Statewide Learning & Career Partnerships Manager

We are looking for a highly skilled Statewide Learning & Career Partnerships Manager to lead strategic discussions with state departments of education and large (strategic) school districts in the assigned area. This role reflects the evolution of Discovery Education's statewide partnerships toward career readiness and workforce development, pairing our K-12 instructional footprint with state career and technical education (CTE) priorities and industry-facing initiatives

The Manager is always strategizing to improve program usage and to transform teaching and learning through the implementation of engaging standards-based K-12 digital curriculum, delivery of intensive professional development, and engagement within the global community.  

This individual focuses on developing relationships at all levels, cross education, workforce, and industry stakeholders, informed by consistent messaging that leads to a successful partnership. The Manager will work collaboratively with other DE departments to ensure a coherent approach to effectively support the implementation of programs/services in the state and districts, building the connective tissue between K-12 instruction and career pathways. The PM will also support sales by communicating initiatives and funding opportunities available, including workforce and career-readiness funding streams. The three primary areas of responsibilities are: Managing the Account, Leading Implementation. Ultimately, the Manager is a partner, strategist, and doer. 

In This Role You Will: 

Managing the Account 

• Develop and execute strategic partnership plans that align to state level and district/site goals, drive adoption, maximize usage, and support long-term growth, renewal, and expansion. 
• Build and sustain trusted relationships with state representatives, executive leaders, district stakeholders, state education agencies, and state education workforce development or CTE agencies, while serving as the primary strategic advisor throughout the partnership lifecycle. 
• Coordinate and deliver implementation activities, professional learning, technical support, and cross-functional resources to ensure successful execution and an exceptional partner experience. 
• Monitor partnership health through data, usage trends, progress reviews, and success metrics, using insights to proactively identify risks, opportunities, and recommended actions. 
• Maintain accurate documentation, communication plans, meeting summaries, and account records within Salesforce, Gainsight, and other internal systems. 
• Collaborate with Sales, Government Affairs, Product, Marketing, Professional Learning, and Customer Support to align strategies, communicate partner needs, and support funding opportunities - including workforce and career-readiness funding - renewals, and growth initiatives. 

Leading Implementation 

• Lead strategic implementation planning by aligning Discovery Education solutions to partner priorities, instructional goals, and desired student career- readiness outcomes. 
• Facilitate meaningful engagement with educators, administrators, and state leaders through professional learning, executive planning, and ongoing consultation that drives sustainable implementation. 
• Cultivate executive sponsorship, instructional champions, and collaborative partnerships that embed Discovery Education solutions into district, state, and workforce/CTE initiatives. 
• Analyze partner needs, challenges, and organizational readiness to develop solution-oriented implementation strategies that improve adoption, instructional impact, and overall partnership success. 
• Serve as a thought leader by sharing best practices, modeling effective partnership strategies, and coaching internal teams to deliver consistent, high-quality partner experiences. 
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement through proactive communication, problem solving, change management, and celebration of partnership successes.

Advance Career & Workforce Alignment

• Serve as the primary connector between Discovery Education’s K–12 partnership and the state’s career and technical education (CTE) and workforce development priorities, aligning programming to in-demand career pathways.
• Build relationships with state workforce agencies, CTE directors, and industry/employer partners to identify funding, co-branding, and pipeline opportunities that extend the partnership beyond traditional K–12 channels.
• Translate state workforce and economic development priorities into partnership strategy, ensuring Discovery Education’s career-readiness content is positioned to support funding streams tied to workforce outcomes.
• Represent Discovery Education in career and workforce-focused forums, advisory committees, and cross-agency initiatives that shape statewide career pathway strategy.

General 

• Maintain a thorough understanding of Discovery Education’s overall goals and strategic vision. Share this knowledge with team and partners when appropriate. 
• Travel approximately 60% of the time (with seasonal variations) for partner meetings, conferences, company events, and other duties as assigned.

 Core Competencies for Success 

• Demonstrated success leading K-12 strategic partnerships, implementation, partner success, or educational and workforce development initiatives, including experience supporting large and rural districts or State Departments of Education, and/or state workforce development or CTE agencies. 
• Educational leadership experience preferred, with deep knowledge of instructional practices, curriculum implementation, professional learning, and digital learning environments. 
• Exceptional relationship-building, communication, presentation, and executive facilitation skills with the ability to influence diverse stakeholders and lead through collaboration. 
• Strong strategic thinking, project management, organizational, and analytical skills with experience using data to drive decisions, measure impact, and manage multiple priorities. 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Salesforce, Gainsight, Looker, or similar CRM and customer success platforms. 
• Growth-minded, self-directed, and solution-oriented professional who thrives in collaborative environments, values continuous learning, embraces diverse perspectives, and is motivated by helping partners and teammates succeed. 

Credentials and Experience: 

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in working in the areas of professional learning and curriculum implementation. 
• Background in Career and Technical Education (CTE), workforce development, or a state priority industry sector strongly preferred, in addition to K–12 education experience. 
• Master’s degree or an equivalent combination of skills, training, and experience. 
• Legal right to work in the United States  
• Travel 50-60%