Account Executive at Partnerships in Education and Resilience (PEAR)

General Summary/Overview

Partnerships in Education and Resilience (PEAR) is a leader in educational innovation, combining decades of research with a proven distribution model. Originally spun out of McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School in 2020, PEAR connects educational innovation, youth development, and child and adolescent mental health. By bridging research and practice, PEAR equips schools, districts, and youth-serving organizations with tools to help young people thrive. As recognized thought leaders in youth development and resilience, PEAR collaborates with schools, national youth-serving organizations, funders, and leaders in informal learning and STEM education across the United States.

PEAR focuses on student engagement by promoting relevance, curiosity, leadership, and skill acquisition. Through research-backed strategies and translational work, PEAR develops evidence-based innovations that support resilience and STEM learning in educational settings. PEAR provides training and assessment tools that inform educators about program quality, youth social-emotional development, and academic engagement.

The Education Services Sales Manager is a key member of PEAR’s business development team who will work with significant autonomy to drive new revenue. While this role will have frequent touch points with PEAR staff, collaborate with leadership, and participate in regular team meetings, the majority of the work—including prospecting, outreach, and closing deals—will be self-directed. This position requires a proactive, entrepreneurial approach. Success in this role depends on the ability to identify, engage, and secure new contracts with schools, out-of-school time (OST) programs, youth-serving organizations, and other groups interested in PEAR’s services.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Lead Generation and Sales Execution:

• Research and identify new contract opportunities, including school districts, afterschool programs, and youth-serving organizations across the U.S.
• Conduct daily outreach activities (calls, emails, and networking efforts) to generate new leads.
• Schedule and deliver pitch meetings to introduce PEAR’s services and solutions.
• Manage the full sales cycle, from initial outreach to contract negotiation and close.
• Maintain accurate records of outreach, sales activity, and pipeline progress in tracking systems.
• Represent PEAR at select conferences.

Partnership Development and Relationship Management:

• Present PEAR’s services, tools, and system innovations to potential partners at the local and state levels.
• Identify services that align with client needs and develop tailored scopes of work.
• Work with PEAR’s Client Relations Team to ensure effective follow-up and engagement with potential partners.
• Develop and maintain relationships with strategic partners and clients to expand long-term opportunities.
• Participate in regular meetings with PEAR leadership and staff to share progress, strategize on opportunities, and refine messaging, while independently driving business development efforts.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in a sales role in afterschool, K-12 education or a related field.
• Proven ability to generate leads, drive sales, and close deals.
• Strong understanding of the challenges, opportunities, and decision-making processes in educational settings.
• Ability to cultivate relationships in diverse educational and service delivery environments.
• Experience working with schools, afterschool programs, or other educational setting is preferred.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt responses flexibly and creatively.
• Effective communication and presentation skills.
• Passion for improving the lives of young people through education and youth development.

Skills

• Self-motivated and results-driven, with a track record of independently meeting or exceeding sales targets.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships and engage with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey information clearly and persuasively.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Outlook) and CRM tools.
• Strong organizational and time management skills to manage multiple prospects and sales activities efficiently.

All employees must possess basic computer skills to use a variety of electronic or online systems for communication and administrative purposes.

Working Conditions

• Setting: Remote work.
• Location requirement: Residence in Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Connecticut, Georgia, and Texas preferred.
• Internet requirement: Applicants must maintain their own high-speed internet connection that can support videoconference meetings via Zoom.
• Travel required: Some travel required (conference attendance, local sales meetings, etc.)
• Physical requirements: None

Supervisory Responsibility: None

Salary: $50,000 base salary with on target earnings of $100,000

Fiscal Responsibility

It is the policy at PEAR to affirmatively provide equal opportunity to all qualified applicants for employment and existing employees without regard to their race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, ancestry, protected veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis that would be in violation of any applicable law or regulation.