Sales Manager

Today, 67% of students and 82% of low-income students can’t read at grade level by the end of third grade. That’s when students are supposed to go from learning to read to reading to learn. It’s America’s number one education crisis and we know how to fix it.

Ignite Reading delivers one-to-one virtual tutoring that teaches every student the foundational skills they need to become a confident, fluent reader. We pair students who need extra support with expert reading tutors who provide daily, 15-minute, Science of Reading-based instruction that rapidly closes their decoding gaps. We focus on the foundational reading skills—phonics, phonemic awareness, and sight words—kids need to master so they can decode a sentence. Students in Ignite Reading’s program achieve over 2 weeks of reading skills growth per week of instruction, and notably all students achieve the same outstanding results including students with IEPs, multilingual learners, students of color and those receiving free or reduced-price lunch.

Ignite Reading is a mission-driven public benefit corporation. We believe we can do well for our team members and shareholders while we solve one of the nation’s biggest challenges. We believe we will be more successful with a diverse team and are seeking candidates who have lived experience related to social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Your Role

At Ignite Reading, we’re on a mission to ensure every child learns to read, and our sales team is the engine that makes that impact possible. We’re looking for a Frontline Sales Manager who loves the "heart of the work"—the day-to-day energy of leading a team and seeing deals cross the finish line.

This isn't a role for sitting behind a spreadsheet; it’s a role for someone who wants to be in the trenches with their team. You’ll be the primary coach and cheerleader for a group of dedicated reps, helping them navigate the unique world of K-12 partnerships.

This role requires regular travel to attend district meetings, conferences, team gatherings, partner events, and in-person customer engagements nationwide.

Key Responsibilities

Pipeline & Deal Management

• Guide the Momentum: Lead weekly pipeline reviews with every rep, ensuring our data is accurate and no opportunity is left behind.

• Collaborative Deal Coaching: Deep-dive into opportunities in real time to help identify roadblocks and map out clear, actionable next steps to keep things moving.

• Fuel Our Growth: Support consistent outbound activity and pipeline generation, helping reps stay energized and accountable to their targets.

• Represent Ignite Reading Nationally: Attend conferences, partner events, and industry gatherings as a visible ambassador for Ignite Reading’s mission and impact.

• Field Leadership & Customer Engagement: Build Relationships in Person: Travel regularly to support reps in the field, strengthen district relationships, and participate in key customer conversations.

• Master the K-12 Journey: Act as a seasoned guide for your team as they navigate the nuances of district sales, from RFPs and board approvals to building consensus with multiple stakeholders.

Coaching & Performance

• Holistic Mentorship: Coach 5+ individual reps on their skills, sales process, and mindset—focusing on the "how" just as much as the "what."

• Close the Gaps: Proactively identify where deals might be stalling and partner with your reps to build a strategy that improves conversion at every stage.

• Actionable Feedback: Provide feedback that is kind, specific, and designed to help your team grow. We value clear, honest communication over generic encouragement.

• Individualized Support: Stay close to weekly performance metrics so you know exactly who needs an extra hand or a new challenge.

• Know the Mission, Deeply: Develop and maintain a working knowledge of the Science of Reading so you can speak credibly about Ignite Reading's instructional approach, coach your reps to lead with conviction, and ensure every district conversation is grounded in the evidence behind our program.

Process & CRM Heartbeat

• Maintain Our Source of Truth: Champion "CRM hygiene" in HubSpot. We rely on clean data to make informed decisions that support our mission.

• Consistency is Key: Reinforce a consistent sales process across the team, ensuring we’re all working in harmony to provide a seamless experience for our partners.

• Operations Partnership: Work hand-in-hand with Sales Ops to build a reliable, high-trust pipeline.

• Seamless Transitions: Collaborate closely with our Customer Experience team to ensure that when a district joins us, the handoff is smooth and the foundation for long-term retention is set.

You’re a natural leader who finds joy in the success of others. You know that behind every "closed-won" deal is a child whose life is about to change, and you bring that sense of purpose to work every day.

This role was built for you if:

• You prefer active coaching over high-level strategy.

• You have a "precision-meets-empathy" approach to sales management.

• You understand the complexity of the education market and enjoy the puzzle of a multi-stakeholder deal.

• You lead by example, setting a positive tone and a steady pace for your team.

Qualifications

We aren't looking for a resume that simply checks off boxes; we’re looking for a proven leader who loves the craft of building great teams. Here’s the kind of experience we’re excited about:

• Mentorship & Leadership: You’ve spent at least 2 years guiding a team of 5+ quota-carrying reps. You don't just manage from afar—you take genuine pride in your team’s growth and performance.

• A Coach’s Heart: You’re right there in the huddle with your team. You don't just "review" deals; you help coach them across the finish line with strategy and insight.

• Fluency in Our Why: You understand the Science of Reading and the research behind foundational literacy instruction. You don't need to be a curriculum expert, but you should be able to speak to why Ignite Reading's approach works and help your team do the same with confidence.

• The Tech Basics: You’re comfortable keeping things organized in a CRM. We use HubSpot, so experience there is required; Salesforce or something similar is fine.

• The Long Game: You understand the art of the long-term relationship. You’re comfortable navigating sales cycles that last 3 to 12+ months and enjoy the challenge of working with multiple stakeholders.

• A Passion for Learning: While experience in Education or the Public Sector is a lovely bonus, it’s certainly not a dealbreaker. What really matters to us is your curiosity and your ability to truly understand our buyers.

• Flexibility to Travel: You’re excited to spend meaningful time in the field with customers and your team. This role requires approximately 30–40% travel throughout the year, including conferences, district visits, and team events.

• The Beauty of the Process: You find your rhythm in the "nitty-gritty." You’re someone who feels energized by consistency, rigor, and steady repetition rather than being drained by it.

• Heartfelt Communication: You’re a clear, kind communicator. Your team never has to guess where they stand or what’s expected of them—they feel supported and informed every step of the way.

At Ignite Reading, we've embraced a transparent compensation structure to promote fairness and equity, provide accountability, and build trust within our organization.

Salary: $120,000 base, $220K OTE (this role is full-time, exempt)

We also ensure you have the tools you need to thrive both in and out of work.

📈 Employee Stock Options - we want our success to be yours too

🩺 Medical, Dental, and Vision plans to support you and your well-being (80% employee coverage, 70% dependent coverage)

🏥 Short-term Disability (100% employer paid)

🏦 401(k) retirement plans with company contribution

👶 12-weeks paid parental leave

🌴 Unlimited vacation days (+ 12 paid holidays)

💻 Technology Stipend

🧘 Wellness Stipend

🛟 Voluntary Life Insurance

👩‍💻 Professional Development Stipend

We believe in building and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace environment. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer where all applicants are considered for employment without attention to color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status. Research shows that candidates from underrepresented backgrounds often don't apply for roles if they don't meet all the criteria – unlike majority candidates meeting significantly fewer requirements. We strongly encourage you to apply if you’re interested!

We are seeking candidates who have lived experience related to social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are a virtual organization with headquarters in the California Bay Area.