WorldStrides is the global leader in educational travel and experiential learning. The company was founded in 1967 to provide middle school travel programs to Washington, D.C. and has grown to provide a wide range of programs for more than half a million students annually to over 100 countries around the world. WorldStrides offers experiential learning programs in educational travel, performing arts, language immersion, career exploration, service-learning, study abroad, and sports. Each of these experiences helps students to see beyond the classroom and to see the world – and themselves – in new ways.
Job Description:
The Relationship Manager (RM), K-12 District Relations is responsible for developing, expanding, and sustaining strategic relationships within assigned school districts and schools where WorldStrides holds an approved status (RFP, ITB, Approved Vendor, or Accepted Vendor). This role focuses on navigating district and school-level ecosystems to identify, influence, and connect the right educators and decision-makers with WorldStrides Sales and Account Managers.
The Relationship Manager does not operate as a traditional salesperson, but as a trusted connector, advocate, and influencer—working across multiple layers of district and school leadership to enable program adoption across all K-12 Group product lines, including Domestic and International programs.
Responsibilities:
District & School Relationship Development
- Establish and maintain high-level relationships within assigned districts where WorldStrides is approved to do business or has the potential to do business with WorldStrides.
- Build credibility and trust with key stakeholders, including superintendents, assistant superintendents, principals, department heads, curriculum directors, counselors, travel coordinators, and student services leaders.
- Navigate district organizational structures and approval processes to identify pathways for WorldStrides programs to reach classrooms.
- Act as a long-term partner to districts, supporting their educational travel goals rather than short-term transactions.
Opportunity Enablement & Lead Development
- Partner closely with Sales Representatives and Account Managers to surface and qualify program opportunities within districts and schools.
- Identify and connect Sales and Account Managers with the “right teacher” or program sponsor for each opportunity.
- Leverage district-level relationships to enable adoption across multiple schools and programs.
- Support both new program introductions and rebooking or retention of existing district business.
- Support and attend local and national conferences, conventions and trade shows.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Collaborate with Sales, Account Management, Marketing, Operations, and Product teams to ensure alignment and consistency.
- Attend and actively participate in departmental, team, and cross-functional meetings to support district and account strategies.
- Participate in joint strategy planning for key districts and accounts.
- Assist with presentations, pricing strategies, and proposals using approved systems and tools.
- Attend district or school meetings virtually or in person when relationship support is needed.
Pricing & Compliance Oversight
- Ensure adherence to approved pricing guidelines, particularly in districts where WorldStrides has been awarded RFPs or ITBs.
- Partner with Sales and Account Managers to reinforce compliant pricing practices aligned with district agreements.
- Serve as a point of accountability for understanding district-specific pricing requirements and guardrails.
- Escalate pricing exceptions or compliance concerns through appropriate internal channels.
Program Growth & Engagement
- Support efforts to maximize participation and program size by engaging in on-campus and off-campus events.
- Advocate for WorldStrides’ full portfolio of K-12 Group programs, ensuring districts are aware of all available offerings.
- Help reinforce WorldStrides’ mission of expanding access to life-changing experiences for students.
Tools, Data & Accountability
- Consistently and accurately document district contacts, activities, and insights within the CRM.
- Share account intelligence transparently to enable cross-team success.
- Use approved communication channels to meet engagement expectations and KPIs.
- Contribute to pipeline visibility by supporting accurate forecasting and opportunity tracking.
Qualifications:
- Strong desire to make a meaningful impact in education.
- Proven ability to build and sustain professional relationships.
- Comfort working through extended sales cycles in educational environments.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills.
- Ability to collaborate in a team-based organization.
- Willingness to travel and work evenings as needed.
- Proficiency in CRM tools and Microsoft Office.
- Ability to perform additional lite work in multiple programs/apps including multiple CRMs.
- Must meet all school district compliance requirements, including successful completion of background checks and fingerprinting, to obtain authorization for access to district property.
- Experience working with K-12 school districts or public-sector procurement.
- Background in education or educational travel.
- Public speaking experience with educators or administrators.
- Strong organizational and attention-to-detail skills.
Work Perks:
- Fun & driven environment.
- Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage, life, accidental death and dismemberment, accident, critical illness, and disability insurance, FSA healthcare, FSA dependent care, HSA with employer contribution, and generous 401k match.
