Director, Business Development

Overview:
The Director, Corporate Engagement – Business Development will serve as an expert salesperson within Year Up United’s Corporate Engagement function, which works to secure high-quality, work-based experiences for all Year Up United students and to develop partnerships with major corporations nationwide. This role follows a hybrid work model and requires a minimum of two days per week in the office.

Reporting to the Sr. Director, Corporate Engagement – Business Development, this role will personally drive new business development on the ground – building brand-new relationships that yield internship placements across the full spectrum of employer partners, from Large Local Accounts (single-market employers able to take 5+ interns per cycle) to national Employers of Influence (EOI) able to take 25+ Year Up United interns per cycle across three or more geographies. The Director will engage corporations of all sizes, from local employers to Fortune 500 companies, that are in need of entry-level talent, providing trained, high-potential young adults with high-quality internships and ensuring a program of support and professional development for these young adults throughout their internships. The ideal candidate should desire to leverage their demonstrated experience in sales, strategy, and business development practices within our mission-driven social enterprise.

The impact of this role will be measured by growth in new employer partnerships and achievement of KPIs related to developing leads, presenting to C-suite staff, closing revenue, and cleanly handing new client relationships over to colleagues for ongoing account management and delivery.

As Director, you will also help advance Year Up United’s innovation agenda by positioning Grads of Life and YUPRO Placement offerings to prospective partners as part of a broader solution to their talent needs.

In keeping with Year Up United’s values, the Director will also have the opportunity to interact with students as coach, group facilitator, and advocate, participating in creating and sustaining a positive educational environment, with trust among students, program managers, and site leaders.

Year Up United requires regular in-person engagement. Applicants must live within a reasonable commutable distance to a Year Up United location.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

New Business Development

• Build and manage a pipeline of target prospect accounts – spanning Large Local Accounts to national Employers of Influence – and drive external activity and top-down, C-suite sales.
• Review personal pipeline monthly to add or remove target accounts and prioritize the highest-value opportunities.
• Meet or exceed performance indicators, including: number of executive meetings per month; new internship placements and revenue from new partners; and cross-selling of Grads of Life and YUPRO Placement offerings to prospective partners.
• Regularly attend networking and industry events to generate new leads for self or colleagues.
• Create and deliver compelling proposals and presentations showcasing Year Up United’s model and track record for solving corporate entry-level talent needs.
• Engage C-level executives and decision-makers in formal and informal settings to build credibility and close new business.
• Establish and maintain relationships with industry influencers and key strategic partners to expand deal flow.
• Craft account-specific playbooks and cleanly transition new accounts to Corporate Engagement colleagues for ongoing account management following the pilot/launch phase.
• Personally utilize Salesforce.com to maintain accurate records of all prospecting and sales activity, including calls, presentations, closed sales, and follow-up actions.
• Partner with the Revenue Operations team to leverage existing processes, analytics, and enablement tools that support new business outcomes in the field.

Site Team / Learning Community Member

• Serve as a coach/mentor for a small number of current students.
• Join and sometimes facilitate weekly group sessions with students.
• Participate in staff meetings and trainings.

*And other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

• 7–10+ years of professional experience in business development and/or consultative sales to enterprise-level accounts.
• Demonstrated ability to generate leads, close new business, and manage annual sales targets of $5M+.
• Successful, documented track record in new business sales, with strengths in meaningful relationship building.
• Consummate networking skills, with an ability to move comfortably and credibly in the community.
• Strong business acumen with an adaptable, outcomes-oriented selling style.
• Demonstrated ability to set direction and manage complex sales processes and pipelines.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• A professional and resourceful style, with the ability to work independently and as a team player, take initiative, and manage multiple deals and priorities at once.
• Ability to collaborate across teams, facilitate difficult conversations, and resolve issues.
• Ability to lead, willingness to be led, and comfort with situational leadership.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office required; familiarity with Salesforce.com helpful.
• A passion for working with and advocating for young adults, an unshakable belief in their potential, and a strong commitment to the mission of Year Up United.
• Understanding of the Opportunity Divide and its drivers.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Salary Range: $138,200 - $161,300

#LI-Hybrid

WORKING AT YEAR UP UNITED:

Starting January 5, 2026, employees are expected to work on-site at least two days per week (Monday through Thursday dependent on job requirements). To be eligible for employment, candidates must live and work in a state (or an approved proximate state*) where Year Up United operates. For a list of eligible locations, please visit: https://www.yearup.org/job-training/locations

*Approved proximate states where Year Up United operates are: Connecticut, Indiana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, South Carolina and Virginia.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

• Year Up United has established salary ranges for each of our sites, which allows us to pay employees competitively, equitably and consistently in different geographic markets. For roles in which the location is listed as flexible, the range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position across all US locations. Salary offers take into account a candidate’s skills, experience, and location. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your location during the hiring process.

• Benefits: Comprehensive healthcare options and dental coverage; 401(k) match for eligible participants.

• Vacation: Earn three weeks paid vacation in first year of employment; four weeks after initial year.

** This is an exempt role (paid on a salaried basis). **

ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION:

Year Up United is a national 501(c)3 workforce development organization committed to ensuring equitable access to economic opportunity, education, and justice for all young adults—no matter their background, income, or zip code. Employers face a growing need for talent while millions of talented young adults lack access to meaningful careers. These inequities only further perpetuate the opportunity gap that exists in our country—a gap that Year Up United is determined and positioned to close through three interconnected strategies: providing targeted skills training and connections to livable-wage employment for students and alumni; empowering others to serve and support young adults, and changing systems that perpetuate the opportunity gap. Year Up United’s intensive training program utilizes a high expectations, high support model where students learn in-demand technical and professional skills and apply them during a corporate internship. Year Up United has directly served more than 40,000 young adults since its founding in 2000. Year Up United's nationwide presence includes Arizona, Austin, Bay Area, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Greater Atlanta, Greater Boston, Greater Philadelphia, Jacksonville, Los Angeles, the National Capital Region, New York City/Jersey City, Pittsburgh, Puget Sound, Rhode Island, South Florida, Tampa Bay, and Wilmington.

Voted one of the Best Nonprofits to Work For in the country by The NonProfit Times, Year Up United is a rewarding and impactful place to work. Our staff is passionate, supportive, mission-driven, and committed to positive change and continuous learning. We set high standards for both ourselves and our students and live by a set of core values that reflect an unshakable belief in the talent and potential of our young people. The work we do is life-changing, and we know that our team is the greatest asset in achieving our mission.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY:

Year Up United embraces diversity and equal opportunity in a serious way. All aspects of employment, including the decision to hire, promote, discharge, or discipline, are based on meritocracy. We do not permit discrimination and harassment of any type 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 characteristics protected by federal, state, or local laws. Learn more about our commitment to diversity: http://www.yearup.org/about-us/careers/commitment-to-diversity/

Year Up United is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Your recruiter can provide details regarding the expected work environment and any physical requirements. Please let our hiring team know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process. Information received relating to accommodation will be addressed confidentially.

TO APPLY:

Please submit a thoughtful cover letter and resume through our website.

We respectfully request no phone calls.