Business Development Manager

The Business Development Manager partners with the Senior Director of Strategy and Development to further SustainED Leaders’ business development goals and obtain adequate funding to ensure the organization’s long-term sustainability. In partnership with the Senior Director of Strategy and Development, this role owns the execution and continuous improvement of business development, research, and brand‑building activities that strengthen organizational impact and positions SustainED Leaders for sustainable growth. Strategic Growth & Partnerships Support the execution of growth initiatives for SustainED Leaders that includes programmatic expansion to schools, districts, and university partners Cultivate and develop strong, collaborative relationships with leaders of partner organizations, including schools, districts, institutes of higher education, TEA, etc Identify and build strategic alliances and partnerships with organizations in related but not competing fields (e.g., consulting firms that place superintendents) that could provide a source of new business Ensure exceptional partnership experiences through proactive relationship management, regular stakeholder engagement, and responsive communication, leading to high levels of stakeholder satisfaction and renewal. Analyze pipeline trends and partnership data to inform sales targets, forecasting, and strategic growth priorities. Lead the development and stewardship of strategic partnerships that expand SustainED Leaders' impact and contribute to sustainable organizational growth. Identify and cultivate prospective partnership opportunities and conduct discovery conversations to understand partner priorities and needs. Develop tailored pitch decks, scopes of work, and presentations that align SustainED Leaders' offerings to partner priorities and needs. Manage CRM systems and maintain accurate pipeline information to support forecasting, sales planning, and organizational decision‑making. Coordinate contract development, proposal revisions, and pricing scenarios in partnership with the Finance & Operations team and SDBD. Drive client communications and ensure timely follow‑up throughout the sales cycle. Ensure smooth transitions from partnership development to program implementation through effective communication and cross‑functional collaboration. Manage ongoing partner relationships and contribute to long‑term partnership success, renewals, and expansion opportunities. Codify and streamline sales processes, developing customizable templates and assets to reduce time spent per deal while ensuring consistency and quality. Philanthropy & Impact Communications Support the development of diversified funding strategies that strengthen organizational sustainability. Work in connection with the SDBD and program team to develop routine progress reports and updates with key stakeholders and partners. Support thought leadership and define marketing programs and outreach initiatives across channels that positions SustainED Leaders as the national leading expert in the field. Develop and disseminate high‑quality program collateral, including reports, case studies, and other materials, as needed. Lead the planning, promotion, and execution of in‑person and virtual events (e.g., conferences, webinars, partner convenings) that elevate SustainED's visibility and deepen stakeholder engagement. Program Research & Development Lead research and analysis that informs future growth opportunities and service offerings. Research the education landscape in Texas to understand the needs of schools and districts. Contribute to the design and refinement of new program opportunities to help the organization increase its impact. Data Analysis & Interpretation Analyze student achievement and program outcomes to identify key trends and the core drivers of organizational performance. Provide data‑driven recommendations to align organizational and programmatic priorities to strongest impact levers. Interpret NPS, renewal rates, and growth metrics to provide actionable recommendations for programming and business development. Evaluate district and internal survey data to measure program efficacy and drive improvements in support services and team engagement. Translate program impact data into compelling narratives to support business development and marketing initiatives. Socialize findings across departments to build data literacy and empower leaders to make evidence‑based strategic decisions. Other Duties Take on special projects on an ad hoc basis as needed based on organizational needs. Perform other related duties as assigned to support organizational goals. Position Locations Dallas, Austin, or Houston, Texas Demonstrated Skills & Attributes Experience in an education‑related field and knowledge and experience working with school districts. Strong understanding of HQIM implementation and products, such as Bluebonnet Learning, and TEA grant cycles (LASO, LIFT, etc.). Exceptional ability to build diverse stakeholder relationships and manage partner relationships with a focus on collaboration, accountability, and clear, professional communication. Ability to adapt quickly and make sound decisions in fast‑paced settings while remaining open to multiple rounds of feedback. Desire to contribute to the growth of a transformative startup organization. Deeply held commitment to the belief that all students can achieve at high levels, regardless of background, coupled with a results‑oriented approach to maximizing growth. Experience in education and/or data science with an emphasis on qualitative and quantitative interpretation Proven ability to look beyond the “what” of the data to explain the “why,” specifically within a K‑12 or educational non‑profit context A deep understanding of educational metrics (student achievement, teacher growth, etc.) and a passion for utilizing data to drive equity and impact Experience developing performance metrics and using data analysis to achieve measurable results and inform decision‑making. If has sales experience, proven track record of contributing to and executing effective sales strategies and closing deals to meet or exceed sales goals. Education & Experience Bachelor’s degree in education, business, or related field, or commensurate experience Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in education, consulting, business development, or a related field. Minimum of 3 years working in the K‑12 education sector (school, district, nonprofit, or education‑focused organization), including interfacing regularly with school or district leadership Preferred: Minimum of 1 year leading or contributing to development work, such as partnerships, client engagement, program development, or sales‑related activities. Other Requirements Willingness and ability to travel A valid driver’s license and a reliable vehicle Commitment to Core Values SustainED Leaders operates with a commitment to its core values and seeks to build a team of individuals who share a commitment to those core values. Builds Trusting Relationships Utilizes Evidence‑Based Practices Thinks & Acts Strategically Commits to Excellence Continuously Learns & Improves Leads Courageously This is a hybrid role that includes a combination of remote work, in‑person meetings, and travel to partner and prospective partner sites for in‑field work. This role requires regular local travel (typically 2–3 days per week) alongside monthly trips within Texas and occasional national travel for conferences. Frequency may increase, including multiple out‑of‑town trips per month, during peak seasons or to meet partner and organizational needs. Evening and weekend commitments are required during key seasons to support conferences, board meetings, networking events, and key organizational initiatives. Remote work and virtual meetings will generally be completed from a home office. Regular work hours are 8 am to 5 pm but will vary based on organizational needs, travel requirements, and conference and event schedule. This role requires the ability to sit, stand, and move throughout the workday and may occasionally require lifting or transporting materials weighing up to 25 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. Salary & Benefits The starting salary range for this position is $80,000 - $90,000 . SustainED Leaders offers a competitive benefits package designed to support our team’s total well‑being, including: Comprehensive Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision coverage with employer-sponsored contributions Retirement Savings: Retirement plan with employer matching contributions up to 3% and 100% immediate vesting, subject to plan terms and eligibility Bonuses: Eligibility for discretionary, performance‑based bonuses up to 4% of base salary, based on individual performance and organizational goal achievement Paid Time Off: Generous PTO and paid organization holidays Travel Support: Travel reimbursement and/or mileage stipend for field‑based work FLSA Status: Exempt About SustainED Leaders SustainED Leaders is a nonprofit organization focused on transformational leadership in public education so that all children can attend a school where the adults have the courage, commitment and capacity to maximize learning and growth for all students. SustainED Leaders designs and delivers training and personalized coaching to aspiring and existing school leaders that builds their capacity to lead continuous instructional improvement in schools. Our training and coaching focuses on supporting educators to implement evidence and research‑based practices and high‑quality instructional materials that accelerate the learning and growth of all students. #J-18808-Ljbffr