- 11 paid floating corporate holidays, 1 paid volunteer day & up to 25 PTO days to start – accrue up to 28 over 3 years, 4 mental health days, and 5 bereavement days.
- Tuition reimbursement up to $5,250 annually
- $1,000 towards professional certifications annually
- Opportunities for paid and discounted travel.
- Flexible work schedule providing on-site, remote, and virtual office opportunities.
- Encouraged participation in our Employee Resource Groups and Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion council.
- Fitness Center and café onsite at select locations.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Paid Parental, Caregiver, and Disability leave.
- Team Member Discount Program
The minimum and maximum full-time annual salaries for this role are listed below, by location. Please note that this salary information is solely for candidates hired to perform work within one of these locations, and refers to the amount WorldStrides is willing to pay at the time of this posting. Salaries for part-time roles will be prorated based upon the agreed upon number of hours to be regularly worked.
Candidates hired to work in other locations will be subject to the pay range associated with that location, and the actual annualized salary amount offered to any candidate at the time of hire will be reflected solely in the candidate’s offer letter.
The minimum and maximum full-time annual salaries for this role are listed below, by location. Please note that this salary information is solely for candidates hired to perform work within one of these locations, and refers to the amount WorldStrides is willing to pay at the time of this posting. Salaries for part-time roles will be prorated based upon the agreed upon number of hours to be regularly worked.
Candidates hired to work in other locations will be subject to the pay range associated with that location, and the actual annualized salary amount offered to any candidate at the time of hire will be reflected solely in the candidate’s offer letter.
The minimum and maximum full-time annual salaries for this role are listed below, by location. Please note that this salary information is solely for candidates hired to perform work within one of these locations, and refers to the amount WorldStrides is willing to pay at the time of this posting. Salaries for part-time roles will be prorated based upon the agreed upon number of hours to be regularly worked.
Candidates hired to work in other locations will be subject to the pay range associated with that location, and the actual annualized salary amount offered to any candidate at the time of hire will be reflected solely in the candidate’s offer letter.
WorldStrides, a global organization, is committed to educate and serve communities worldwide. Our commitment is fueled by the passion of our team members and partners to make experiential learning accessible, while also being socially, environmentally, and ethically responsible. Together, we accomplish this by investing in initiatives to promote inclusion, diversity, and sustainability.
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, WorldStrides is committed to building a diverse workforce, supported by an environment that promotes inclusion and belonging. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
WorldStrides will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States. This is not a position for which sponsorship will be provided. Individuals with temporary visas such as E, F-1, J-1, H-1, H-2, L, B, J or TN, or who need sponsorship for work authorization now or in the future, are not eligible for hire. Select seasonal roles may consider students on J-1 or F-1 visas.
Skills Required
- Proven ability to build and sustain professional relationships
- Experience working with K-12 school districts or public-sector procurement
- Excellent communication and presentation skills
- Proficiency in CRM tools and Microsoft Office
- Must meet all school district compliance requirements
What We Do
WorldStrides provides educational travel and experiences to more than 530,000 students a year. Founded in 1967 by a middle school social studies teacher from Chicago, the company has since grown to become a leader in experiential learning for students of all ages throughout their lifetime learning journey. In addition to domestic and international travel and study abroad programs, WorldStrides offerings include performing arts, sports, language immersion, career exploration, and service-learning. Each of these experiences helps students to see beyond the classroom and to see the world – and themselves – in new ways. Our global team is 1,500+ strong, united by a passion for what we do. We work with students, parents, and teachers, and behind the scenes too, to deliver experiences that transform lives. Let's get out there - together! Community Guidelines We are happy to address questions you may have, but in order to foster a vibrant and useful online community, we’ve outlined a few guidelines to be followed when posting on the WorldStrides and affiliated brands' social channels . Any comments that are in violation of the guidelines will be removed, and repeat offenders may be blocked. Comments will be removed if they contain: • Profane, inappropriate, threatening or offensive language; • Violations of copyright or intellectual property rights; • Purposefully untrue or misleading statements; • Comments that are meant to derail or hijack constructive conversations; • Personal information of community members or WorldStrides employees; • Posts that link to potentially harmful sites.
