📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: School Partnerships Specialist - Texas
🔹 Company: Kokua
🔹 Location: Remote (Texas, United States)
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Sales & Business Development
🔹 Date Posted: May 20, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years
🔹 Remote Status: Remote (with travel up to 25%)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Building relationships with new and existing school partners in Texas
- Managing the sales cycle from prospecting to closing
- Researching market trends to identify new sales opportunities
- Meeting or exceeding sales quotas through a healthy and sustainable sales pipeline
- Traveling approximately 25% of the time
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of sales skills, customer focus, and negotiation abilities. It's ideal for a driven individual who can manage their time effectively and communicate clearly with both internal and external stakeholders.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Prospect and develop new business opportunities through cold calling, networking, and referrals
✅ Lead the full sales conversation and negotiation, through to the transition of new clients to the operations team
✅ Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of sales activities, customer interactions, and pipeline status in the CRM system
✅ Develop sales forecasts and collect, evaluate, and provide market, customer, and competitor intelligence
✅ Tailor sales pitches to meet the specific needs and pain points of each customer
✅ Prepare quotations and respond to RFPs
ASSUMPTION: The role involves a high degree of autonomy and requires strong self-management skills to balance multiple priorities and meet sales targets.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: 2-5 years of proven sales experience, preferably in education or a related industry
Required Skills:
- Proven sales capabilities, including a strong understanding of the sales funnel and effective communication skills
- Excellent customer focus and relationship management skills
- Strong negotiation skills
- Relentless drive for results and a passion for exceeding sales targets
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
- Strong time management and organizational skills
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
- Familiarity with the education industry
- Bilingual or multilingual skills
ASSUMPTION: While a degree is preferred, relevant experience and a strong track record in sales may be considered in lieu of formal education.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $60,000 - $80,000 per year (based on industry standards for a sales role with 2-5 years of experience in the education industry)
Benefits:
- Competitive base salary and uncapped commission
- Competitive benefits package
- Generous time off policy
- Excellent training and professional development opportunities
- Limitless growth and learning opportunities
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week), with flexibility for remote work and occasional travel
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and performance.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Education Administration Programs
Company Size: 51-200 employees (mid-sized company)
Founded: 2011 (14 years ago)
Company Description:
- Kokua addresses teacher absences by connecting schools with passionate guest teachers
- Focuses on under-resourced schools to maximize learning time for students
- Committed to creating lasting change for future generations through a diverse, mission-driven culture
Company Specialties:
- Substitute teacher placement
- Education administration
- Student support and mentorship
Company Website: http://www.KokuaEd.com
ASSUMPTION: Kokua is a mission-driven company that values individuals who are passionate about education and making a positive impact on students' lives.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level sales role with opportunities for growth and advancement
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Sales Manager
Work Arrangement: Remote work with occasional travel (up to 25%)
Growth Opportunities:
- Advancement to Senior Sales roles or management positions
- Expansion of territory or responsibilities
- Professional development and training opportunities
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a clear career path for high-performing sales professionals looking to grow within the company.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Remote (with occasional travel)
Office Location(s): Texas, United States
Geographic Context:
- Texas has a large and diverse education market, offering numerous opportunities for school partnerships
- The remote work arrangement allows for flexibility and a better work-life balance
- Occasional travel may be required to build and maintain relationships with school partners
Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week), with flexibility for remote work and occasional travel
ASSUMPTION: The remote work arrangement and occasional travel requirements may vary depending on the candidate's location and the company's needs.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Phone or video screening to assess sales skills and cultural fit
- In-depth behavioral interview to discuss sales experiences and strategies
- Final interview with the Sales Manager or another senior team member
- Background check and reference check (if applicable)
Key Assessment Areas:
- Sales skills and experience
- Customer focus and communication abilities
- Negotiation skills and strategic thinking
- Cultural fit and alignment with Kokua's mission
Application Tips:
- Highlight relevant sales experiences and achievements in your resume
- Tailor your cover letter to demonstrate your passion for education and commitment to Kokua's mission
- Prepare examples of successful sales strategies and customer interactions for the interview
- Research Kokua's company culture and be ready to discuss how your values align with theirs
ATS Keywords: Sales, Business Development, Education, Schools, Partnerships, Customer Relationships, Negotiation, CRM, Remote Work, Texas
ASSUMPTION: Kokua's interview process may vary depending on the role and the candidate's experience level.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
- Video conferencing tools (e.g., Zoom, Google Meet)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
- Email marketing platforms (e.g., Mailchimp, Constant Contact)
ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies used may vary depending on the company's needs and the candidate's role.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Passion for education and student success
- Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Integrity and accountability
- Continuous learning and growth
Work Style:
- Self-motivated and results-driven
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Adaptable and resilient in the face of change
- Comfortable working independently and in a team environment
- Proactive and solution-oriented
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you demonstrate your passion for education in your daily life or work?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you had to adapt to a significant change in your sales strategy or approach?
- How do you balance maintaining strong customer relationships while also meeting or exceeding sales targets?
ASSUMPTION: Kokua values individuals who are passionate about education, committed to their mission, and able to work effectively in a remote and collaborative environment.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a large territory and maintaining strong relationships with multiple school partners
- Balancing the demands of sales targets with the need for customer-focused and personalized communication
- Adapting to the unique needs and preferences of diverse school partners
- Occasional travel requirements may disrupt personal or family schedules
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome through strong organizational skills, effective time management, and a commitment to Kokua's mission and values.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Unlike traditional sales roles, this position focuses on building and maintaining relationships with school partners rather than individual customers
- Experience in the education industry or a related field may be beneficial but is not always required
- This role offers a clear career path for high-performing sales professionals looking to grow within the company
ASSUMPTION: While this role shares similarities with other sales positions, its focus on education and school partnerships makes it unique within the industry.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a targeted outreach campaign to engage new school partners in Texas
- Conducting market research to identify trends and opportunities in the Texas education market
- Collaborating with the operations team to streamline the onboarding process for new school partners
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are intended to illustrate the types of initiatives a School Partnerships Specialist might undertake, but the specific projects may vary depending on the company's needs and the candidate's role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does Kokua support the professional development and growth of its sales team?
- Can you describe the company's approach to building and maintaining relationships with school partners?
- How does Kokua measure the success of its sales team, and what metrics are most important for this role?
- What opportunities are there for growth and advancement within the company?
- How does Kokua balance the demands of sales targets with the need for customer-focused and personalized communication?
ASSUMPTION: These questions are intended to help candidates better understand the role, the company, and the expectations for success in this position.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume to highlight relevant sales experiences and achievements
- Write a cover letter that demonstrates your passion for education and commitment to Kokua's mission
- Prepare examples of successful sales strategies and customer interactions for the interview
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
