Sales Manager - Education Channel (K-12)

Job Description Job Description Sales Manager - Education Channel (K-12) Thames & Kosmos | Providence, RI (hybrid, with flexibility for the right candidate) We are specifically seeking candidates with direct experience working with K-12 schools or districts. ABOUT THE ROLE Thames & Kosmos is a leading producer of STEM kits, educational toys, and board games. Our products are designed to spark curiosity and help students learn through hands-on exploration. We partner with educators, families, and schools to make learning more engaging, meaningful, and fun. We are looking for a Sales Manager to help grow our K-12 education business. This is a strong fit for someone who understands how schools and districts make purchasing decisions and is excited to build relationships that bring high-quality learning tools into classrooms. This is a new role — you will be helping build our K-12 channel strategy from the ground up. There is real opportunity to grow into increasing ownership and responsibility as the channel expands. WHAT YOU'LL DO Grow the Education Channel * Build and manage a pipeline of opportunities across public, private, and charter schools, career and technical education (CTE) programs, homeschool organizations, and enrichment programs * Develop relationships with schools, districts, education distributors, and resellers to expand reach * Identify and pursue funding opportunities tied to school budgets, grants, and philanthropic programs * Represent Thames & Kosmos at education conferences, trade shows, and events Engage Educators and Decision-Makers * Connect with teachers, curriculum coordinators, and administrators to understand their needs and purchasing processes * Present products in a way that supports classroom use and measurable learning outcomes * Develop and deliver educator-focused trainings, workshops, and product demos Help Shape the Channel * Share educator feedback to inform product development and support materials * Partner with internal teams across Sales, Product Development, and Marketing to improve how we serve the education market * Grow into greater ownership of accounts, strategy, and team resources over time WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE * Strong, trusted relationships with school and district partners that drive repeat business * Increased adoption of Thames & Kosmos products in classrooms and programs * A well-defined K-12 channel strategy with a clear pipeline and growing revenue * Internal teams better informed by educator needs and market insight WHAT YOU'LL BRING Required * 2-5 years of experience in education sales, account management, or a role with direct exposure to K-12 schools or districts — including candidates coming from within education who are ready to move into a sales-focused role * Solid understanding of how schools purchase materials: budgets, approval processes, funding sources, and working through distributors * Experience communicating with educators, administrators, or institutional buyers * Strong organizational and communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple accounts and priorities independently Helpful (but not required) * Familiarity with how educational distributors operate within the K-12 buying ecosystem and how they serve schools and districts * Familiarity with STEM products, curriculum, or classroom resources * Familiarity with educational standards (NGSS, CCSS, or similar frameworks) * Experience with CRM tools or sales tracking systems COMPENSATION & BENEFITS Competitive base salary, commensurate with experience, plus performance bonus * Full company-paid health, vision, and dental insurance for employee and family * Generous paid time off and holidays * Parental and caregiver leave * Health and wellness stipend * 401(k) options available * Hybrid work environment — Providence, RI preferred; flexibility considered for the right candidate * Travel: approximately 20-30% annually Thames & Kosmos offers a collaborative, mission-driven environment where curiosity is genuinely valued. This role is an opportunity to do meaningful work that brings hands-on learning experiences into classrooms — and to grow with a company that takes education seriously. ABOUT THAMES & KOSMOS Thames & Kosmos (T&K) is a publisher of products that inspire kids and families to think deeper, play longer, and figure stuff out. T&K makes science kits, strategy games, activity toys, and curricula that make learning enjoyable and effective. The T&K brand is highly regarded by parents, teachers, and the toy and game industries, and its products have earned hundreds of accolades including TIME's Best Inventions, the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Awards, and the Toy of the Year Awards. T&K is headquartered in Providence, RI, and is the North American subsidiary of Franckh-Kosmos Verlags-GmbH & Co. KG. thamesandkosmos.com HOW TO APPLY Please submit a resume and optional cover letter. We'd love to hear about your experience with K-12 schools or districts and what draws you to this role.