Manager of Strategic Partnerships
Position Summary:
The Manager of Strategic Partnerships is responsible for driving high-value, complex new business through strategic relationships, senior-level district engagement, and partner-led growth. This role focuses on enterprise and system-level opportunities, bundled solutions, and multi-year engagements aligned to Studer Education’s improvement model.
Using a consultative, partnership-driven sales approach, the Manager of Strategic Partnerships develops and activates referral networks, engages senior decision-makers, and advances complex opportunities through the sales pipeline in close collaboration with internal teams. This role is expected to build influence-based pathways into districts and organizations, creating sustainable, repeatable sources of pipeline beyond traditional outbound prospecting.
This position plays a critical role in expanding Studer Education’s strategic footprint and accelerating revenue growth through partnerships, referrals, and high-trust relationships.
Desired Outcomes:
- Consistently meet or exceed revenue targets through complex, multi-stakeholder sales.
- Build and activate a strong portfolio of strategic partners and referral sources that generate qualified pipeline.
- Advance and close enterprise-level opportunities aligned to Studer Education’s bundled solutions and improvement frameworks.
- Establish trusted, long-term relationships with senior district leaders, associations, and partner organizations.
- Maintain strong pipeline health, deal progression, and forecast accuracy.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Sales & Growth
- Generate new revenue from complex, high-value opportunities not currently served by Studer Education.
- Lead consultative sales conversations with senior district leaders and organizational partners, aligning solutions to strategic priorities and system-level needs.
- Manage enterprise and multi-stakeholder sales processes from opportunity qualification through close, ensuring disciplined deal progression.
- Define and execute territory and account strategies focused on strategic penetration, partner influence, and long-term growth.
Partnership & Referral Activation
- Develop, activate, and manage strategic partnerships that create consistent referral-based pipeline.
- Proactively solicit referrals from satisfied clients, partners, consultants, and network relationships.
- Identify and cultivate new partnership opportunities with associations, regional organizations, and aligned entities.
- Collaborate with internal leaders to formalize referral strategies, messaging, and follow-up processes.
Pipeline Management & Collaboration
- Maintain accurate pipeline data, forecasting, and reporting within CRM systems.
- Work closely with internal teams (SEM, coaching, marketing, events, and operations) to align resources and ensure solution fit.
- Prepare and deliver high-impact presentations, proposals, and pricing aligned to complex client needs.
- Participate in strategic planning conversations to continuously refine go-to-market and partnership strategies.
Market Presence & Thought Leadership
- Represent Studer Education at industry conferences, meetings, and events to build credibility and expand strategic relationships.
- Stay informed on education trends, district challenges, and competitive dynamics to position solutions effectively.
- Share market insights and partnership intelligence with sales leadership to inform strategy and decision-making.
- Other duties as assigned by sales leadership.
Skills and Qualifications:
- 5–7+ years of successful B2B sales experience, preferably in education, consulting, or complex services environments.
- Proven ability to close complex, consultative, enterprise-level deals involving multiple stakeholders.
- Demonstrated success building and leveraging partnerships and referral networks to drive revenue.
- Strong executive presence with the ability to engage senior leaders and build trust-based relationships.
- Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills.
- Highly organized and disciplined in CRM usage, pipeline management, and forecasting.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to identify growth opportunities and influence outcomes.
- Collaborative mindset with experience working cross-functionally.
- Willingness to travel for strategic meetings, conferences, and relationship-building activities.
- Self-directed, goal-oriented, and motivated by uncapped earning potential.
- Willingness to travel for client meetings, industry conferences, and networking events as required.
- Goal-oriented with a proactive mindset to achieve sales targets independently.
Compensation and Benefits:
- Annual Base Salary: $70,000
- On-Target Earnings (OTE): $140,000
- Commission: Uncapped, performance-based
- Benefits: 401k, medical, dental, vision, employer-paid STD/LTD, employer-paid life insurance, unlimited PTO, technology stipend, monthly cell phone reimbursement