What we're looking for
InStride is looking for an experienced Director, Corporate Partnerships to fuel new corporate partner growth and revenue in multiple verticals especially hospitality, retail and franchised organizations. As a pivotal member of InStride’s commercial organization, the Director, Corporate Partnerships has the exciting opportunity to help shape leading employers’ workforce education programs, guiding them from legacy tuition assistance models to a new, innovative approach that delivers value for both the corporate partner and the employee. This role will report to the Group Vice President, Corporate Partnerships.
Skills we’d love to see you show off:
- Strategic thinking and business acumen: Ability to navigate complex deal cycles including the ability to work multiple deals at once (including both late- and early-stage opportunities). Experience managing multiple opportunities simultaneously, and creating tailored strategies for success.
- Emotional intelligence and relationship building: Skilled at establishing trust in diverse settings, fostering collaboration, and negotiating win-win outcomes.
- Exceptional communication and storytelling: Proficient in influencing and inspiring stakeholders through clear and compelling narratives.
- Collaborative account management: Experienced in partnering with internal stakeholders to drive account strategies and achieve shared goals.
- Data and technology proficiency: Expertise in using Salesforce for CRM management and maintaining accurate pipeline and forecast data.
- Mission-driven mindset: Dedicated to excellence in sales while contributing to meaningful social impact. Preferred experience in franchise, hospitality and retail is an added advantage.
Who you are:
- Seller that can drive large strategic deals to close while also creating your own leads and pipeline. This role requires an action bias towards prospecting while executing in flight deals and managing a deal team.
- A minimum of 10+ years of related sales/business development/corporate partnership experience, preferably selling tech-enabled services, education, edtech, SAAS, benefits, or HCM solutions to C-level executives in franchise, hospitality, retail or other large front line employee organizations.
- Track record of achievement - consistently meeting or exceeding quota.
- Proficiency in consultative / value based selling with demonstrated ability to deliver results
- Ability to navigate tough situations, internally and externally, and to negotiate the best outcome for all.
- Highly empathetic, you enjoy connecting with diverse groups of stakeholders
- Experience partnering with internal stakeholders on account strategies throughout the prospect journey.
- Driven by a desire for excellence in the sales craft, constantly striving to improve and demonstrating learning agility.
- Comfort with ambiguity and a “no job too small” startup mentality.
- Excited by the challenge of building a world-class business that delivers not only high revenue growth, but also has a meaningful impact on society.
How you will create impact:
Here on InStride’s commercial team, we are passionate about building tailored solutions that drive towards relevant outcomes and further our corporate partners’ business, talent and community objectives. We aim to provide a best-in-class experience for our corporate partners – from the pre-sale process through to launch and beyond – as well as for our learners. The Director, Corporate Partnerships plays a critical role in these efforts by:
- Leading a deal team, composed of a business development representative and marketing support, that is focused on prioritizing, targeting, creating and closing net new and expansion opportunities within the assigned territory.
- Developing a deep understanding of InStride’s offerings, our mission, and the competitive landscape
- Leveraging business acumen and strategic thinking to define a clear value proposition for each prospect, creating tailored approaches for each account
- Gaining buy-in from potential partners through relationship building and consultative partnership, aligning on desired outcomes and how InStride can help deliver on them.
- Collaborating effectively with internal stakeholders throughout the selling process as you design, present, and close complex solutions.
- Communicating effectively with an ability to influence executive and C-staff leaders both internally (e.g. InStride Advisory Board) and externally.
- Utilizing Salesforce to maintain accurate and timely corporate partner, pipeline and forecast data.
- Traveling as necessary.
