How to apply for Director, District Partnerships (K12 Sales)

About National Math and Science Initiative, Inc.

NMSI is a mission-driven nonprofit that has transformed math and science education for over 2.9 million students and 72,000 teachers across 43 states since 2007. As a remote-first organization, it offers autonomy, flexibility, and a collaborative virtual culture, making it ideal for self-starters passionate about educational equity. Working here means directly contributing to programs that prepare students for success in the 21st-century economy.

About the role

As Director, District Partnerships (K-12 Sales), you will lead strategy and execution for a defined portfolio within NMSI’s fee-for-service district partnership team. You’ll drive revenue growth by building high-value partnerships with K-12 districts and state education departments, managing the full sales cycle from pipeline to contract. This role is pivotal in expanding NMSI’s impact, directly enabling more schools to access transformative STEM programs.

A typical day

A typical day might involve prospecting new district leads, preparing a proposal for an upcoming RFP, and meeting virtually with a state education official to discuss partnership opportunities. You’ll also collaborate with internal teams on contracting details and update your pipeline in the CRM, all while managing your schedule autonomously in a remote setting.

Who National Math and Science Initiative, Inc. is looking for

• 5+ years of K-12 education sales or partnership experience, with a proven track record of meeting or exceeding revenue targets.
• Deep understanding of school district procurement, RFP processes, and state education agency dynamics.
• Strong relationship-building skills with district leaders, state officials, and cross-functional teams.
• Experience developing proposals, managing pipelines, and negotiating contracts in a remote environment.

Tips for this application

• Highlight specific examples of K-12 district partnerships you’ve secured, including revenue amounts and impact on student outcomes.
• Demonstrate familiarity with NMSI’s mission and programs by referencing their work in math and science education in your application.
• Emphasize your ability to work autonomously in a remote-first setting, with concrete examples of managing pipelines and collaborating virtually.
• Tailor your resume to show experience with RFP responses and contracting support, as these are key responsibilities.
• Use keywords from the job description like 'fee-for-service', 'pipeline advancement', and 'state department of education relationships' to pass ATS and show alignment.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Your passion for educational equity and how it aligns with NMSI’s mission to expand access to high-quality math and science education.', 'A specific achievement where you built or expanded a district partnership, including the revenue generated and the educational impact.', 'Your experience navigating complex K-12 sales cycles, from prospecting to contract signing, and how you collaborate with cross-functional teams.', 'Why you thrive in a remote-first, mission-driven environment and how you stay motivated and connected to colleagues across time zones.']

Research before applying

• Explore NMSI’s website to understand their specific programs (e.g., Laying the Foundation, College Readiness Program) and the districts they serve.
• Research recent news or reports about NMSI’s growth, funding, and strategic priorities to speak knowledgeably about their current initiatives.
• Investigate the K-12 education landscape in your target portfolio region, including state STEM initiatives and district budget trends.
• Review NMSI’s leadership team and their backgrounds to understand the organization’s culture and strategic direction.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How would you approach building a pipeline of district partnerships in a territory where NMSI has limited presence?
• Describe a time you responded to an RFP for a school district. What was your strategy, and what was the outcome?
• How do you tailor your sales approach when working with state departments of education versus individual districts?
• Given NMSI’s remote-first culture, how do you ensure effective collaboration with program and finance teams during the contracting process?
• What metrics would you use to measure success in this role, and how would you report on portfolio performance?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Focusing only on sales numbers without connecting to NMSI’s mission—they value impact on students and teachers.
• Neglecting to mention remote work experience or showing discomfort with virtual collaboration, as NMSI is remote-first.
• Using generic sales language without demonstrating knowledge of K-12 education procurement and district decision-making processes.