Higher Ed Program Development Associate

Worldstrides; Charlottesville (VA); Hybrid; USD 43,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits: medical, dental, and

Paid time off: holidays, PTO, and sick

Tuition reimbursement and professional

Travel opportunities

Flexible work schedule

Employee Resource Groups

Wellness programs

Job summary

WorldStrides is seeking a Program Development Associate to expand partnerships within higher education abroad offices. You will generate new accounts through outbound calls, emails, virtual meetings, conferences, and on-campus visits, guiding prospects from initial contact to program development and closure.

Ideal candidates have 3+ years in inside sales and recruitment, a strong eye for detail, and the ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in inside sales and recruitment, preferably in higher education.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Highly motivated self-starter with a strong work ethic and a passion for learning.
• Thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, managing concurrent projects.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport quickly.

Responsibilities

• Sales & Business Development: Proactively generate new business opportunities, meet and exceed annual sales targets, and drive revenue growth.
• Partner Engagement: Establish and maintain strong relationships with education abroad professionals to understand program needs and provide tailored solutions.
• Pipeline and Program Management: Guide partners through the program development process from concept to execution using consultative selling techniques.
• CRM & Data Management: Maintain accurate records in WorldStrides' CRM for leads, opportunities, and communications.
• Cross-functional collaboration: Work with operations, academic support, and risk management to ensure seamless program execution.

Skills

Inside sales

Recruitment

CRM proficiency

Communication skills

Time management

Tools

Microsoft Office

Zoom

CRM platforms

Job description

WorldStridesis the global leader in educational travel and experiential learning. The company was founded in 1967 to provide middle school travel programs to Washington, D.C. and has grown to provide a wide range of programs for more than half a million students annually to over 100 countries around the world. WorldStrides offers experiential learning programs in educational travel, performing arts, language immersion, career exploration, service-learning, study abroad, and sports. Each of these experiences helps students to see beyond the classroom and to see the world – and themselves – in new ways.

Job Description:

As a Program Development Associate on the WorldStrides Higher Education team, you will play a critical role in expanding our reach by identifying and developing new partnerships. Your primary focus will be generating new accounts within education abroad offices, leveraging outbound calls, emails, virtual meetings, conferences, and on-campus visits to foster relationships and grow our global programming. The ideal candidate will not only excel in sales and business development but also have hands-on project management experience, ensuring seamless execution from inception to implementation.

Responsibilities:

• Sales & Business Development:
• Proactively generate new business opportunities, meet and exceed annual sales targets, and drive revenue growth.
• Partner Engagement:
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with education abroad professionals to understand their program needs and provide tailored solutions.
• Pipeline and Program Management Expertise:
• Utilize prior experience in project management to guide partners through the program development process, from initial concept to successful execution. Apply consultative selling techniques to guide prospects from initial contact through program development and closure.
• CRM & Data Management:
• Maintain accurate records in WorldStrides' CRM to track leads, opportunities, and ongoing partner communications.
• Work cross-functionally with internal teams—including operations, academic support, and risk management—to ensure seamless program execution.

Qualifications:

• 3+ years of experience in inside sales and recruitment, preferably in higher education.
• Demonstrates strong attention to details
• Highly motivated self-starter with a strong work ethic and a passion for learning.
• Thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, managing concurrent projects.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport quickly.
• Competency in Microsoft Office, Zoom, and CRM platforms.
• Highly organized with strong time management skills.
• Goal-oriented mindset, with a track record of exceeding targets.
• Ability to maintain professionalism in all interactions
• Comprehensive health benefits: medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, accident, critical illness, disability insurance, FSA/HSA options with employer HSA contributions, and a generous 401(k) match.
• Generous paid time off including 11 paid company holidays, 25 PTO days the first year (prorated), 1 paid volunteer day, 4 mental health days, and bereavement
• Professional development support, including up to $5,250 annually for tuition reimbursement and up to $1,000 for certifications annually
• Opportunities for paid and discounted travel
• Flexible work schedule providing on-site, remote, and hybrid office opportunities
• Encouraged participation in a wide variety of Employee Resource Groups
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and wellness resources, including fitness centers at select locations
• Paid parental, caregiver, and disability leave
• Team Member Discount Program
• Engaging, collaborative, and fun work environment

The salary range listed for this position represents WorldStrides’ good-faith estimate of the base compensation for the role at the time of posting. Actual compensation will be determined based on factors such as relevant experience, skills and qualifications, geographic location, internal equity, and market conditions. The range does not include other forms of compensation or benefits that may be offered as part of the total rewards package.

Compensation Range

$48,000 - $48,000 USD

WorldStrides, a global organization, is committed to educate and serve communities worldwide. Our commitment is fueled by the passion of our team members and partners to make experiential learning accessible, while also being socially, environmentally, and ethically responsible. Together, we accomplish this by investing in initiatives to promote inclusion, diversity, and sustainability.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, WorldStrides is committed to building a diverse workforce, supported by an environment that promotes inclusion and belonging. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

WorldStrides will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States. This is not a position for which sponsorship will be provided. Individuals with temporary visas such as E, F-1, J-1, H-1, H-2, L, B, J or TN, or who need sponsorship for work authorization now or in the future, are not eligible for hire. Select seasonal roles may consider students on J-1 or F-1 visas.