Pearson
Higher Education Executive Sales Specialist (Bay Area)
CRM
Salesforce
Tableau
Edtech.com's Summary
Pearson is hiring a Higher Education Executive Sales Specialist. This role focuses on partnering with colleges and universities to identify customer needs, drive adoption of courseware and digital learning solutions, and achieve sales targets. The specialist builds strong customer partnerships, executes strategic sales plans, and collaborates with internal teams to drive market share growth and improve learner outcomes.
Highlights
- Drive strategic sales growth by meeting and exceeding sales targets and managing a robust pipeline using market intelligence and data-driven prioritization.
- Build trusted relationships with educators and institutional decision-makers to understand their needs and deliver tailored learning solutions.
- Utilize consultative selling techniques such as pre-call planning and strategic questioning to advance sales opportunities.
- Maintain comprehensive knowledge of Pearson’s products and technologies to position customer value effectively.
- Collaborate closely with local teams and cross-functional stakeholders for pipeline development and sales execution.
- Manage pipelines meticulously and ensure accurate CRM reporting to support forecasting and business planning.
- Leverage sales and analytics tools including Salesforce, Tableau, and virtual presentation platforms to enhance sales effectiveness.
- Require at least 3 years of successful sales experience, strong consultative selling skills, and proficiency in CRM and sales analytics tools.
- Base salary range of $85,000 to $115,000, with eligibility for a sales incentive program.
- Focuses on higher education institutions as customers to support institutional success and learner outcomes.
Higher Education Executive Sales Specialist (Bay Area) Full 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- 115,000. This position is also eligible to participate in a Sales Incentive program. Actual compensation will vary based on experience, skills, and geographic location.
Pearson is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a member of E-Verify. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit and business need. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status or any other group protected by law. We actively seek qualified candidates who are protected veterans and individuals with disabilities as defined under VEVRAA and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act.
If you are an individual with a disability and are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our career site as a result of your disability, you may request reasonable accommodations by emailing TalentExperienceGlobalTeam@grp.pearson.com.
Job: Sales
Job Family: GO_TO_MARKET
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