📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Senior Business Development Manager, Content Acquisition
🔹 Company: Coursera
🔹 Location: United States
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Business Development
🔹 Date Posted: April 22, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: Remote OK
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Identifying and acquiring high-demand content through strategic partner sourcing
- Developing and maintaining industry partnerships aligned with Coursera’s strategic objectives
- Managing the partnership pipeline and providing regular reports on development activities
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless partnership onboarding
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of strategic thinking, business acumen, and the ability to build and maintain strong relationships with industry partners.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Strategic Partner Sourcing: Identify and acquire high-demand content by researching industry partners and executing targeted outreach strategies to drive strategic partnerships.
✅ Partnership Development: Generate and qualify leads, negotiate initial agreements, and develop partnership proposals to secure industry collaborations aligned with Coursera’s strategic objectives.
✅ Account Management and Transition: Ensure a seamless transition and onboarding of new partners by coordinating with internal teams and managing key account responsibilities.
✅ Reporting and Feedback: Manage the partnership pipeline, provide regular reports on development activities, and relay market feedback to inform strategic adjustments and improve offerings.
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a significant amount of travel (15%), so candidates should be comfortable with frequent business trips.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: 7+ years of related experience in business development, with a strong track record of meeting and exceeding quarterly goals
Required Skills:
- Proven experience in developing partnerships with large fortune 500 companies and high-profile content and subject matter experts
- Demonstrated history of structuring partnership agreements and working with cross-functional teams to onboard new partners
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Preferred Skills:
- Content acquisition experience
- Demonstrated ability to think both strategically and tactically, influence across the organization, and ensure flawless execution
- Demonstrated ability to form long-term strategic business relationships through engagement with senior executives
ASSUMPTION: Given the strategic nature of this role, candidates with a strong business acumen and proven track record in business development will be most successful.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $120,000 - $158,000 USD (based on location and experience level)
Benefits:
- Bonus program
- Equity in the form of RSU’s
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on Coursera's public information and industry standards for similar roles. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as job level, location, training/education, business need, skill set, and internal equity.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: E-Learning Providers
Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees
Founded: 2012
Company Description:
- Coursera is an online learning platform that partners with universities and companies to offer courses, Specializations, Professional Certificates, Guided Projects, and degrees
- Its mission is to provide universal access to world-class learning
- Coursera became a Delaware public benefit corporation and a B Corp in February 2021
Company Specialties:
- Education
- Technology
- Internet
Company Website: Coursera Jobs
ASSUMPTION: Coursera's large size and global presence offer employees opportunities for growth and exposure to diverse perspectives.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Senior-level role with significant strategic responsibilities
Reporting Structure: This role may report directly to the Head of Business Development or a similar executive
Work Arrangement: Remote OK, with occasional travel required (15%)
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential career progression into leadership roles within the Business Development team or other departments
- Opportunities to work on high-impact projects and collaborate with cross-functional teams
- Exposure to a wide range of industry partners and content, fostering continuous learning and skill development
ASSUMPTION: Given Coursera's rapid growth and expansion, there may be opportunities for career advancement and increased responsibilities over time.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid (remote work with occasional on-site meetings)
Office Location(s): Mountain View, CA; New York, NY; Gurgaon, IN; London, GB
Geographic Context:
- Coursera's headquarters are in Mountain View, CA, with additional offices in New York, NY; Gurgaon, IN; and London, GB
- The United States is the primary market for Coursera, with a significant presence in Europe and India as well
- Candidates should be comfortable working in a global, distributed team environment
Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week), with occasional travel required (15%)
ASSUMPTION: Coursera's global presence and hybrid work arrangement offer employees the opportunity to work with diverse teams and collaborate with partners from around the world.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume screening
- Phone or video call with the hiring manager or HR
- On-site or virtual interview with the team
- Final interview with senior leadership
Key Assessment Areas:
- Business acumen and strategic thinking
- Communication and presentation skills
- Negotiation and problem-solving skills
- Cultural fit and alignment with Coursera's values
Application Tips:
- Highlight your relevant business development experience and achievements
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to emphasize your skills and experience related to the key responsibilities of this role
- Prepare examples of successful partnership negotiations and onboarding processes
- Research Coursera's industry partnerships and content strategy to demonstrate your understanding of the company and its goals
ATS Keywords: Business Development, Partnership Development, Market Analysis, Lead Generation, Negotiation, Account Management, Reporting, Strategic Thinking, Content Acquisition, Cross Functional Collaboration, Relationship Building, Goal Achievement, Industry Research, Proposal Development, Feedback Gathering, Partnership Onboarding
ASSUMPTION: Coursera's application process may involve assessments or case studies to evaluate candidates' skills and fit for the role.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Salesforce
- Google Workspace (Gmail, Google Docs, Sheets, Slides)
- CRM software
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies used may vary depending on the candidate's role and team.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Mission-driven
- Innovative
- Collaborative
- Inclusive
- Growth-oriented
Work Style:
- Results-driven
- Data-informed
- Adaptable
- Team-oriented
- Customer-focused
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How have you successfully identified and acquired high-demand content in previous roles?
- Can you describe a time when you negotiated a complex partnership agreement and ensured a seamless onboarding process?
- How do you stay organized and manage your time when working on multiple projects simultaneously?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be able to demonstrate a strong cultural fit with Coursera's values and work style to be successful in this role.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a high volume of partnerships and ensuring consistent quality and alignment with Coursera's content strategy
- Navigating complex negotiations and maintaining strong relationships with industry partners
- Balancing strategic thinking with tactical execution and day-to-day account management responsibilities
- Adapting to Coursera's rapid growth and evolving business priorities
ASSUMPTION: These challenges are inherent to the strategic and dynamic nature of the role and can be overcome with strong business acumen, adaptability, and effective time management.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other business development roles, this position places a greater emphasis on content acquisition and strategic partnership development
- Unlike other roles in the industry, Coursera's mission-driven approach and commitment to providing universal access to world-class learning set it apart
- Career progression in this role may involve moving into leadership positions within the Business Development team or other departments, rather than focusing on vertical growth within the same function
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should consider their long-term career goals and how this role aligns with their desired career path when evaluating this opportunity.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and executing a targeted outreach strategy to secure a partnership with a high-profile content provider in a new vertical
- Negotiating a complex partnership agreement that balances Coursera's strategic objectives with the partner's business needs and constraints
- Managing the onboarding process for a new partner, including coordinating with internal teams and ensuring a seamless transition to the account management team
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic and collaborative nature of the role and the importance of effective communication and negotiation skills.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the current state of Coursera's content strategy and how this role contributes to its evolution?
- How does Coursera support the professional development and growth of its business development team members?
- Can you provide an example of a successful partnership that Coursera has secured, and how it aligns with the company's strategic objectives?
- How does Coursera measure the success of its business development efforts, and how does this role contribute to those metrics?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days, and how will my performance be evaluated during this period?
ASSUMPTION: These questions demonstrate a candidate's interest in understanding the role's context, Coursera's strategic objectives, and the team's priorities and expectations.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant business development experience and skills
- Prepare examples of successful partnership negotiations and onboarding processes to demonstrate your qualifications
- Follow up with the hiring manager or HR one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
