Partnerships Manager

Today, 67% of students and 82% of low-income students can’t read at grade level by the end of third grade. That’s when students are supposed to go from learning to read to reading to learn. It’s America’s number one education crisis and we know how to fix it.

Ignite Reading delivers one-to-one virtual tutoring that teaches every student the foundational skills they need to become a confident, fluent reader. We pair students who need extra support with expert reading tutors who provide daily, 15-minute, Science of Reading-based instruction that rapidly closes their decoding gaps. We focus on the foundational reading skills—phonics, phonemic awareness, and sight words—kids need to master so they can decode a sentence. Students in Ignite Reading’s program achieve over 2 weeks of reading skills growth per week of instruction, and notably all students achieve the same outstanding results including students with IEPs, multilingual learners, students of color and those receiving free or reduced-price lunch.

Ignite Reading is a mission-driven public benefit corporation. We believe we can do well for our team members and shareholders while we solve one of the nation’s biggest challenges. We believe we will be more successful with a diverse team and are seeking candidates who have lived experience related to social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Your Role

As a Partnerships Manager, you are at the heart of our mission to ensure every child has the chance to become a confident reader. You’ll spend your days connecting with small-to-mid-sized K–12 districts, sharing how Ignite Reading’s 1:1 virtual literacy program can change their students' lives.

This is a full-cycle sales journey where your discipline and curiosity shine. You’ll guide districts through thoughtful discovery and clear execution, ensuring our solutions fit their unique needs. While you’ll take the lead on most partnerships, you’re never alone—our senior team is always ready to step in and support you with complex contracts or pricing. If you are a Science of Reading enthusiast who loves building meaningful relationships and wants to help kids access the instruction they deserve, we’d love to meet you.

Key Responsibilities

• Prospect, qualify, and close new district opportunities within defined territory parameters

• Own Discovery → Demo → Proposal → Contract for assigned accounts

• Meet quarterly and annual quota targets

• Build pipeline through outbound prospecting, events, referrals, and SDR-sourced leads

• Conduct structured discovery using MEDDPICC methodology

• Run certified Ignite Reading demos once certified

• Focus on small-to-mid-sized districts

• Navigate multi-stakeholder environments with structured buying processes

• Escalate enterprise-level or state-wide opportunities to Director/VP

• Partner with Customer Success for smooth handoffs post-close

• Support pilots as pathways to broader adoption

• Collaborate with Directors on complex or high-value opportunities when required

Qualifications

• 2–4 years of experience in K–12 education technology sales with consistent quota attainment

• Experience selling to principals, curriculum directors, literacy coordinators, and school-level leaders

• Exposure to district procurement processes

• Demonstrated ability to independently manage small-to-mid-sized district opportunities from prospecting through close

• Active use of AI tools (ChatGPT, Claude, or similar) to improve research, outreach personalization, and call preparation

• Strong CRM discipline and comfort using tools such as HubSpot and conversation intelligence platforms

• A mindset of optimization — you consistently look for ways to improve efficiency, increase conversion rates, and shorten sales cycles

• Clear, confident communicator who can educate district stakeholders without overcomplicating the message

• Coachable and growth-oriented — you actively seek feedback and apply it quickly

• Ownership mentality — you manage your pipeline with discipline and accountability

• Resilient and persistent — you handle rejection professionally and stay focused on long-term wins

• Detail-oriented with strong HubSpot hygiene and reliable follow-through

• Willingness to travel up to 65-70%

  • We have a strong preference for candidates in the West Coast, Mountain West, and Midwest regions.

• Genuine passion for literacy equity and closing achievement gaps

• Energy and optimism even in challenging environments

• Commitment to serving students and educators, not just hitting numbers

At Ignite Reading, we've embraced a transparent compensation structure to promote fairness and equity, provide accountability, and build trust within our organization.

Salary: $90,000 base / OTE $180K+ (this role is full-time, exempt)

The same role receives the same compensation, with no negotiation.

We also ensure you have the tools you need to thrive both in and out of work.

📈 Employee Stock Options - we want our success to be yours too

🩺 Medical, Dental, and Vision plans to support you and your well-being (80% employee coverage, 70% dependent coverage)

🏥 Short-term Disability (100% employer paid)

🏦 401(k) retirement plans with company contribution

👶 12-weeks paid parental leave

🌴 Unlimited vacation days (+ 12 paid holidays)

💻 Technology Stipend

🧘 Wellness Stipend

🛟 Voluntary Life Insurance

👩‍💻 Professional Development Stipend

We believe in building and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace environment. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer where all applicants are considered for employment without attention to color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status. Research shows that candidates from underrepresented backgrounds often don't apply for roles if they don't meet all the criteria – unlike majority candidates meeting significantly fewer requirements. We strongly encourage you to apply if you’re interested!

We are seeking candidates who have lived experience related to social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are a virtual organization with headquarters in the California Bay Area.