The Managing Director specializing in Business Development at Zero Dropouts leads efforts in expanding partnerships, securing funding, and driving revenue growth. They play a critical role in developing and implementing strategies to advance the organization's mission and achieve its long-term goals while embracing principles of interconnectedness, adaptability, and sustainability.

The Executive Team at Zero Dropouts is composed of three Managing Directors who share responsibility for developing and executing the organization's strategic vision, fostering a positive culture, and overseeing brand reputation and fiscal management. They also provide guidance in sustainability initiatives, operations optimization, and marketing efforts, ensuring alignment with organizational goals to adapt to changing conditions and maximize impact.

Shared Responsibilities of the Executive Team:

• Prioritize the financial health and sustainability of the organization by making sound financial decisions that support long-term growth and profitability.
• Monitor key financial metrics, identify areas for improvement, and implement strategies to enhance operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
• Regularly communicate and coordinate to leverage synergies and optimize resource allocation across different functional areas.
• Engage in open and transparent dialogue to make informed decisions that benefit the company as a whole.
• Seek consensus whenever possible but be prepared to make decisive choices when needed to drive the business forward.
• Lead by example in upholding the company's culture, values, and ethical standards.
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment where all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their best.
• Serve as ambassadors for the company, representing its interests and values in external engagements, including with customers, partners, investors, and the broader community.
• Present a united front in communicating the company's vision, mission, and strategic priorities to stakeholders.
• Work together to develop and implement succession plans to ensure continuity of leadership and smooth transitions.
• Share knowledge, insights, and experiences to strengthen the leadership bench and build a resilient organization for the future.
• Collaborate on risk assessment and mitigation strategies to proactively address potential threats to the business.
• Coordinate crisis response efforts to effectively manage and mitigate any disruptions to operations or reputation.
• Support each other's personal and professional growth by providing constructive feedback, mentorship, and opportunities for learning and development.
• Act as sounding boards and trusted advisors to help each other navigate challenges and capitalize on opportunities.
• Develop a portfolio of consulting services that align with client needs, market demand, and the company's areas of expertise.
• Oversee the operations, human resources, and general administration of the organization.
• Promote an environment that encourages creative thinking, risk-taking, and continuous improvement, aligning with the overall business development strategy.

Managing Director - Business Development - Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning:

• Develop and execute comprehensive business development plans aligned with Zero Dropouts LLC's objectives and growth targets, while fostering resilience, responsiveness, and collaboration.
• Evaluate the resources available for implementing the business development plans - including financial resources, human capital, technology, marketing, public relations, and social media - in order to ensure that the plans are feasible given the available resources, or identify any additional resources needed to achieve the objectives within the set timelines.
• Anticipate potential risks and challenges that could impede the achievement of the objectives within the specified timelines. Develop strategies to mitigate these risks and contingency plans to address unforeseen circumstances.
• Engage relevant stakeholders throughout the development and execution of the business development plans including senior management, department heads, and employees, as well as external stakeholders such as clients, partners, and suppliers in order to foster collaboration and communication and ensure alignment and buy-in for the plans.

Partnerships:

• Identify and cultivate strategic partnerships with educational institutions, government agencies, non-profit organizations, corporations, and other stakeholders to advance the organization's mission and expand its reach, while promoting mutual support, shared learning, and collective impact.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with existing and prospective partners, donors, funders, and clients, recognizing the interconnectedness of human networks and the importance of trust, reciprocity, and shared purpose.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for new and developing partnerships; coordinate hand-off with Managing Director of Programs or Learning, Development & Evaluation, as appropriate, once contracts are established.

Revenue Generation:

• Lead sales efforts to promote and sell existing programs, services, and educational technology (EdTech) products offered by the company.
• Lead efforts to diversify revenue streams, including grants, contracts, sponsorships, fee-for-service arrangements, and federal, state, and local funding opportunities available through WIOA.
• Drive sales and negotiation processes to secure funding and partnerships that support programmatic initiatives, while embracing principles of sustainability and resourcefulness.

