District Partnership Manager, California

About Study Smart Study Smart collaborates with partners to promote educational equity, access, and success by providing a diverse range of tools for students, families, and educators. Our mission is grounded in closing opportunity gaps and empowering communities through high-quality, culturally responsive academic support.

Our vision is a world where every student—regardless of background, zip code, or life circumstance—has the opportunity to succeed academically, thrive personally, and realize their full potential. We envision an educational landscape transformed by equitable access, where historically underserved students are empowered through high-quality academic support, strong community partnerships, and inclusive learning environments.

Study Smart seeks to be a national leader in educational equity by bridging opportunity gaps and supporting students holistically. We aim to expand the definition of academic success to include resilience, self-confidence, and community engagement. By fostering collaborative relationships with families, educators, and institutions, we strive to create a future where learning is a shared responsibility and success is within reach for all.

To learn more about Study Smart visit us at www.studysmarttutors.com Position: District Partnership Manager, California The District Partnerships Manager, California is a strategic sales and business development position responsible for expanding Study Smart’s partnerships with K–12 school districts, county offices of education, and education leaders throughout California.

This position will focus primarily on developing new district-level business opportunities while cultivating and expanding strategic relationships with existing partners. The District Partnerships Manager will manage complex K–12 sales cycles from initial outreach and discovery through program design, proposal development, procurement, contracting, and close.

The ideal candidate is an experienced K–12 education sales professional with a strong understanding of the California public education landscape and an established network of district-level relationships and decision-makers. This individual should understand how school districts identify needs, allocate funding, evaluate education partners, navigate procurement, and make purchasing decisions.

The District Partnerships Manager will use their existing network in addition to strategic prospecting, email, phone, conferences, and in-person meetings to establish and grow relationships with district leaders. This position will report directly to the Associate Director of California Partnerships. The District Partnership Manager owns assigned strategic district-level and multi-site sales opportunities, with account assignments and coordination with regional Partnership Managers overseen by the Associate Director of California Partnerships.

Job Responsibilities

Build strategic relationships with current and prospective California K–12 district partners. Develop relationships with district-level decision-makers, including Superintendents, Assistant Superintendents, Cabinet members, Directors, Curriculum & Instruction leaders, Expanded Learning leaders, Student Services teams, and other education administrators.

Leverage an established network of California K–12 contacts to generate introductions, meetings, referrals, and new partnership opportunities. Develop and maintain a healthy pipeline of district-level opportunities to achieve quarterly and annual revenue goals. Manage complex district sales cycles from prospecting and discovery through proposal development, procurement, contracting, and close.

Provide outstanding relationship management to internal and external stakeholders. Conduct consultative discovery conversations to understand district priorities, student needs, funding, implementation requirements, and desired outcomes. When feasible, travel approximately 30% of the time for district meetings, presentations, conferences, planning meetings, and partnership development.

Attend local, regional, and statewide education conferences and events to develop relationships with current and prospective partners. Develop additional district-level sales channels and strategic partnerships. Support renewal and expansion opportunities within existing district partnerships. Increase Study Smart’s footprint and revenue within existing California K–12 partners.

Duties include but are not limited to: Business Development (80%) Conduct strategic outreach through warm introductions, existing relationships, referrals, phone, email, conferences, and in-person meetings. Leverage an existing network of California district leaders and education decision-makers to create pathways for new partnerships.

Identify and engage key decision-makers and influencers within school districts and county offices of education. Conduct pre-call research and consultative discovery to understand district priorities, initiatives, funding sources, academic needs, and existing student support programs. Present Study Smart’s services and develop tailored recommendations based on district needs and desired student outcomes.

Develop customized proposals, scopes of work, presentations, and program recommendations for district partners. Manage opportunities throughout the full sales cycle, including discovery, program design, proposal development, follow-up, procurement, contracting, and close. Navigate California K–12 purchasing processes, including RFPs, RFQs, vendor approvals, board approvals, contracts, and other district procurement requirements.

Maintain knowledge of relevant California and federal education funding sources, including Title I, ELO-P, Community Schools, LCAP priorities, grants, and other categorical or supplemental funding. Proactively develop new district-level business opportunities through outbound sales development activities. Develop strategic territory and account plans for priority California districts and regions.

Accurately enter, update, and maintain lead, opportunity, pipeline, and partner information in Salesforce. Maintain accurate sales forecasts and consistently communicate opportunity status, next steps, decision timelines, and potential risks. Collaborate with marketing to develop campaigns, messaging, events, and initiatives that drive district-level lead generation.

