Business Developer - Strategic Partnerships Manager
Location: Chicago Area (Hybrid/Remote Options Available)
Reports To: CEO
The Opportunity
Build the B2B partnership engine that brings research-backed cognitive training to schools and students worldwide. As our first Business Developer, you will shape strategy from the ground up and work directly with our CEO to define how Mastermind scales its impact across education.
Our Mission
Mastermind Cognitive Training helps people realize their peak cognitive performance through neuroscience-based brain training. Born from the question, “What if we could unlock the brain’s full potential through modern technology?”—we have created an engaging, evidence-driven platform that strengthens attention, working memory, processing speed, and executive function.
Unlike most EdTech companies, we back our claims with published university research. Studies have shown measurable gains in academic performance, athletic outcomes, and cognitive scores. For example, athletes using Mastermind demonstrated significantly greater performance improvements than control groups. We are now running large-scale studies across K–12 education to quantify improvements in attention, focus, and learning outcomes.
This is about more than selling software—it’s about transforming how educators and coaches help students achieve their potential through technology that strengthens the brain’s ability to learn, focus, and perform.
About the Role
We have a validated product, peer-reviewed research, and growing demand in education, athletics, and wellness. Now we need a dedicated partnership engine to bring this solution to the schools and programs that need it most.
As our first Business Developer, you will be building—not inheriting—the playbook. You will own the entire B2B strategy for the education sector, working directly with the CEO to establish Mastermind as the cognitive training solution of choice. You will engage school leaders, district administrators, and education partners—turning research insights into compelling value propositions and long-term relationships.
Your work will directly enable thousands of students to strengthen their cognitive skills and achieve better outcomes.
What You Will Do
- Build Market Presence: Establish Mastermind in education through flagship partnerships with schools, districts, enrichment programs, and tutoring organizations.
- Create Scalable Systems: Develop a qualified sales pipeline, clear prospecting framework, and repeatable outreach process that supports predictable growth.
- Represent the Brand: Attend education conferences, deliver presentations, and position Mastermind as the credible, research-backed leader in cognitive training.
- Develop the Playbook: Document effective outreach, messaging, and closing strategies that form the foundation for a scalable partnerships team.
- Provide Market Insights: Translate educator conversations into actionable insights on pricing, positioning, and go-to-market strategy.
Key Challenges You Will Navigate
- Long Sales Cycles: Education partnerships can take 6–12 months from first conversation to close. Persistence and relationship depth will be critical.
- Multi-Stakeholder Environments: You will engage superintendents, curriculum directors, and procurement teams—navigating complex decision-making processes.
- Technical Translation: You will translate neuroscience and data into outcomes educators care about: focus, attention, and academic improvement.
- Building from Scratch: No established pipeline or script exists—you will create structure from ambiguity with resourcefulness and creativity.
- Market Skepticism: You will overcome barriers to new learning technologies through credibility, authenticity, and evidence-based storytelling.
Who You Are
- Mission-Driven: You care deeply about student growth and connect authentically to Mastermind’s impact.
- Curious & Articulate: You enjoy learning complex topics (like neuroscience) and explaining them clearly to educators.
- Relationship-Oriented: You build trust through partnership, not transactions, and take pride in long-term client success.
- Persistent & Patient: You thrive in long-cycle environments, treating “no” as “not yet.”
- Entrepreneurial: You are energized by building from zero—crafting structure and momentum with limited resources.
- Metrics-Minded: You manage your pipeline with precision, track conversion metrics, and iterate based on evidence.
- Strategic Partner: You bring insights that shape company direction, not just hit quotas.
What we are Looking For
- Proven consultative selling experience in complex B2B environments with long sales cycles.
- Understanding of education sector decision-making (schools, districts, enrichment programs, tutoring, etc.).
- Experience building something from scratch in a startup or new market.
- Strong ability to translate research-based or technical concepts into accessible, outcome-focused language.
- Demonstrated passion for education and impact-oriented work.
- Willingness to travel (20–30%) for conferences and relationship-building.
No rigid degree or experience threshold—if you can achieve the outcomes and embody these traits, we want to talk.
What We Offer
- Mission Impact: Your work directly improves student focus, learning, and academic results.
- Strategic Ownership: Shape the entire B2B growth playbook alongside our CEO.
- Research-Backed Credibility: Sell a proven solution supported by peer-reviewed science and university research.
- Empowering Culture: Leadership that provides clear vision and autonomy—no micromanagement, just collaboration.
- Equity Potential: Early hire with meaningful upside in a growing, PE-backed company.
- Flexibility: Remote-friendly with Chicago HQ; freedom to structure your work and travel strategically.
- Competitive Compensation: Base + performance-based incentives tied to partnerships and revenue growth.
Our Culture & Values
- Scientific Integrity: Every claim we make is backed by data and research.
- Outcome-Focused Innovation: We build technology that delivers measurable results for students and educators.
- Accountability with Autonomy: Clear goals, high trust, and ownership of results.
- Continuous Growth: We reflect, adapt, and iterate constantly—individually and collectively.
- Inclusivity: Cognitive training should empower everyone—students, athletes, professionals, and beyond.
Ready to Make an Impact?
If you are excited by the challenge of building from scratch, passionate about education impact, and ready to define a new category in cognitive training, we would love to meet you.
To Apply:
Complete this form and include a short note (3–4 sentences) answering: “What about this opportunity excites you, and what experience shows you’ll thrive here?”
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis—we move quickly for aligned candidates.
Mastermind Cognitive Training is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to building an inclusive environment where everyone can do their best work.