[Hiring] Business Development Manager @LanguageBird

Role Description

LanguageBird is seeking a Business Development Manager to develop and grow referral and outbound channels that connect prospective learners and parents/guardians with LanguageBird's personalized language learning programs. This role is responsible for leading our Independent Educational Consultant (IEC) recognition program and affiliate partner program, building meaningful relationships with advisors and organizations that influence enrollment decisions, and developing outbound opportunities that generate new learner interest and enrollments.

Working closely with the Chief Revenue Officer and cross-functional teams, the Business Development Manager will help expand LanguageBird's reach through strategic partnerships, relationship development, and new market opportunities. This position offers significant ownership of referral programs and the opportunity to shape how these channels grow over time.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and develop LanguageBird's IEC recognition and affiliate partner programs, including program structure, partner engagement, and ongoing improvements.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with IECs, affiliate organizations, and other referral partners through proactive outreach and consistent communication.
• Identify and develop new referral partnerships and affiliate opportunities that align with LanguageBird's target audiences and growth objectives.
• Represent LanguageBird at industry conferences, events, and regional meetings to strengthen relationships and expand referral opportunities.
• Develop and execute personalized outbound outreach strategies targeting prospective learners, previous inquiries, and new audience segments.
• Research and identify new markets, lead sources, and partnership opportunities that support referral and outbound channel growth.
• Manage partner recognition activities, engagement tracking, and referral program reporting.
• Maintain accurate partner, prospect, and pipeline information in HubSpot, including relationship history, activity, and next steps.
• Monitor referral and outbound channel performance, using data and market insights to recommend improvements and guide priorities.
• Work closely with the Chief Revenue Officer and cross-functional teams to support revenue growth and continuously strengthen business development strategies.

Qualifications

• Three or more years of experience in business development, channel sales, partnership management, or a closely related role.
• Demonstrated experience building or managing referral, affiliate, or partner programs with measurable outcomes.
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills, particularly with professional audiences such as advisors, counselors, and organizational partners.
• Experience with outbound prospecting and pipeline development using a consultative, research-driven approach.
• Proficiency with HubSpot or a comparable CRM for pipeline and relationship management.
• Ability to represent an organization professionally and credibly at conferences, events, and partner meetings.
• Strong organizational skills, initiative, and accountability, with the ability to work independently and manage competing priorities in a remote environment.
• Must be able to travel by air and motor vehicle to attend conferences, industry events, and partner meetings as required.
• Must reside in and be eligible to work in the United States.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with or marketing to IECs or the broader college counseling community.
• Familiarity with education-related conferences, particularly IECA or HECA, and their guidelines around referral and affiliate relationships.
• Background in education, educational technology, or a premium consumer services brand.
• Experience developing outbound strategies for businesses with longer customer consideration cycles.
• Experience designing or developing tiered partner or referral programs from the ground up.

Compensation & Benefits

• Compensation: $65,000 + commission
• Benefits: Medical, PTO, 401(k) with matching, remote work setup, growth opportunities, mission-driven team