Associate Director, Sponsorship Sales and Strategic Partnership Development

About EAB

At EAB, our mission is to make education smarter and our communities stronger. We work with more than 2,800 institutions to drive transformative change through data-driven insights and best-in-class capabilities. From kindergarten to college to career, EAB partners with leaders and practitioners to accelerate progress and drive results across enrollment, student success, institutional strategy, data analytics, and advancement. We work with each partner differently, tailoring our portfolio of research, technology, and marketing and enrollment solutions to meet the unique needs of every leadership team, as well as the students and employees they serve.

At EAB, we serve not only our partner institutions but each other—that's why we are always working to make sure our employees love their jobs and are invested in their communities. See how we've been recognized for this dedication to our employees by checking out our recent awards.

For more information, visit our Careers page.

The Role in Brief

Associate Director, Sponsorship Sales and Strategic Partnership Development

We are seeking a results-driven, Associate Director of Sponsorship Sales and Strategic Partnership Development to join our team. In this newly created role reporting directly to EAB’s Chief Marketing Officer, you will be responsible for driving revenue growth by selling marketing and event sponsorships and establishing strategic partnerships with other education companies.

We are looking for a creative, results-oriented, resourceful, and organized person who loves to innovate, exceed goals, and build relationships.

Our current opportunity is based in Washington, D.C. or Richmond, VA, or remotely in the continental U.S.

Primary Responsibilities:

Sponsorship and Strategic Partnership Development:

• Develop and execute a comprehensive sales strategy and workplan to drive sponsorship revenue in alignment with goals, from lead generation through deal closure
• Identify and prioritize potential sponsors, including corporations, brands, and organizations, based on their alignment with EAB’s brand, events, audiences, and opportunities, in partnership with our Strategy and New Ventures team (SNV)
• Create compelling sponsorship packages tailored to the needs and objectives of prospective sponsors
• Conduct outreach to prospects through phone calls, emails, and in-person meetings to pitch sponsorship opportunities and secure commitments
• Negotiate sponsorship agreements, including pricing, benefits, and deliverables, ensuring mutual value for both parties
• Maintain accurate records of sales activities, prospect interactions, and revenue projections using Salesforce

Service Delivery Project Management:

• Oversee the delivery of services to sponsors and partners, ensuring adherence to timelines, budgets, and quality standards
• Coordinate with internal teams and external vendors to execute sponsorship activations, deliverables, and benefits as outlined in agreements
• Serve as the primary point of contact for sponsors and partners, addressing inquiries, troubleshooting issues, and providing regular updates on project status
• Conduct post-event evaluations to assess service delivery performance, gather feedback from sponsors and partners, and identify opportunities for improvement
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement process improvements and best practices for service delivery project management

Market Research and Analysis:

• Conduct market research in collaboration with our Strategy and New Ventures team to understand industry trends, competitive landscape, and potential opportunities for sponsorship and partnership growth
• Analyze data and insights to identify key decision-makers, understand their needs and preferences, and tailor sales and partnership strategies accordingly
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of sponsorship and partnership initiatives, tracking ROI metrics and making data-driven recommendations for optimization

Basic Qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience in sponsorship sales, partnership development, or related commercial roles, preferably in the education or event marketing industry
• Proven track record of success in achieving sales targets and driving revenue growth
• Strong negotiation skills and ability to articulate value propositions effectively to senior executives and decision-makers
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to build rapport and establish long-term relationships with partners and executives
• Strategic thinker with the ability to identify opportunities, develop creative solutions, and execute on sales and partnership initiatives
• Proficiency with Salesforce, Microsoft Office Suite, Asana, and other common workflow tools
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a results-driven, matrixed environment
• Willingness to travel domestically 25%; valid U.S. driver’s license required

Ideal Qualifications:

• Demonstrated creativity and initiative when it comes to charting new paths and bringing ideas from concept to execution
• Resilience and comfort with ambiguity; ability to be flexible and adaptable in a changing environment
• Commitment to valuing diversity, practicing inclusive behaviors, and contributing to an equitable working and continual learning environment in support of EAB’s DE&I Promise

If you’ve reached this section of the job description and are unsure of whether to apply, please do At EAB, we welcome diversity of background and experience. We would encourage you to submit an application if this is a role you would be passionate about doing every day.

Compensation:

The anticipated starting salary range for this role is $61,500 to $95,000 per year. Actual salary varies due to factors that may include but not be limited to relevant experience, skills, and location. At EAB, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the starting salary range for their role.

This hire will additionally be eligible for lucrative uncapped incentive compensation. Variable compensation may depend on various factors, including, without limitation, individual and organizational performance.

Benefits:

Consistent with our belief that our employees are our most valuable resource, EAB offers a competitive and inclusive benefits package. Our benefits currently include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans; dependents and domestic partners eligible
• 20+ days of PTO annually, in addition to paid firm and floating holidays
• Daytime leave policy for community service and flextime for fitness activities (up to 10 hours per month each)
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with annual discretionary company matching contribution
• Health savings account, healthcare and dependent care flexible spending account, and pre-tax commuter plans
• Employee assistance program with counseling services and resources available to all employees and immediate family
• Wellness programs including gym discounts, incentives to promote healthy living, and family access to the leading app for sleep, meditation, and relaxation
• Gender affirming care coverage
• Fertility treatment coverage and adoption or surrogacy assistance
• Paid parental leave with phase back to work program for birthing and non-birthing parents
• Access to milk shipping service to support nursing employees during business travel
• Discounted pet health insurance coverage for dog and cat family members
• Company-provided life, AD&D, and disability insurance
• Financial wellness resources and membership in a robust employee discount program
• Access to employee resource groups, merit-based advancement, and dynamic professional growth opportunities

Benefits kick in day one; learn more at eab.com/careers/benefits.

This opening is not eligible for visa sponsorship at this time; EAB will thus consider candidates who possess U.S. work authorization that does not require employment-based visa sponsorship now or in the future.

At EAB, we believe that to fulfill our mission to “make education smarter and our communities stronger” we need team members who bring a diversity of perspectives to the table and are committed to fostering a workplace where each team member is valued, respected and heard.

To that end, EAB is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we make employment decisions on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need. We don’t discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law.