Director of District and School Partnerships - Northern/Central NJ / NYC / Hudson County, NY

About the Role

ESS is seeking a highly motivated, strategic, and consultative business development professional to serve as Director of District Partnerships. This individual will be responsible for developing and expanding partnerships with K-12 school districts throughout an assigned territory. The Director of District Partnerships will engage district leaders, including Superintendents, Special Education Directors, Student Services leaders, and other key stakeholders, to identify challenges related to student mental health, special education, staffing, and student support services and align ESS solutions to meet those needs.

Core Competencies & Success Profile

Revenue Accountability & Performance

- Consistently achieves or exceeds quarterly and annual revenue targets. - Demonstrates success generating revenue through both new district acquisition and expansion of existing partnerships. - Maintains a healthy pipeline capable of supporting long-term territory growth. - Uses performance metrics and data to inform strategy and prioritize opportunities.

Territory Knowledge & Strategic Planning

- Maintains a strong understanding of district, regional, and state educational trends, funding opportunities, policy developments, and student mental health initiatives. - Develops and executes territory plans that balance new business development, account expansion, and long-term partnership growth. - Identifies high-priority districts and proactively pursues emerging opportunities.

Relationship Building & Partnership Development

- Builds trusted relationships with district leaders, including Superintendents, Assistant Superintendents, Special Education Directors, Student Services leaders, and school administrators. - Effectively develops partnerships within both existing ESS districts and new prospective accounts. - Successfully converts cold and warm leads into long-term district partnerships. - Collaborates with ESS leadership, clinical teams, operations, and marketing resources to maximize district engagement.

Consultative Selling & Solution Alignment

- Leads strategic conversations to uncover district challenges related to staffing shortages, student mental health needs, compliance requirements, and service gaps. - Aligns ESS solutions to district priorities through thoughtful recommendations and customized proposals. - Positions ESS as a strategic partner rather than a transactional vendor. - Demonstrates deep knowledge of ESS services, industry trends, and competitive offerings.

Stakeholder Influence & Champion Development

- Identifies and develops relationships with key decision-makers, influencers, champions, and economic buyers. - Creates and maintains stakeholder maps within target accounts. - Builds internal advocates who support ESS initiatives and partnership growth.

Pipeline Management & Operational Excellence

- Maintains accurate and timely Salesforce documentation, including opportunity stages, stakeholder engagement, account plans, and forecasting. - Demonstrates disciplined prospecting activity and consistent pipeline development. - Utilizes CRM data and reporting to drive accountability and revenue performance.

Required Qualifications

- Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred. - Minimum of 5 years of experience in consultative sales, business development, strategic partnerships, or account management within education, mental health, special education, student services, edtech, SEL, curriculum, or related sectors. - Demonstrated experience working directly with K-12 school districts and district-level decision-makers. - Proven track record of meeting or exceeding quarterly and annual revenue targets. - Experience managing long-cycle sales processes involving multiple stakeholders and decision-makers. - Experience using Salesforce or similar CRM systems for pipeline management, forecasting, and account planning. - Strong verbal, written, presentation, and negotiation skills.

Preferred Qualifications

- Experience in school-based mental health, special education, student support services, or behavioral healthcare. - Knowledge of state and federal education funding streams, including ESSA, IDEA, Medicaid reimbursement, Title funding, and mental health grants. - Experience presenting to Superintendents, Boards of Education, Special Education Directors, and other executive-level education leaders. - Demonstrated success developing new business while expanding existing district partnerships. - Background demonstrating commitment to student success, educational equity, mental health, or public education.

Salary

$125,000 annually

ESS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class. Create a Job Alert Interested in building your career at Effective School Solutions? Get future opportunities sent straight to your email. Apply for this job * indicates a required field