Managing Director of Partnerships & Growth

Who We Are

Gradient Learning is a nonprofit organization guided by the vision that educators should be empowered to meet the needs of all of their students. Gradient Learning is rebuilding education together with communities, schools, and educators. We are committed to meeting the holistic needs of every child while fostering success for all. We lead Gradient Learning and Along products.

The Gradient Learning Program offers schools a whole-student system to help schools realize their vision for whole-student growth. Our whole student system is a curated and integrated suite of research-based tools and resources, including rigorous curricula, teacher and leader resources and trainings, whole student assessments and data displays, as well as ongoing, customized coaching for school leadership teams. The program is utilized by hundreds of schools across the U.S. to fuel their whole student work.

Along is a free teacher-student connection builder that builds the strong ties needed to create and maintain trust year-round. Through Along, students have a safe space to open up so teachers can better understand and address student needs.

At Gradient Learning, our work is guided by a set of core values as well as our belief in the possibility of change, appreciation for the power of partnership, and commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Position Overview

The Managing Director, Partnerships and Growth will provide strategic leadership to drive the organization's programmatic expansion, cultivate and sustain high-impact partnerships, and position the organization as a leader in the education sector. This leader will oversee outreach, growth strategy, and external engagement to ensure alignment with the organization’s long-term vision for broader sector influence and impact.

The Managing Director will report directly to the Chief Partnerships and Impact Officer and lead a small, high-performing team focused on external partnerships, growth, and relationship management. This role is ideal for a visionary, relationship-driven leader eager to drive large-scale impact while collaborating across teams to deliver on the organization’s long-term goals.

Click here to learn more about this role and the hiring process at Gradient Learning.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic External Relationship Management:

• Cultivate and maintain relationships with senior-level stakeholders, including nonprofits, for-profits, curriculum providers, philanthropic institutions, and EdTech organizations that align with the organization's mission and priorities.
• Serve as a visible representative of the organization at key events, including conferences, funder meetings, webinars, and public forums.
• Engage with thought leaders, policymakers, and researchers to stay ahead of trends in K-12 education and Whole Student education, positioning the organization as a key influencer.
• Partner with internal teams to share insights from the field that inform organizational strategy, messaging, and impact goals.

School and District Partnership Growth:

• Develop and implement a strategic growth plan to expand partnerships with schools, districts, and state agencies in alignment with organizational priorities for all programs and products.
• Oversee outreach efforts to cultivate relationships with potential partners, including direct engagement and participation in high-visibility conferences and forums.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Communications, and Program teams to align outreach messaging and develop recruitment strategies that resonate with prospective partners.
• Conduct quick learning cycles to evaluate outreach efforts and refine strategies to optimize conversion rates and return on investment.
• Enhance the selection and onboarding processes to ensure seamless integration and support for new partners as programs and products continue to evolve.

Team Leadership and Collaboration:

• Lead and develop a high-performing team responsible for external outreach, partnership cultivation, and product and programmatic growth.
• Foster an inclusive, innovative, and collaborative team culture focused on achieving shared goals and professional growth.
• Align partnership and external affairs strategies with broader product, programmatic and organizational objectives, leveraging cross-functional collaboration with internal teams.
• Monitor progress against key performance indicators (KPIs) and adapt team workflows to meet evolving organizational priorities.

Organizational Thought Leadership:

• Act as a public-facing leader, positioning the organization as an influential voice in Whole Student education and the K-12 education sector.
• Represent the organization in thought leadership opportunities, including speaking engagements, publications, and strategic partnerships.
• Work with leadership to amplify insights from partnerships, sharing learning and impact with internal and external audiences to strengthen the organization’s influence and reputation.
• Collaborate with senior leaders and cross-functional teams to refine strategic goals, develop aligned messaging, and ensure external initiatives maximize organizational impact.