Business Development Manager

Job Title: Business Development Manager

• Location: Remote (U.S.-based)
• Reports To: Chief Revenue Officer
• Employment Type: Full-Time

FLSA Classification: Exempt

• Compensation:
• $ 65,000 + Commission

Who We Are

• LanguageBird® is an accredited online language school providing personalized language learning experiences to learners around the world. Through one-to-one instruction and partnerships with schools and organizations, we help learners build language skills through meaningful human connection, flexibility, and learning experiences designed around their goals.
• As LanguageBird continues to grow , we’re expanding our reach and building partnerships that help more schools and learners experience what LanguageBird has to offer.

Our company core values are Growth Mindset, Relationships, Ownership & Outcomes, Work with Intention & Momentum, Team Energy & Positivity, and Human Connection. They guide how we work, make decisions, and show up for our learners, partners, and one another. We look for team members who embrace these values and bring them to life in their work each day.

About the Role

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 IEC s, 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

Required 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 IEC s 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

• •Comp ensation: $65,000 +
• comm ission

Benefits: Medical, PTO, 401 (k) with matching, remote work setup, growth opportunities, mission-driven team