Strategic Placement Manager- Ambassador Teachers

Apply Description Love What You Do and Why You Do It! Since 1987, Participate Learning has partnered with schools and districts to prepare students for career success through cultural exchange, dual language programs, and global learning. We help students build bilingual fluency, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills to apply their learning in real-world settings and any career path. What You’ll Do: The Strategic Placement Manager supports the growth and long-term success of Participate Learning’s Ambassador Teacher program by managing a strategically assigned portfolio of school district partners and leading Ambassador Teacher placement efforts within those accounts. This position builds trusted relationships with district and school leaders, develops a deep understanding of educator staffing needs, and uses data and market insights to identify opportunities for placement growth, partner retention, and expansion. Working collaboratively across Account Management, Partnerships, Admissions, Instructional Support, Government Relations, and other internal teams, the Strategic Placement Manager translates district needs into successful teacher placements while strengthening existing partnerships, re-engaging former partners, and supporting expansion into priority markets. Requirements Key Responsibilities: Manage a strategically assigned portfolio of school district partners based on placement volume, growth potential, organizational priorities, market conditions, and partner needs. Build and maintain trusted relationships with district HR leaders, superintendents, principals, and other decision-makers to understand staffing priorities, workforce challenges, hiring timelines, and long-term talent needs. Develop and execute account strategies that strengthen partner relationships, increase Ambassador Teacher placements, expand into additional schools or staffing areas, re-engage former partners, and support growth in priority markets. Lead the Ambassador Teacher placement process for assigned districts, including identifying staffing needs, strategically managing candidate inventory, coordinating candidate recommendations and interviews, supporting hiring decisions, and confirming placements. Maintain proactive communication with district partners throughout the placement cycle regarding candidate availability, hiring decisions, visa processing, orientation, arrival, onboarding, and other factors affecting successful placements. Use placement history, vacancy and retention data, account performance, market conditions, competitive activity, and district feedback to prioritize opportunities, establish account goals, forecast placement activity, and recommend growth strategies. Monitor account health, partner satisfaction, leadership changes, competitive pressures, and other factors that may affect retention or growth, proactively addressing challenges and identifying solutions in collaboration with internal teams. Develop and maintain an active pipeline of placement, account growth, re-engagement, and new partnership opportunities, ensuring district contacts, staffing needs, opportunities, placements, forecasts, and account activity are accurately maintained in Salesforce. Gather and translate district and market insights into actionable recommendations related to teacher recruitment, candidate pipelines, partner services, pricing, competitive strategy, and future growth opportunities. Coordinate effectively across internal teams to support district needs, resolve complex placement or partnership issues, and ensure a strong experience for district partners and Ambassador Teachers. Represent Participate Learning professionally in district meetings, presentations, conferences, networking events, and other partner-facing opportunities. Support required placement, partnership, contractual, and compliance processes, including order forms, MSAs, renewal information, transfer documentation, and district-specific requirements. Key Competencies Strategic Account Management: Ability to assess the health, potential, risks, and long-term growth opportunities of district accounts and develop strategies that strengthen retention and expand partnerships. Relationship Building: Demonstrated ability to establish credibility and trusted relationships with senior education leaders, including superintendents, HR executives, principals, and other district decision-makers. Consultative Sales and Business Development: Ability to identify partner needs, communicate Participate Learning’s value proposition, navigate objections and competitive pressures, re-engage former partners, and develop new or expanded opportunities. Data-Informed Decision Making: Ability to analyze placement trends, account performance, pipeline activity, market conditions, and partner feedback to prioritize efforts, forecast opportunities, and inform strategy. Education Sector Knowledge: Understanding of public school systems, educator staffing, district and school decision-making, hiring processes, and workforce challenges. Former teaching or school administration experience preferred. Strategic Problem Solving: Ability to navigate complex situations, balance partner and organizational needs, anticipate barriers, and develop solutions that support successful placements and sustainable partnerships. Communication and Executive Presence: Strong written, verbal, presentation, and facilitation skills with the ability to communicate effectively with school and district leaders. Collaboration: Ability to work effectively across functions and coordinate internal resources to support partner needs, placement outcomes, and organizational priorities. Organization and Execution: Strong planning, project management, CRM, and follow-through skills with the ability to manage multiple district accounts, placement opportunities, priorities, and deadlines in a fast-paced environment. CRM and Pipeline Management: Proficiency using Salesforce or similar CRM systems to manage account activity, opportunities, placement pipelines, forecasts, and partner information. Education and Experience: Bachelor’s Degree. Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a customer-focused role in the education industry, as a school leader or district administrator, or equivalent. Travel requirement: Client and business travel as needed in NC and VA, and occasional travel to conferences and other events nationwide. About You Passionate about learning and welcoming people from all over the world, learning about their culture and sharing your own culture and experiences. Passion for global perspectives - languages, cultures, travel, etc. We value a deep interest in exploring the diverse facets of our interconnected world. We are looking for impact makers who believe in using their career as a force for good. Eager to make a difference for today and tomorrow Flexible with your time and energy and willing to expand beyond the day-to-day expectations of your work. (And the company reciprocates with flexibility!) Cameras on during most Zoom meetings — we want to see your smile. Believe global education is for everyone! What You’ll Love About Us: Headquartered in Chapel Hill, NC, one of the essential measures of our business's success is the positive impact we have on our employees. Our work inspires everyone to be change agents. Attractive medical, dental, and vision coverage Company-paid short-term and long-term disability, and life insurance Paid parental leave Generous vacation and separate sick time 401(k) plan with company match up to 6% of salary Expanded family support leave, including child school leave, family crisis leave, and hardship leave Wellness program Fertility benefits Adoption assistance Infant-at-work and dog-friendly workplace programs Cell phone reimbursement Fully stocked kitchen Volunteer time off Professional development funds