Director of Strategic Partnerships

At Instawork, our mission is to create meaningful economic opportunities for local businesses and skilled hourly professionals in communities around the world. We're building the leading AI-powered labor marketplace—and we're looking for exceptional talent to help us scale quickly and make an even greater impact. Backed by world-class investors like Benchmark, Spark Capital, Craft Ventures, Greylock, Y Combinator, and others, we’re transforming the way the world works.

We’re looking for a dynamic Director of Strategic Partnerships to lead and grow Instawork’s Higher Education vertical and help manage our Higher Ed corporate partnerships. In this high-impact role, you’ll be the key contact for our Higher Ed business line, maintain strong industry relationships, and help manage a curated portfolio of our university-focused MSA relationships.  

This high-energy, client-facing role is ideal for someone with strong sales acumen and a deep understanding of the university and hospitality industries. You’ll play a key role in shaping our presence across the sector by building trusted relationships, identifying business opportunities, and ensuring Instawork becomes your partners' go-to staffing and hiring solution.

What You’ll Do

• Lead Higher Ed strategy - Serve as the primary point of contact across all university departments.  
• Lead Higher Ed system-level sales - coordinate business development efforts across major university systems (e.g., CUNY, SUNY, University of Texas, California State System, University of Georgia).
• Represent IW at key Higher Ed conferences (NACAS, NACUFS, NAEP, etc.) to build relationships and thought leadership.
• Oversee the Higher Ed RFP calendar; respond to all applicable opportunities.
• Visit key markets and business units to build relationships with regional executives, engage directly with key decision-makers, and strengthen Instawork’s visibility and strategic presence.
• Partner with the Instawork Sales team on strategic opportunities to accelerate deal velocity and expansion
• Act as a hospitality industry expert, advising partners on how Instawork aligns with their staffing needs
• Collaborate cross-functionally to enhance the customer experience and unlock new growth channels.
• Travel Requirement: ~50% travel expected for campus visits, conferences, and corporate partner meetings.

What We’re Looking For

• 7+ years of experience in a Higher Ed/Hospitality-focused role, preferably in a partnerships, sales, or enterprise account role
• Familiarity with navigating campus departments (dining, facilities, procurement, etc)
• Experience working with corporate partners such as Aramark, Compass and Sodexo 
• Proven track record of exceeding sales and revenue targets
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills with a consultative, solution-oriented approach
• Strong problem-solving skills and ownership mentality—you're proactive, not reactive
• Proficiency in Salesforce and managing complex pipelines
• Skilled in stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration
• Passion for Instawork’s mission and a drive to make a measurable impact
• Entrepreneurial mindset with creativity and agility to adapt in a fast-paced environment
• Willingness to travel to partner sites, conferences, and events as needed

For IL based applicants: 

• This role offers a compensation package that includes a base salary and performance-based quarterly bonuses, with total earnings ranging from $130,000 to $200,000.
• This position is eligible for equity in the form of stock options
• This position is eligible for Instawork benefits, including:
• A variety of medical, dental, and vision plans with coverage beginning on the date of hire
• Flexible paid time off
• At least 8 paid company holidays annually
• Home office stipend
• Phone stipend
• Commuter stipend
• Supplemental pay on qualified leaves
• Employee health savings accounts (HSA) contribution
• Flexible spending plans
• 401K plan
• Perkspot - discount program through Lumity

Various factors are considered when determining compensation,