Director, Partnerships

SimpsonScarborough; Alexandria (VA); Remote; USD 105,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision coverage

401(k) with employer contribution

Life insurance

Short-term disability

Flexible time off

Lifestyle stipend

Job summary

SimpsonScarborough, a national higher education marketing agency, is seeking a Director of Partnerships to own the full business development cycle—from inquiry to contract. You will lead client pitches, develop multi-service proposals, and cultivate campus leader relationships while collaborating across research, brand strategy, creative, digital, and media teams.

The role requires 5–7 years in higher education sales with a proven closing track, and will involve ~25% travel to conferences and

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of experience selling into higher education marketing/advancement
• Proven ability to close deals through scoping, negotiation, and contract execution
• 3+ years leading client pitches and presentations for a professional services or marketing agency
• Experience in an integrated agency with multi-service offerings
• Strong proposal writing skills with examples required

Responsibilities

• Own the full business development cycle from inquiry to signed contract
• Lead pitches and client-facing presentations independently
• Develop high-quality proposals spanning research, brand, creative, digital, and media
• Build relationships with prospective higher education clients
• Represent the agency at conferences and on-campus meetings
• Maintain pipeline, update CRM, and report forecasts
• Collaborate with internal teams to scope multi-service engagements
• Partner with leadership to identify growth opportunities and hit sales targets

Skills

Higher ed sales

Consultative selling

Proposal writing

Client-facing pitches

CRM management

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Teams

SharePoint

Outlook

Word

PowerPoint

Excel

HubSpot

Adobe Acrobat

Job description

At SimpsonScarborough, we spend our days building brands that endure, inspire, and elevate the all-important work of colleges and universities in shaping our future. Recognized as a leader in the higher education marketing industry, we are a fully remote team of approximately 70 employees working coast to coast.

We’re looking for a Director, Partnerships to own the full business development cycle — from first inquiry to signed contract — for one of higher education’s most trusted marketing agencies. This role is for someone who knows how to close, how to pitch, and how to build lasting relationships with the campus leaders who trust us with their most important work. If you thrive in a consultative sales environment, bring deep fluency in higher education, and can represent an agency with confidence and credibility, we want to hear from you.

What You’ll Do

• Own the full business development cycle for new client opportunities — from first inquiry through scoping, proposal development, contract negotiation, and signed agreement


• Lead pitches and client-facing presentations independently, representing the agency with clarity, confidence, and fluency


• Develop compelling, high-quality proposals that articulate SimpsonScarborough’s integrated capabilities across research, brand strategy, creative, digital, and media


• Build and maintain relationships with prospective clients across the higher education marketing, communications, and advancement landscape


• Represent SimpsonScarborough at industry conferences and on-campus meetings, serving as a visible and credible presence in the higher education community


• Maintain disciplined pipeline management — tracking opportunities, updating CRM systems, reporting on forecasts, and keeping deals moving


• Collaborate with internal teams to scope multi-service engagements and develop proposals that reflect the full breadth of the agency’s offer


• Partner with the AVP, Partnerships to identify growth opportunities, refine the agency’s business development approach, and meet quarterly and annual sales targets

What We’re Looking For

• 5–7 years of experience selling into higher education marketing, communications, or advancement professionals


• Demonstrated success independently leading consultative sales from first inquiry through close — including scoping, negotiation, and contract execution


• 3+ years leading pitches and client-facing presentations on behalf of a professional services or marketing agency


• Experience at an integrated agency with multiple service lines; multi-service scoping experience required


• Strong proposal writing skills — this person writes, not just outlines or delegates; writing samples required with application


• Comfortable with approximately 25% travel for conferences and on-campus client meetings


• Proficiency with the Microsoft tech stack (Teams, SharePoint, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel)


• Existing network within the higher education marketing, enrollment, or advancement community is a plus


• Experience with HubSpot and/or Adobe Acrobat preferred

Salary, Benefits & Perks

• Salary Range: $105,000.00 - $120,000.00


• Comprehensive benefits package including nationwide health, dental, and vision coverage, 401(k) with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance and short-term disability


• Flexible time off (FTO) with additional time-off options, including sick, volunteer & bereavement leave, paid parental leave, a day off on your birthday PLUS two agency-wide closures in the summer and winter


• Monthly lifestyle stipend to supplement your routine wellness costs like streaming subscriptions, gym, or phone/internet costs.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

At SimpsonScarborough, we believe diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are central to our core values and critical to our long-term success. This work requires consistency, intentionality, vulnerability, and accountability. Through our efforts, we strive to make meaningful impact in our work, our workplace, and our industry.

SimpsonScarborough is an equal opportunity employer. We have a strict anti-harassment policy and a zero-tolerance non-discrimination policy. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds regardless of nationality, race, religion, gender identity, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Questions?

For all recruitment-related inquiries, please email [e-mail].