Strategic Partnerships Director

The purpose of Zearn

Zearn is the nonprofit educational organization whose mission is to inspire all kids to love learning math. Everything we do is driven by our belief that every kid is a math kid. Our top-rated learning platform is designed to catch kids up and move them forward in grade-level math. And it works. Large-scale efficacy research shows students who use Zearn make significant gains in math proficiency, including the students who start multiple grade levels behind.

The vital importance of learning math today is hard to understate, and yet today, it is common to think that only some are born to achieve in math. Math learning is often disparaged and feared (e.g. I'd rather go to the dentist than do algebra) or viewed as a special interest or luxury (e.g. if kids don't have a passion for math that is okay, maybe they have a passion for pottery). We don't look at learning to read the same way. Zearn exists to help create a world where all children love learning math. 

As a nonprofit, all of our work is driven by what is best for kids. At the same time, we operate as an intense and fast-moving technology company, inclusively solving hard problems that will impact current and future generations. The problems we solve require expertise in pedagogy, software development, persuasion, psychology, design, writing, video production, problem solving, and countless other disciplines. As an organization that is always stretching to get to the next level of impact, every single person owns mission critical work. If you’re ready to join our Team of problem solvers, and own work that will drive us to achieve impact at scale, we are looking for you.

Learn more about us at https://about.zearn.org/.

At Zearn, we're on a mission to transform education, and our partnerships with state and district organizations are key to making that happen. As the Strategic Partnerships Director, you'll play a central role in strengthening these relationships and creating new opportunities to expand our impact. You’ll work closely with the CEO, Chief Partnership Officer, and senior leaders, giving you the chance to influence high-level strategies and decisions. Your work will focus on cultivating relationships with strategic partners, staying attuned to education policy and market trends, and ensuring our solutions meet the needs of states, districts, and schools. This role is an opportunity to take ownership of critical initiatives, deepen meaningful partnerships, and drive positive change in education.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Partnerships Development:

• Cultivate High-Level Relationships: Lead the development of deep, trust-based connections with key state and district stakeholders, engaging regularly with senior decision-makers to align on goals and drive sustainable impact.
• Inspire Trust and Collaboration: Act as a thought partner to shape strategic goals while ensuring Zearn’s solutions are integral to strategic partnership success.
• Tailor Strategic Value Propositions: Develop high-touch, tailored presentations, proposals, and initiatives that speak directly to the specific needs of each partner, ensuring that Zearn is positioned as an indispensable partner in advancing their educational priorities.

Strategic Partnership Expertise & Execution:

• Stay Ahead of Market Trends: Lead the charge in understanding and preparing for state-level policies, educational trends, and legislation. Leverage these insights to craft partnership strategies and keep Zearn’s offerings at the forefront of educational transformation.
• Manage Performance & Drive Results: Work alongside Zearn’s Partner Success Directors to closely monitor outcomes, proactively identify risks, and ensure the flawless execution of collaborative initiatives that maximize impact and Partner satisfaction.
• Ensure Seamless Execution Across Teams: Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align resources, ensuring that partnerships are supported from inception through to renewal with operational excellence.

Future Strategic Partnership Vision:

• Identify and Forge New Strategic Opportunities: Harness deep market knowledge and an understanding of educational trends to proactively identify and seize high-potential strategic partnership opportunities.
• Develop and Execute a Scalable Growth Strategy: Lead efforts to build and maintain a robust pipeline of strategic partners, working closely with the executive team to set ambitious strategic partnership growth goals.

The Next Problems for this Role to Solve

• How can we adapt our partnership strategies in response to market shifts and legislative changes?
• How can we build and strengthen our relationships with key stakeholders in our existing strategic partners to ensure long-term collaboration?
• What strategies can we use to identify and pursue new strategic partnership opportunities, utilizing market insights to create value propositions that resonate with potential strategic partners?
• How can we proactively build and maintain a strong pipeline of strategic partners, staying ahead of emerging market trends and regulatory changes?

Skills You Bring to the Table

To achieve immediate impact in this role, The Partner Strategy Director should possess a strong foundation in these skills, along with a genuine passion for continuous growth and development through coaching and hands-on learning.

• Strategic and Results-Oriented: You can see the big picture while executing on the smallest details, consistently driving projects to completion and delivering measurable success. You excel at synthesizing data and insights to identify key growth opportunities and impactful solutions.
• Collaborative Leadership: You thrive in cross-functional environments, working closely with senior leadership and teams to drive alignment and achieve shared goals.
• Relationship-Driven: You’re a pro at building and nurturing strong, long-term relationships with both external partners and internal stakeholders. You ensure that all parties are aligned and focused on collective success. To support this, you are eager to travel 1-2 times per month to engage live with partners across the country.
• Communication Expert: You have a skill for distilling complex policy and market information into clear, engaging materials that resonate with diverse audiences. Your ability to craft data-driven narratives ensures you influence key decisions and drive action across stakeholders.

Potential markers of these skills

• Bachelor’s degree in business, education, public policy, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• 7+ years of professional experience, including 5+ years in a strategic, business development, or strategic partnership role.
• Proven ability to develop and execute strategic plans that drive partner engagement and business growth.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with a demonstrated ability to build relationships with senior-level executives.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

Location

This role is remote and can performed in any of the following states:  

CA, CT, FL, IL, LA, MA, NC, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, TX, VA, WA, WI and Washington D.C.  

Compensation and Benefits

The compensation range for this role is $135,000-$185,000 per year. We offer a competitive benefits package, including comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, 401K matching, parental leave, a generous Holiday policy, and a flexible PTO policy. We also offer a collegial and passionate culture and the potential to positively impact the lives of millions of children.

TO APPLY:

Zearn is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.