Sales & Business Development Client Partner, Schools & Education Programs; Part Time

Region:
Washington, DC;
Maryland;
Virginia
Team:
Business Development
Time Commitment:
Part-Time | 25–30 hours per week
Work Style:
Remote with significant field-based work; routine evenings and some weekends required

The Sales & Business Development Client Partner is responsible for growing Little Ruth Children’s Collection partnerships across elementary schools, libraries, and organized education programs across Washington, DC, Maryland (entire state), and Virginia (entire state).

This role is designed for a mid-career education sales professional who understands school and program buying environments and is energized by being out in schools and programs building trusted, repeat relationships. The focus of the role is on longer-term partnerships and repeat engagements, not one-off visits.

You will represent Little Ruth’s portfolio and guide schools and programs toward offerings that best fit their students, schedules, and budgets. This position focuses exclusively on school- and program-based partners.

You will work with organizations that serve students in grades K–3, including:

• Public elementary schools
• Charter, independent, and parochial schools
• Libraries
• Summer camps

You will regularly engage with teachers, librarians, principals, program directors, district staff, and parent organizations, with an understanding that funding sources and decision-making processes vary by context.

You will sell Little Ruth offerings designed for schools and education programs, including:

• Author visits and Story Labs (core offerings delivered as integrated literacy programming)
• Activity kits for classroom, grade-level, or school-wide use
• Early readers
  , often bundled with companion print materials and activity kits
• Multi-site or repeat engagements across schools, districts, or education programs
• Picture books
  , typically purchased selectively depending on school type, budget, and instructional goals
• Curriculum and teaching guides
  , provided as supporting materials and typically included as part of broader engagements

• Conduct consistent outreach through calls, emails, in-person visits, and events
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of schools, libraries, and education programs
• Secure meetings with principals, assistant principals, librarians, curriculum leaders, program directors, district staff, and PTA leaders
• Represent Little Ruth with confidence, warmth, and clear product knowledge
• Present Little Ruth offerings clearly and thoughtfully to schools and programs
• Tailor solutions to each partner’s instructional goals, student population, schedule, and funding environment
• Manage relationships across public, private, parochial, and charter settings
• Convert initial engagements into paid Story Lab packages and Activity Kit implementations
• Close new business and expand partnerships through repeat visits, additional grades, or multi-site engagements
• Participate in weekly or bi-weekly real-time working sessions with leadership
• Provide clear updates on outreach activity, scheduled meetings, pipeline status, and closed business
• Collaborate to refine messaging, pitches, and partnership approaches as the work evolves

• Attend evening PTA meetings, literacy nights, and school community events
• Represent Little Ruth at local and national education conferences and trade shows
• Support school-based programming, pilot launches, and author visits as needed

• At least 5 years of experience in K–3 or elementary education sales, partnerships, or business development
• Proven experience selling books, curriculum, instructional materials, educational programs, or services
• A strong existing network across DC, Maryland, and Virginia school systems
• E…