Director of Strategic Partnerships

Organization 

The ASSISTments Foundation is a fast-growing nonprofit that spun out of Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in 2019 to expand the reach and impact of ASSISTments, a proven K–12 math practice and assessment platform that helps teachers deliver high-quality feedback and data-driven instruction.

Created by former math teachers who saw the need for more effective and scalable classroom feedback tools, ASSISTments enables educators to assign rigorous math content, collect real-time insights, and personalize instruction — all at no cost to schools. 

With more than 100,000 students reached last year, ASSISTments is one of the most rigorously studied and evidence-backed education technologies in the country. The Foundation drives innovation and scale through two core priorities:

• Scaling impact through adoption and partnership with districts and states.
• Advancing research and innovation through collaboration with the ASSISTments Lab @ WPI.

Visit assistments.org for more information.

Opportunity for Impact

ASSISTments is entering an exciting stage of growth—expanding earned revenue, deepening partnerships, and pursuing innovative product opportunities. The Director of Strategic Partnerships will play a pivotal role in advancing both our fundraising and business development by cultivating high-impact partnerships, supporting fundraising efforts, and stewarding relationships that expand our reach and impact.

This role reports to Britt Neuhaus, Co-Executive Director, and supports both Co-Executive Directors across two major areas:

1. Go-to-Market Strategic Partnerships

ASSISTments integrates seamlessly with a wide range of K–12 instructional and professional learning models. Strategic partnerships with complementary organizations represent major opportunities for:

• expanding reach,
• generating revenue 
• Elevating ASSISTments visibility as an innovative leader in math

2. Philanthropic Fundraising

The role will support the Co-Executive Directors in cultivating funder relationships, advancing proposals, and elevating ASSISTments’ impact through compelling storytelling, data-informed reporting, and proactive engagement strategies.

Role and Responsibilities 

Fundraising, Funder Engagement and Renewals

Support Co-Executive Directors and senior leadership in raising $2 million annually through grant renewals and attracting new philanthropic partners.

• Identify aligned grant competitions and opportunities, and lead the charge on submitting applications
• Support preparation, facilitation, and follow-up on all meetings with critical prospective funders, customizing pitches and optimizing success.
• Use your in depth knowledge of funder interests, ASSISTments unique value proposition, strategic priorities, and product roadmap to develop high-quality, compelling proposals for prospective funders. Collaborate with strategic partners on proposals as needed. 
• Cultivate strong engagement and buy-in with existing funders by supporting preparation for check-ins, proactive reporting, and engagement strategies like site visits and impact storytelling.
• Ensure all funder reporting requirements and grant deliverables are met and on time, across federal and philanthropic grants.
• Maintain organized records of proposals, communications, grant requirements, and renewals; establish new systems where needed.

Partnership Development

Alongside Co-EDs, form new strategic partnerships that create new value in the form of reach, revenue and impact. 

• Serve as an ASSISTments subject matter expert on discovery calls, identifying creative ways to integrate ASSISTments into various instructional models and programs. Develop polished proposals and presentations for potential partners.
• Continuously maintain a thriving network of potential partners, help determine the best partners for ASSISTments unique offerings, and ultimately secure these partnerships.
• Negotiate partnership terms—including scope, deliverables, financial model, data sharing, co-branding, and exit strategies—in close collaboration with Marketing, Sales, and Legal.
• Develop and oversee pilots that validate partnership impact hypotheses.

Partnership Management

Become the lead relationship manager for key grant-funded partner initiatives (current partners include Teaching Lab, Teachley, Leading Educators and Gradient Learning).

• Project manage multi-partner initiatives, grant-funded programs, and pilots:
  
  • Define workstreams
  • set project plans,
  • maintain trackers,
  • lead meetings, and 
  • coordinate cross-functional responsibilities.
• Ensure all internal teams (Product, Partner Success, Data, MarCom, Research) are aligned and prepared on deliverables, timelines, and partnership needs.
• Set up systems for proactive data collection and reporting aligned to partnership goals. Monitor partnership health and drive continuous improvement to ensure long-term success and mutual value.
• Produce clear reports and narratives that communicate partnership impact to funders, partners, internal leadership, and external stakeholders.

External Communications and Thought Leadership

Collaborate with marketing to elevate the visibility of partnerships and signature initiatives funded by major donors.

• Author thought leadership pieces, case studies, and external-facing materials that elevate learning from partnerships and grant-funded initiatives.
• Amplify partnership stories, outcomes, and innovations through press, social channels, newsletters, and conferences.
• Coordinate with funders and partners to plan panels, presentations, and other public engagements.
• Represent ASSISTments at conferences and external events to build awareness and demand.

Required Professional Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree 
• 5+ years of professional experience, with 3-5+ years of experience building and managing strategic partnerships, business development, and/or fundraising 
• Exceptional communication skills (written and verbal), with the ability to synthesize complex information and present it effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences
• A track record of strong relationship-building skills, both externally with partners and internally to support cross-functional collaboration
• Excellent project management skills, including planning, prioritization, managing multiple concurrent projects, and driving them to completion
• Proactive, self-starting mentality, a strong sense of ownership, and the ability to work independently. 
• Initiative-taking and comfort with ambiguity will be essential.
• Strategic - able to understand complicated dynamics and find the opportunities.
• Commitment to and believe in TAF’s mission

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of the players within the K12 math ecosystem, which include key curriculum providers (e.g. Illustrative Math), professional learning organizations, and complementary products.
• Experience at a consultancy for education focused on strategy, fundraising, or partnership development.
• Given many of our funding proposals anchor on AI and product R&D, any experience developing educational products, building product development pitches, or reporting on product outcomes is a huge bonus.

What TAF Offers

• The ability to work from anywhere in the United States
• The opportunity for flexible work hours
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance with a generous company contribution for both employees and dependents
  
  • FSA and HSA options
  • Life Insurance, Short Term Disability
  • Paid parental leave
  • Retirement plan with company match
  • Five weeks of PTO, five sick days, and sixteen paid holidays
  • Stipend for office setup

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How to Apply

To be considered, please submit a resume and cover letter (both required) to Careers@assistments.org. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the hiring process and employment. If you need an accommodation to participate in the application process, please contact Suzanne Grace at careers@assistments.org to discuss your needs.

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Additional Info & Compensation

The salary range for this position is  $115,000-$135,000. The actual offer will be determined based upon level of experience and relevant skills. 

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All applicants must reside in the United States and must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. The ASSISTments Foundation is unable to provide sponsorship for employment visa status, now or in the future. 

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As an Equal Opportunity Employer, The ASSISTments Foundation seeks not just to accept differences, but to celebrate and embrace them for the benefit of our staff, our product, and our community. Employment is based solely on someone’s merit and qualifications directly related to their professional competence. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age, genetics, protected veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, or any other characteristic protected by law. As an organization, we are committed to an equitable and inclusive work environment because we believe it’s the right way to treat people. 

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Learn More

• Groundbreaking Study Reveals ASSISTments' Impact on Math Achievement & Equity 
• PROOF POINTS: The value of one-size-fits-all math homework
• AI Math Research by ASSISTments and WPI highlighted in Forbes
• New AI Math Tutor to Help Students Problem Solve

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