Director, PartnershipsMultiple

Director, Partnerships

At Bezos Academy, we believe all children deserve the great start that excellent early education provides, including in under-resourced communities. Our mission is to nurture the potential in every child to become a creative leader, original thinker, and lifelong learner by inventing the solutions needed to scale early childhood education. We operate a multi-state network of tuition-free, Montessori-inspired preschools in under-resourced communities while also investing in creating tools, products, technology, and other solutions designed to reach children well beyond the walls of our schools. We aspire for profound, large-scale impact on children ages zero to five.

As the Director of Partnerships, you will define and lead Bezos Academy's long-term partner relationship strategy to support a network of tuition-free, Montessori-inspired preschools as well as our emerging innovations in early childhood education. You will guide the research, planning, and cross-functional coordination required to develop and sustain strong relationships with partners nationwide. You will architect scalable systems for partner management, proactively addressing challenges and opportunities on behalf of our school and operations teams. In high-stakes conversations, you will represent the organization with clarity, designing and negotiating solutions that balance internal priorities with the partners' needs, with an eye towards measurable outcomes.

You will oversee a team responsible for partnership relationships, while also directly leading key partner development initiatives that unlock growth for Bezos Academy's emerging innovations. Together, you will determine the precise metrics and measures used to assess the health of our ongoing partnerships. In collaboration with leaders across enrollment, operations, legal and regional teams, you will create the systems and tools to manage each partnership relationship. You bring a rigorous, solutions-oriented approach to contract negotiations and relationship escalation while drawing upon strong project management skills to keep initiatives on track. You will team up with regional leaders to ensure seamless school launches and rollout of future initiatives. As a senior external representative of Bezos Academy, you will elevate our visibility and deepen trust through community engagement, public events, and strategic relationship-building. Reporting directly to the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, you will be a member of the marketing and communications leadership team, contributing to strategy, talent development, and problem-solving, focusing on what matters most : our students.

Location : Arizona, Florida, Kentucky, Texas, or Washington within two hours' drive to multiple Bezos Academy preschools (please see our website for school locations); Seattle, WA preferred.

Relocation support is available for those willing to relocate to Seattle, WA.

Compensation & Benefits : This is a full-time, benefits-eligible, exempt (salaried) position.

The full salary range for this position, in applicable United States geographies, is $147,000 $288,000 per year. The upper portion of the salary range is typically reserved for existing employees who have been in the role for multiple years and demonstrate strong performance over time. Starting salary will vary by location, qualifications, and prior experience; during the interview process, candidates will learn the starting salary range applicable for their location.

This role includes 15 paid days of vacation, 4 days of paid personal time off, 7 paid days of sick (care) time, 9 paid holidays, 5 paid days off for an organization-wide winter break, and additional time off if required by applicable law. Benefits for this role include medical, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, a 401(k) plan with a 4% employer contribution match, paid parental leave, an employer-matched flexible spending account for dependent care, and more. Please see here for details.

Minimum Qualifications : Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Ten or more years of experience in account management, sales management, business development, nonprofit development and fundraising, or a related field

Five or more years of experience managing teams to deliver measurable results

Significant experience negotiating complex agreements, such as managing contract renewals or sustaining relationships with major donors or sponsors, while delivering against deadlines

Experience effectively building relationships across lines of difference, showing strong internal / external stakeholder management and service orientation

Exceptional oral and written communication skills, with a keen eye for detail and mitigating risk

Valid state driver's license, clean motor vehicle records, personal auto insurance (at least minimum coverage under applicable law), and access to a reliable vehicle

Ability to travel up to 25% of the time

Preferred Qualifications : Experience managing public-private or nonprofit-private partnerships

Experience leading teams in field-based roles across different geographies

Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to synthesize data and find clarity in complex situations to influence functional areas and leadership

Understanding of the education sector's regulations and best practices, and preferably early childhood education's unique regulatory environment

Project management experience, overseeing a complex cross-departmental effort over a long period of time while using customer relationship management tools to capture and analyze communications and data

Prior experience partnering closely with local, state, or national leaders in the public sector and / or nonprofit sector

Prior experience collaborating closely with operations and legal departments, and exercising exceptionally strong business judgement