Manager, Academic Partnerships

Education - It's in Our DNA
At Barnes & Noble Education ("BNED") we are dedicated to making tomorrow a better, more inclusive, and smarter world by servicing all who work in education. As a leading solutions provider for the education industry, we are committed to driving affordability, accessibility, and achievement at hundreds of academic institutions nationwide by ensuring millions of students are equipped for success in the classroom and beyond. Together, our teams work to elevate lives through education.

To support this mission, we are seeking a
Manager, Academic Partnerships & Learning Content
to collaborate with BNED partner institutions in identifying opportunities to reduce the cost of course materials for students—while ensuring academic integrity and maintaining equitable access to learning resources. Focused at the institutional level, this role collaborates with campus administrators and BNED field teams to uncover and implement cost-reduction opportunities by leveraging affordable course material options—such as open educational resources (OER), low-cost eTextbooks, and digital courseware—and by helping institutions leverage their existing relationships with publishing partners to achieve additional savings. Through data-driven analysis and collaborative problem solving, the Academic Partnership Manager drives measurable improvements in course material affordability and institutional efficiency.

How You'll Make An Impact

• Evaluate campus course material costs to identify institutions where the greatest cost-reduction opportunities exist.
• Engage with BNED partner institutions to evaluate affordability opportunities and provide data-supported insights that can help drive down the cost of course materials.
• Work with BNED partner institutions to leverage their existing publisher relationships to identify savings opportunities.
• Maintain strong relationships with key administrators to support ongoing analysis, consultation, and execution of cost-saving strategies.
• Track and report on the execution and impact of implemented affordability strategies, highlighting outcomes and institutional progress toward cost-reduction goals.
• Mentor and support Academic Engagement Specialists to ensure alignment between institutional strategies and faculty-level engagement.
• Work across cross-functional BNED teams to support institutions in identifying and implementing strategies to reduce course material costs.
• Additional responsibilities as required.

What You'll Need To Succeed

• 5+ years' experience in course material management, higher education publishing, content sales, or related fields
• Proven success engaging institutional leaders (finance, provost, academic, and library administrators) with data-informed, affordability-focused solutions
• Strong understanding of the higher education course materials ecosystem, including publishers, content providers, and campus stores
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate cross-functionally with store managers, publishing partners, and institutional stakeholders
• Exceptional analytical, communication, and relationship-building skills
• Strategic, consultative thinker with a data-driven, results-oriented approach
• Highly organized and self-motivated, able to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
• Proficient in Microsoft Office; experience with CRM tools preferred
• Willingness to travel occasionally to partner campuses (minimal travel required)

How We Elevate Our Employees
We believe your success is our success, and we're committed to supporting you in every aspect of life. At BNED, we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to promote physical, mental, and financial well-being. Our full-time employees receive access to medical, dental, and vision coverage; a 401(k) plan; life and disability insurance; commuter benefits; paid time off and holidays; and a broad range of additional benefits.

The hiring range for this position is $80,000 - $90,000 per year.
This range represents the base salary only, in good faith at the time of posting. Actual compensation will be determined based on factors such as relevant experience, skills, and qualifications. This position is
bonus-eligible
, with bonus amounts determined at the company's discretion based on individual qualifications and applicable program terms.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
At Barnes & Noble Education we empower everyone. Our mission is to support students, faculty, and schools, serving as a catalyst to meet the evolving needs of the education system and a new generation of students. That starts with fostering an environment for our employees where diversity and individuality is celebrated.

Barnes & Noble Education is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer committed to diversity in the workplace. In the spirit of inclusivity, qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ethnicity, ability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, nationality, protected veteran status, race, religion or sexual orientation.