Maintain up-to-date knowledge of California K–12 education trends, district priorities, competitor offerings, funding opportunities, and market conditions. Collaborate with Education and Operations to develop program recommendations and proposals within approved pricing and service parameters, obtaining required internal approvals before committing to pricing exceptions, service delivery requirements, or contract terms.

Account Management (15%) Serve as a strategic point of contact for assigned district partners during the discovery, planning, and initial partnership phases. Build and maintain strong relationships with district stakeholders to understand evolving priorities, program needs, and organizational goals. Conduct regular check-ins and partnership reviews to discuss progress, challenges, outcomes, and opportunities.

Collaborate with internal program, operations, curriculum, implementation, and leadership teams to ensure successful delivery of services. Identify opportunities for renewals, program expansion, cross-selling, and additional districtwide or multi-site partnerships. Develop relationships across multiple departments and stakeholder groups within existing district accounts to strengthen long-term partnerships.

Other Duties (5%) Contribute to overall team efforts by accomplishing related tasks as needed. Collaborate with California Partnership Managers and organizational leadership on regional and statewide growth strategies. Share market intelligence, district trends, competitive insights, and partnership opportunities with internal teams.

Day to day tasks Include Strategic account planning and territory development. Pre-call research, discovery preparation, and meeting planning. Warm and cold outreach to California K–12 district leaders. District-level discovery meetings and presentations. Development and follow-up of proposals and scopes of work. Follow-up with prospective, current, and previous district partners.

Procurement and contracting follow-up. Maintaining accurate Salesforce records, pipeline stages, forecasts, and next steps. Developing relationships with multiple stakeholders within priority districts. Working closely with sales, marketing, curriculum, operations, and leadership teams to develop strategies and messaging that drive new district business.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree required. Minimum 3–5 years of successful K–12 education sales, business development, or district partnership experience. Demonstrated experience independently leading complex district-level sales opportunities, engaging senior education decision-makers, coordinating internal stakeholders, and negotiating and closing high-value partnerships.

Demonstrated experience selling education services, Ed. Tech, curriculum, tutoring, intervention, expanded learning, SaaS, instructional solutions, or other K–12 products/services directly to school districts with contract closing amounts of over $60,000 in annual contract value. Established network of California K–12 district-level contacts and decision-makers, with demonstrated ability to leverage existing relationships to develop new business opportunities.

Proven track record of meeting or exceeding sales and revenue goals. Experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder K–12 sales cycles. Strong understanding of California public school district structures, decision-making processes, purchasing cycles, and procurement requirements. Experience with district RFPs, RFQs, vendor approvals, contracts, proposals, and other procurement processes.

Ability to conduct consultative, needs-based conversations with senior education leaders and translate district priorities into tailored solutions. Strong understanding of the relationship between district priorities, student outcomes, program design, and education funding. Ability to quickly establish credibility and develop trusted relationships with senior district stakeholders.

Exceptional and persuasive communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship-building skills. Strong pipeline management and forecasting capabilities. Proficiency in Google Workspace, Google Drive, Salesforce, and other sales productivity tools. Ability to independently manage a large geographic territory and prioritize high-value opportunities.

Ability to visit district partners throughout California on an as-needed basis. Willingness and ability to travel approximately 30% of the time. Self-motivated with the ability to take direction, develop strategy, and execute independently.

Preferred Qualifications

Existing relationships with California Superintendents, Assistant Superintendents, Cabinet members, Curriculum & Instruction leaders, Expanded Learning leaders, Student Services administrators, and other senior district decision-makers. Experience selling high-dosage tutoring, academic intervention, expanded learning/after-school programming, curriculum, instructional technology, or other student-support services.

Knowledge of California education funding, including ELO-P, LCAP, Community Schools, Title I, and other state and federal funding streams. Experience developing and closing districtwide or multi-site partnerships. Experience representing an education organization at statewide and regional K–12 conferences and industry events.

Salary And Benefits Full-time + benefits Flexible to work in hybrid Salary ranging from $85,000 - $95,000 with uncapped bonus and a target total compensation of $200,000.

Compensation

is based on experience and includes performance-based incentives. Bonus is earned from the start of employment and paid out after a 90-day period. Full-time Benefits: 401(k) Dental insurance Vision insurance Medical insurance Flexible Paid Time Off Referral program Tuition reimbursement First Stop Health Study Smart is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its hiring of employees on the basis of race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation.

For further assistance, contact the recruiting department at Recruiting@Study. Smart. Tutors.com.