Ascend Learning

Senior Director Business Development

Ascend Learning$154K — $220K *
Healthcare
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree required; MBA preferred
  • 10+ years in business development or strategic growth roles
  • 7+ years leading high-performing teams in relevant sectors
  • Proven success in closing complex, high-value deals
  • Strong understanding of allied health education
  • Exceptional executive presence and communication skills
  • Data-driven decision maker with analytical skills

Responsibilities

  • Develop and execute a comprehensive business development strategy
  • Lead and mentor a high-performing sales team
  • Identify and prioritize new market opportunities
  • Analyze industry trends to inform strategic initiatives
  • Establish and grow strategic partnerships with key stakeholders
  • Negotiate complex agreements that drive growth
  • Build and manage a robust business development pipeline

Benefits

  • Health, dental, and vision insurance
  • Company-paid life insurance
  • 401(k) with company match
  • Paid time off and parental leave
  • Employee assistance program
  • Wellness programs such as Headspace and Airvet
  • Charitable matching program
Full Job Description
WHAT YOU'LL DO

The Senior Director, Business Development leads expansion efforts for the MedHub portfolio within Allied Health. This leader is responsible for identifying, developing, and executing partnerships and growth strategies that accelerate revenue, deepen market penetration, and strengthen Ascend Learning's leadership position across allied health education and training.

WHERE YOU'LL WORK

This position offers the flexibility of remote work in the United States.

HOW YOU'LL SPEND YOUR TIME

  • Develop and execute a comprehensive business development strategy for the Allied Health (MedHub) portfolio aligned to company growth goals.
  • Lead, mentor, and scale a high-performing sales team by setting clear goals, fostering a culture of accountability and collaboration, and developing talent to support sustained growth across the Allied Health portfolio.
  • Identify and prioritize new market opportunities, including healthcare systems, educational institutions, certification organizations, and workforce development partners.
  • Analyze industry trends, customer needs, and competitive landscape to inform strategic initiatives.
  • Establish and grow strategic partnerships with health systems, academic institutions, associations, and technology providers.
  • Structure and negotiate complex agreements that drive mutual value and long-term growth.
  • Cultivate executive-level relationships with key stakeholders and decision-makers.
  • Build and manage a robust business development pipeline, from early-stage opportunities to closed deals.
  • Own revenue targets associated with new partnerships and expansion opportunities.
  • Partner with sales leadership to transition qualified opportunities and ensure successful execution.
  • Collaborate closely with product, marketing, and operations teams to align offerings with market demand.
  • Influence product roadmap by bringing forward market insights and customer needs.
  • Support go-to-market strategies, including positioning, pricing, and packaging.
  • Represent Ascend Learning at industry conferences, events, and client engagements.
  • Act as a subject matter expert on trends in allied health education, workforce training, and digital learning platforms.


WHAT YOU'LL NEED

  • Bachelor's degree required; MBA or advanced degree in business, healthcare, or related field preferred
  • 10+ years of experience in business development, partnerships, or strategic growth roles, preferably within healthcare, education, or SaaS
  • 7+ years of progressive leadership experience; proven success in building, leading, and developing high-performing business development or commercial teams within healthcare, education, or SaaS environments strongly preferred
  • Demonstrated success in closing complex, high-value deals and building long-term partnerships
  • Strong understanding of allied health education, clinical training ecosystems, or healthcare workforce development
  • Proven ability to operate at both strategic and tactical levels
  • Exceptional executive presence, negotiation, and communication skills
  • Experience working in matrixed, cross-functional environments
  • Strategic thinker with a strong commercial mindset
  • Highly collaborative and influential across teams
  • Data-driven decision maker with strong analytical skills
  • Entrepreneurial, proactive, and results-oriented
  • Comfortable navigating ambiguity and rapid growth environments
  • Ability to travel up to 10%


HIRING RANGE

The current full-time annualized hiring range for this role is $154,100.00-$220,330.00 and does not include discretionary bonus or sales incentives, if applicable. In accordance with applicable state laws, we are providing the expected salary range for this position. Individual compensation will be determined by various factors, including relevant experience, qualifications, current business needs and local market factors. Most regular, full-time employees are eligible to participate in an Ascend incentive bonus or sales plan.

BENEFITS

  • Health, dental, and vision insurance
  • Company paid Life Insurance
  • 401(k) with company match
  • Paid time off and parental leave
  • Employee assistance program
  • Other employee wellness programs such as Headspace and Airvet
  • Charitable matching program


Fostering A Sense of Belonging

Our values-driven culture unifies our teams and inspires a mindset of action, innovation, and collaboration, with a relentless focus on customers. We seek out and celebrate all people and perspectives and cultivate an inclusive culture where everyone can thrive, feel valued, and be authentic. Our culture is firmly rooted in the belief that by embracing our differences and drawing on diverse perspectives, we are a stronger, more innovative, and more successful organization where employees experience a sense of belonging.

About Ascend Learning

Ascend Learning is a leading provider of educational content, software and analytics solutions for healthcare and other vocational industries. The company's products and services are designed to help students and professionals improve their knowledge and skills, and to help employers improve their workforce performance. Ascend Learning's portfolio includes more than 1,000 digital and print-based products, including textbooks, online courses, simulation tools, and certification and licensure exam preparation materials. The company serves a wide range of customers, including colleges and universities, healthcare organizations, and government agencies. Ascend Learning was founded in 2010 and is headquartered in Woburn, Massachusetts.
Learn more about Ascend Learning
Size
1,500 employees
Industry
Founded
2010

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