Partnerships Lead - B2B - Education

As a part of the senior leadership team focusing on the higher education space in India, your primary responsibility is to develop a go-to-market strategy to identify and acquire partnerships with top universities and colleges. You will play a crucial role in fostering relationships with educational institutions, negotiating contracts, and exploring opportunities for collaboration. Additionally, you will work cross-functionally with various teams to ensure the successful execution of the business plan and brand positioning.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Go-to-Market Strategy Development: Develop a comprehensive strategy to identify potential partners in the higher education sector. This strategy should outline the target universities and colleges, potential collaboration opportunities, and the value proposition offered by the organization.

2. Business Case and Proposal Development: Create persuasive business cases and proposals tailored to each prospective partner. Clearly articulate the benefits and mutual advantages of partnering with the organization to engage top educational institutions effectively.

3. Contract Preparation and Negotiation: Collaborate with the legal team to prepare well-structured contracts for partnerships. Negotiate contract terms with the partner institutions, ensuring they align with goals while addressing the needs of the educational institutions.

4. Relationship Management: Sustain and cultivate strong relationships with existing partners, ensuring their satisfaction and continued engagement. Seek opportunities to deepen collaborations and explore new ventures together.

5. Leadership: Demonstrate strong leadership skills and effectively work with cross-functional teams to achieve organizational goals.

6. Partner Outreach and Relationship Process: Establish a systematic process for identifying potential partners, reaching out to them, and maintaining relationships. Regularly monitor the success of the process and make necessary adjustments to improve partner acquisition and retention.

7. Networking Events and Branding: Plan and execute networking events on behalf of the organization to enhance the brand's presence and reputation within the education industry. These events should attract potential partners and showcase value proposition.

8. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with various internal teams, including policy, legal, communications, marketing, product, finance, and sales, to ensure a cohesive approach to partner acquisition and management.

Requirements:

- Education and Experience: A bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or a related field is typically required. Proven experience in partner acquisition, business development, or sales in the higher education sector is highly desirable.

- Leadership: Experience in a leadership role in B2B sales/partnerships in a growth stage start-up.

- Relationship Management Skills: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to build and maintain strong relationships with partners, stakeholders, and internal teams.

- Business Acumen: Ability to create compelling business cases, analyze market data, and make strategic decisions to drive partner acquisition and achieve business goals.

- Negotiation Skills: Proven track record in negotiating complex agreements and contracts with partners.

Note: This role may require occasional travel within India to meet with partners or attend networking events.