Higher Education Executive Sales Specialist (Carolinas territory)

Job Description

This role partners with colleges and universities to identify customer needs, drive courseware and program adoption decisions, and deliver innovative learning solutions that improve learner outcomes and support institutional success.

The ideal candidate brings a strong track record of sales success, strategic selling capability, and the ability to build trusted relationships with educators and institutional stakeholders. This role requires a highly motivated, customer-focused individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment, embraces data-driven selling, and is passionate about the evolving role of digital learning solutions in higher education.

This is a hybrid sales role combining virtual engagement and field-based selling. The role includes both in-house sales activity and customer-facing fieldwork, with respective travel required.

What You'll Do

Drive Strategic Sales Growth

• Meet or exceed weekly, monthly, and seasonal sales targets through the successful adoption of course-based and digital learning solutions
• Build, manage, and advance a strong pipeline of competitive opportunities using market intelligence, customer insights, and data-driven prioritization
• Identify, develop, and close new business opportunities through a blend of in-person customer engagement and virtual selling strategies
• Execute disciplined sales strategies and account plans designed to drive market share growth and long-term customer value

Build Strong Customer Partnerships

• Develop trusted relationships with instructors, department leaders, and institutional decision-makers by understanding their goals, challenges, and evolving instructional needs
• Deliver compelling presentations, consultative recommendations, and tailored solutions aligned to customer and learner needs
• Utilize effective selling techniques including pre-call planning, strategic questioning, and opportunity management to successfully advance deals through the pipeline
• Maintain strong knowledge of Pearson products, platforms, technologies, and learning solutions to effectively position customer value

Collaborate and Execute with Excellence

• Partner closely with local teams and cross-functional stakeholders to strengthen pipeline development, customer engagement, and sales execution
• Maintain disciplined pipeline management and accurate CRM reporting to support forecasting and business planning
• Leverage sales tools, analytics platforms, and customer insights to improve efficiency, prioritization, and sales effectiveness
• Contribute to an inclusive, collaborative team environment through knowledge sharing, partnership, and best practice exchange

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role will be measured by:

• Achievement or exceedance of sales and market share goals
• Development and conversion of a strong pipeline of qualified opportunities
• Effective customer engagement and relationship development
• Strong sales execution and pipeline discipline
• Collaborative partnership across internal and external stakeholders

What You Bring

• 3+ years of successful sales experience with demonstrated ability to build, manage, and close a pipeline of opportunities, ideally focused on competitive share gain
• Proven track record of achieving results in a fast-paced, goal-oriented sales environment
• Strong consultative selling, relationship-building, and customer engagement skills
• Demonstrated ability to identify customer needs and align solutions that create value for customers and the business
• Strong business, technology, and data analytics proficiency, including experience with CRM systems, virtual presentation platforms, Salesforce, Tableau, and related business tools
• High level of initiative, accountability, and self-motivation with the ability to work independently and strategically
• Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation communication skills

Preferred Attributes

• Strategic and customer-focused mindset with strong business acumen
• Passion for digital learning solutions and the evolving education technology landscape
• Adaptable and resilient with the ability to navigate change and ambiguity effectively
• Strong organizational, territory management, and prioritization skills
• Collaborative team player who thrives in cross-functional environments

Compensation

The anticipated base salary range for this role is $85,000- 110,000. This position is also eligible to participate in a Sales Incentive program. Actual compensation will vary based on experience, skills, and geographic location.