Partnerships Manager

• This role is about relationships, not cold outreach
• You’ll be on Zūm’s front lines - building the pipeline, shaping the strategy, and earning business that lets Zūm reach more students
• Lead new-business growth for Zūm across a defined state or regional territory (e.g., New York or Illinois), building and executing a strategic account and government-relations plan
• Build and personally maintain deep, durable relationships with Superintendents, district Transportation Directors, Business/Finance Officials, and state-level transportation or education officials
• Represent Zūm in person — conferences, association events, district visits, and relationship-building engagements (dinners, site visits, industry functions)
• Identify and qualify new business opportunities by tracking district budget cycles, contract expirations, RFP calendars, and state policy or funding shifts that create openings
• Support competitive public-sector RFP processes, assembling and coaching internal teams through written responses and oral/interview presentations
• Serve as the trusted advisor and go-to relationship for named accounts even after close, ensuring smooth handoff to Operations and protecting the relationship through renewal
• Represent Zūm with state pupil transportation associations, school board associations, and relevant government affairs forums to build brand presence and credibility

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision benefits, including paid membership to One Medical
• Unlimited vacation policy
• Free daily catered lunches + fully stocked kitchen at HQ
• Ability to have a huge impact at an early-stage, mission-driven startup
• Fun office culture and a team you would be proud to work with- We’re looking for a seasoned business development and/or partnerships professional with experience in K-12 school districts, who is already known, and knows K-12 School District Leaders, including but not limited to Superintendents, Chief Financial Officers (CFOs), Chief Operating Officers (COOs), Business Officials, and Transportation Directors in IL and the Midwest and NY and the Northeast),who shape student mobility decisions
• You’ve spent time building relationships in the room with these stakeholders: at conferences, over dinner, on the phone at odd hours
• You understand the rhythm of public-sector budget cycles and RFPs, and you know how to move a relationship from a handshake to a signed contract without coming across as transactional
• Bachelor’s degree, though relevant relationship depth and track record will outweigh formal education requirements
• Existing membership or active involvement in state pupil transportation associations (e.g., TAPT in Texas, NYAPT in New York) or national bodies (NAPT, NSTA)
• Demonstrated success managing long, multi-stakeholder public-sector sales cycles and competitive government RFP processes, including oral/interview presentations
• Strong consultative selling skills: ability to diagnose a district’s pressures and position Zūm CMX credibly
• 10+ years of partnerships, business development, sales, or government relations experience in student transportation, transit, or a closely related public-sector-facing industry
• High degree of personal integrity and discretion. This role represents Zūm to public officials and must navigate procurement ethics rules and gift/hospitality policies correctly
• Existing, active relationships with Superintendents, COOs, CFO / CBOs, Transportation Directors, and/or state transportation or education officials— this is a relationship-first hire, not a cold-start territory builder