Manager, Step Further Education Market Development

Step Up For Students; Florida; Remote; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Step Up For Students is seeking a senior-level business development and partnerships lead to expand awareness and participation in the Education Freedom Tax Credit program. You will cultivate new partnerships, manage the full lifecycle from prospecting to onboarding, and collaborate with marketing and fundraising to drive growth.

The role emphasizes selling strategic value to school leaders, boards, donors, and other stakeholders, while ensuring compliant program delivery and ongoing partner

Qualifications

• 5-7 years of progressive experience in business development, sales, market development, nonprofit management, education programs, public policy, stakeholder engagement, or related fields.
• Military service can substitute for professional experience and/or formal education requirements.

Responsibilities

• Own business development and market expansion efforts to increase awareness, adoption, and participation in the Education Freedom Tax Credit program among schools, networks, strategic education partners and other key stakeholders.
• Identify, cultivate, and secure new partnership opportunities that accelerate program growth, expand market reach, and drive long term participation in the Education Freedom Tax Credit program.
• Lead the full sales and partnership lifecycle, including prospecting, outreach, needs assessment, pitching, presentations, negotiation, onboarding, and long-term relationship management and partner retention.
• Deliver compelling presentations, proposals, and value driven sales pitches to school leaders, boards, associations, scholarship families, donors, and other key education stakeholders, effectively communicating program benefits and partnership opportunities.
• Manage partner onboarding, platform implementation, and relationship management efforts, ensuring a seamless experience while identifying opportunities to deepen engagement, expand participation, and drive account growth.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Communications, and Fundraising teams to develop campaigns, events, webinars, and outreach initiatives that generate leads, strengthen partnerships and advance organizational goals.
• Serve as a trusted advisor and subject matter expert on the federal scholarship program, while representing the organization as a brand ambassador across the state.
• Monitor and analyze outreach performance, stakeholder feedback, and program adoption metrics to identify trends, optimize engagement strategies, improve processes, and drive continuous growth and participation.
• Manage project timelines, implementation deliverables, and operational priorities while ensuring all outreach, partnership and engagement activities remain compliant with applicable federal regulations, organizational policies, and program requirements

Skills

Business development track record

Education program experience

Public policy / nonprofit management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Public Policy, Education, Nonprofit Administration, Communications, or related field

Job description

Step Up For Students empowers families to pursue the most appropriate learning options for their children. We unite communities to provide scholarships that open doors to a stronger future. With this support, students can choose the right learning environment and access resources to reach their full potential.

Our culture is rooted in two core values:

• Everyone is an asset
• Every event is an improvement opportunity

These values guide how we work together and continuously improve. We expect every team member to bring these principles to life in their daily work.

Location:

Remote (Florida)

Key Responsibilities:

• Own business development and market expansion efforts to increase awareness, adoption, and participation in the Education Freedom Tax Credit program among schools, networks, strategic education partners and other key stakeholders.
• Identify, cultivate, and secure new partnership opportunities that accelerate program growth, expand market reach, and drive long term participation in the Education Freedom Tax Credit program.
• Lead the full sales and partnership lifecycle, including prospecting, outreach, needs assessment, pitching, presentations, negotiation, onboarding, and long-term relationship management and partner retention.
• Deliver compelling presentations, proposals, and value driven sales pitches to school leaders, boards, associations, scholarship families, donors, and other key education stakeholders, effectively communicating program benefits and partnership opportunities.
• Manage partner onboarding, platform implementation, and relationship management efforts, ensuring a seamless experience while identifying opportunities to deepen engagement, expand participation, and drive account growth.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Communications, and Fundraising teams to develop campaigns, events, webinars, and outreach initiatives that generate leads, strengthen partnerships and advance organizational goals.
• Serve as a trusted advisor and subject matter expert on the federal scholarship program, while representing the organization as a brand ambassador across the state.
• Monitor and analyze outreach performance, stakeholder feedback, and program adoption metrics to identify trends, optimize engagement strategies, improve processes, and drive continuous growth and participation.
• Manage project timelines, implementation deliverables, and operational priorities while ensuring all outreach, partnership and engagement activities remain compliant with applicable federal regulations, organizational policies, and program requirements

Qualifications:

• Demonstrated success and a proven track record in professional/life experience in specific job functions, projects, or industries. Military service can substitute for professional experience and/or formal education requirements.
• Demonstrated success and a proven track record in professional/life experience in specific job functions, projects, or industries, and military service can substitute for the formal education requirements.
• 5-7 years of progressive experience in business development, sales, market development, nonprofit management, education programs, public policy, stakeholder engagement, or related fields, with a demonstrated track record of building strategic relationships, driving growth, and achieving organizational objectives.

You’ll Stand Out If You Have:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Public Policy, Education, Nonprofit Administration, Communications, or related field.
• Experience with education choice programs, scholarship administration, tax credit initiatives, or education advocacy.
• Experience managing external partnerships and community engagement programs.
• Experience managing projects and cross-functional initiatives.
• Strong relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Project management and organizational excellence.
• Data analysis and reporting capabilities.
• Collaborative leadership and team development.
• Problem-solving and continuous improvement mindset.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of education, nonprofit, or government-related program implementation.