Director of Strategic Partnerships

$200,000 USD/year ^{Pay is set based on global value, not the local market. Most roles = hourly rate x 40 hrs x 50 weeks}  ($100 USD/hour)

• Take full ownership of the enrollment sales pipeline during year 0-1, managing inquiry through signed contracts, meeting conversion goals and maintaining CRM discipline until 25 students are enrolled
• Lead informational sessions and campus visits that convert interested families while strategically declining misaligned applicants (selectivity is equally important as enrollment)
• Function as the principal liaison for affluent families investing $40K+ per year, delivering concierge-level service that converts parents into advocates
• Establish community presence through consistent on-site visibility during morning arrival (7-9am) and afternoon departure (2-4pm), while spending the majority of your workday in external relationship-building: coffee conversations, networking activities, and community partnerships
• Advocate for Alpha's AI-powered educational approach to skeptical parents questioning screen exposure and non-traditional methodologies
• Mobilize parent champions by creating exceptional experiences that inspire families to actively recruit their networks

• Maintaining standard 9-5 office hours (early morning presence, late afternoon availability, and evening programming are non-negotiable)
• Executing pre-existing playbooks and documented procedures (you will build operational systems within a startup context)
• Depending on administrative personnel, marketing departments, or enrollment coordinators (you operate independently)
• Enrolling every applicant who expresses interest (strategic selectivity is a critical skill)
• Spending your day at a desk (this position demands consistent community engagement and active relationship cultivation)

Drive enrollment sales during year 0-1, then transition focus to cultivating parent relationships that generate advocates and fuel organic, word-of-mouth expansion.

• Currently reside within a commuting distance of one of these campuses OR willing to relocate within 60 days (preference for existing local connections): Santa Barbara, CA; Palo Alto, CA; Piedmont, CA; Lake Forest, CA; Bethesda, MD; Austin, TX; Fort Worth, TX; or Kirkland, WA.
• Legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship
• 5+ years in a role that involved working with high-net worth clients in a consultative sales or high-touch customer experience role (such as private school enrollment/admissions, luxury sales, hospitality, philanthropy, etc.)
• Proven enrollment or sales funnel performance with quantifiable conversion metrics you can articulate
• Executive-level presence and communication capabilities to build trust and influence complex decision-making with affluent families
• Entrepreneurial self-starter who thrives as an independent operator in a startup setting
• Authentic conviction in AI-powered education, with readiness to defend the model against skeptical parents questioning screen exposure and non-traditional educational approaches
• Flexibility for non-standard hours: early mornings (7-9am), late afternoons (2-4pm), evening programming (2-3x/month), and weekend activities

Outstanding candidates will possess at least one of the following: 

• Established network within the local affluent community with pre-existing relationships
• Private school or independent school enrollment/admissions leadership background with documented success
• Sales, business development, or fundraising achievements with high-value clientele
• Prior startup or early-stage venture experience managing ambiguity and accelerated change
• Event coordination and community organizing expertise producing impactful experiences
• Real estate, development, or major gifts fundraising experience engaging ultra-high-net-worth individuals