VP of Corporate Partnerships

Creative Learning Systems is in a high-growth position and hiring a Vice President of Corporate Partnerships is a strategic initiative to support the company’s future growth.  In partnership with the CEO, this position is responsible for kicking off a brand-new initiative for the company and to own the overall strategy and execution of this new department.  The Vice President of Corporate Partnerships will own the development of a pipeline of partnership opportunities and eventually a partner portfolio made of up Corporations, Foundations and Social Impact organizations that share a mission to positively impact student achievement.  The ideal portfolio will represent a broad array of industries with programmatic focus on initiatives in critical areas such as STEM/STEAM, college and workforce readiness, career and technical education and equity. 

The ideal candidate is a passionate, growth-focused, self-starter, metrics-driven leader with strong strategic and execution skills.  The candidate must have a collaborative approach, excellent presentation and communication skills and passionate about improving student outcomes through successful partnership programs.    

In this role, it will be critical to collaborate and create alignment with other functional leaders and contributors at all levels across the company and bring insights and observed trends to conversations that influence change, help the company to be agile and create value for our partners.   

Essential Responsibilities

• Lead the development, communication and implementation of the vision and strategy of the Corporate Partnerships.
• Identify partnership opportunities by identifying prospects, conducting research and initiating outreach.
• Partner with Marketing on partner facing assets and campaigns needed to develop and manage a robust and diversified pipeline.   
• Maintain professional and technical knowledge of all products and service options.
• Maintain accurate pipeline and customer records at all times.
• Contribute to professional atmosphere through positive interaction with partners, customers, prospects, colleagues and leadership. 
• Manage projects to ensure that all partner deliverables are aligned with partner strategy, goals and objectives. 
• Manage all partner program results, and research findings to proactively identify marketing opportunities to expand, enhance and extent initial initiatives. 
• Understand overall business priorities for each partner and identify new opportunities to deliver additional value. 
• Guide and collaborate with cross-functional teams on overall development and execution of program deliverables. 
• Manage key partner/business issues and involve strategic partners, as needed.
• Establish performance metrics, and build repeatable processes, systems, and reporting cadences from the ground up that provides realistic forecasts.
• Once a proof-of-concept is established, advise on structuring and growing a high preforming Corporate Partnerships organization who are focused on growing new and existing partner impact. 
• Collaborate with leaders across the business to connect Corporate Partnerships focus with the overall company strategy and key initiatives. 
• Work closely with sales management and Regional Sales Managers to align on driving opportunities with strategic and/or geographic focus. 

Requirements

• Experienced, connected and respected sales or business development executive with minimum 5-7 years of direct partnership, account facing, sales and/or business development responsibility.

• Bachelor’s degree in business management, communications, marketing, education or equivalent work experience.

• Proven ability to meet and exceed aggressive targets and achieve business objectives in entrepreneurial environment. 
• Highly organized, able to prioritize and driven by a strong work ethic, sense of urgency and accountability. 
• Willing to travel up to 50% to meet with partners, attend conferences and events and strategic company meetings.
• Demonstrated success and current capability to simultaneously build and execute a Corporate Partnership strategy.
• Excellent leader and natural communicator with effective influencing skills, who can inspire confidence and drive results.
• Ability to implement foundational departmental processes and systems to support growth and scale initiatives.
• Experience delivering timely and defendable forecasts, reporting and analysis for leadership.
• Experience developing incentives and promotions to keep a team motivated, productive and rewarded.
• Track record of success developing monthly, quarterly and annual goals, thresholds and rules of engagement.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively work cross-functionally and maintain a customer-first, results-driven, team-oriented environment.
• Experience with Salesforce.com.

Desired Personal Characteristics:

• Trustworthy; personal and professional integrity in all that s/he does.
• Empathetic and self-aware leader with good listening skills.
• Intelligent and driven to succeed with a high energy level.
• Ability to buy into the mission of CLS and produce meaningful outcomes for educators and students.
• Demonstrates confidence and credibility.
• A bias for action, speed and agility.
• A competitive spirit and sense of entrepreneurship.
• Ability to contextualize opportunities and decisions within “the big picture.”
• A natural command of the details and ability to provide accurate data and analytics.

Benefits

• Strong connection to the purpose of your work, knowing you’re helping teachers and students grow
• Working with delightful people at a flourishing company
• Full benefits package
• Company pays 3% of salary into 401k (regardless of employee contribution amount)
• Competitive salary (base range for this position: $150,000-$190,000 base, commensurate with experience)