Market Analysis:

• Conduct market research and analysis, identifying emergent patterns, feedback loops, and systemic dynamics that influence educational outcomes and opportunities for growth.
• Conduct regular market research to identify RFP opportunities in education, workforce development, and related sectors.
• Proactively identify emerging client needs, market trends, and industry gaps to inform the development of new programs, services, and products.
• Conduct comprehensive research to identify direct and indirect competitors operating within the education sector and adjacent markets; analyze competitors' offerings, market positioning, strengths, weaknesses, pricing strategies, and distribution channels.
• Monitor policy changes at local, state, national, and international levels, particularly as they relate government funding streams for education, youth services, and workforce development initiatives.

Proposal Development:

• Oversee the preparation and submission of grant proposals, funding applications, responses to RFPs, and business pitches.
• Ensure all proposals are well-written, compelling, and tailored to the specific needs and interests of target audiences.

Conference Attendance and Presentations:

• Represent Zero Dropouts LLC at relevant conferences, workshops, and industry events in order to contribute thought leadership, share evidence-based practices, and build strategic partnerships.
• Actively participate in panel discussions, presentations, and networking opportunities to showcase the organization's expertise and advance its visibility within the education community and broader ecosystem of stakeholders.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Collaborate with Managing Director - Programs and extended leadership team members to align strategic programmatic initiatives with business growth objectives, ensuring that programs contribute to sustainable revenue generation and market expansion; bring programming to new clients; foster growth through strategic partnerships and relationships with clients and stakeholders; develop a robust communication strategy tailored to engage and inform stakeholders effectively.
• Work closely with Managing Director - Learning, Development & Evaluation to identify and capitalize on innovative opportunities to ensure that the development of products, services, and partnerships contribute to sustainable growth and market expansion; identify areas where pilot programs may be beneficial to test new ideas, strategies, or products; scout and identify innovative opportunities, technologies, and trends that align with the organization's goals.

Professional Development:

• Engage in continuous learning and professional development activities to deepen understanding and maintain alignment with regenerative and living systems approaches.
• Seek out opportunities for coaching, mentorship, and participation in relevant training programs to enhance leadership skills, expand knowledge of Living Systems theory, and refine strategies for fostering resilience, sustainability, and collective well-being within the organization and broader educational ecosystem.

• A master's or doctoral degree in business administration, marketing, education, or a related field.
• Proven track record of success in business development, sales, or fundraising roles, preferably in an education or youth services sector.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire and motivate teams to achieve ambitious goals.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport and establish credibility with diverse stakeholders.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to develop and execute effective plans to drive revenue growth and achieve organizational objectives.
• Demonstrated experience in partnership development, contract negotiation, and revenue generation.
• Knowledge of trends in educational technology and digital learning tools, with the ability to leverage emerging technologies to enhance programmatic offerings, engage stakeholders and drive innovation within the education sector.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, effectively manage competing priorities, and navigate complexity and uncertainty with resilience and agility.
• Ability to pivot and shift priorities as a result of emergent outcomes, fostering a culture of agility and resilience within the team.
• Ability to embrace change and uncertainty, guiding the team in navigating challenges and seizing opportunities for growth.
• Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, with a passion for improving education outcomes for underserved communities and advancing social justice within the broader context of interconnectedness and collective well-being.

COMPENSATION – This is an exempt position with a salary based upon qualifications, knowledge, and relevant experience with a range of $135,000-162,000/year.

BENEFITS – Company 401K plan with Employer Contribution Match, Medical, Dental & Vision Coverage, Paid Time Off (Sick Time, Holidays, Flexible Vacation), Not PERA eligible.

HOW TO APPLY- Follow this link to apply or select the “Apply Now” button on the posting page. If you have any questions, please contact the hiring team at hr@zerodropouts.com

Zero Dropouts is an equal-opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment.