Business Development Manager - Education
About The Position
Innovative Office Solutions is seeking a high-energy, self-driven Business Development Manager to grow its presence in the K–12 education market throughout the Twin Cities. The role focuses on developing new business with public and private schools, school districts, charter schools, and other education organizations by building relationships with decision-makers and connecting customers with products and services that support educators and students. The position develops and executes strategic sales plans, identifies and pursues new opportunities, manages a sales pipeline, and cultivates long-term customer relationships. It also grows existing accounts, coordinates with internal teams to deliver solutions and resolve service issues, tracks sales performance and customer activity, and stays informed about education market trends and purchasing practices. The role collaborates with the Sales Director and internal sales, category, and operational teams to achieve sales and account-growth goals.
Requirements
- Proven track record of prospecting, developing, and closing new business, preferably in B2B sales, education sales, or a related industry.
- Ability to build relationships with decision-makers and influence purchasing decisions across multiple organizational levels.
- Strong consultative selling skills, including asking thoughtful questions, identifying customer needs, and presenting tailored solutions.
- Understanding of school and district purchasing processes, budget cycles, procurement practices, and education sales dynamics, or ability to learn quickly.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, including confidence engaging school leaders, administrators, and purchasing teams.
- Strong organizational and time-management skills, including the ability to manage a sales pipeline, multiple accounts, and longer sales cycles.
- Proficiency in CRM platforms, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook, or initiative to learn new tools quickly.
- Data-driven, results-oriented approach and ability to track performance, forecast opportunities, and work toward sales goals.
- Competitive spirit, resilience, and self-motivation to pursue opportunities and overcome obstacles.
- Collaborative approach and commitment to exceptional customer service and lasting partnerships.
- Interest in professional growth, financial success, and making a meaningful impact through customer relationships.
Nice To Haves
- Experience selling to K–12 schools, public or private school districts, or other education organizations is strongly preferred.
- Experience in B2B sales, education sales, or a related industry.
Responsibilities
- Develop and execute a strategic sales plan to grow revenue and market share in the K–12 education market.
- Identify, prospect, and develop new business with public and private schools, school districts, charter schools, and other education organizations.
- Build and manage a sales pipeline through outreach, networking, referrals, industry events, and targeted prospecting.
- Establish relationships with education decision-makers, including superintendents, administrators, business managers, principals, curriculum leaders, purchasing departments, and operations teams.
- Understand school and district priorities, purchasing processes, budget cycles, and procurement requirements to navigate the education sales cycle.
- Lead sales conversations, presentations, and product demonstrations; identify customer needs and position the company as a trusted partner.
- Develop tailored proposals and recommendations that align with customer goals, challenges, and budgets.
- Promote the company’s products and services and identify opportunities to expand customer relationships and solution adoption.
- Monitor competitive activity, market trends, district initiatives, and funding opportunities to identify growth opportunities.
- Build long-term relationships with school and district stakeholders to support customer satisfaction, retention, and revenue growth.
- Serve as a resource to education customers and connect them with appropriate internal teams and category experts.
- Develop account strategies for existing education customers and identify opportunities to expand partnerships.
- Conduct customer check-ins, business reviews, and follow-up activities.
- Coordinate with internal teams to streamline ordering, address service issues, and support a positive customer experience.
- Resolve customer concerns promptly and professionally, taking ownership of follow-through.
- Participate in education conferences, networking opportunities, and community initiatives.
- Collaborate with the Sales Director on annual and quarterly sales plans, revenue targets, and strategic priorities.
- Meet or exceed new-business, sales-activity, revenue, and account-growth goals.
- Maintain accurate prospect, pipeline, opportunity, and account information in CRM tools.
- Complete required dashboard activities, including customer development, engagement, tours, business reviews, and opportunity tracking, as applicable.
- Track and analyze sales performance, customer activity, and pipeline progress to identify areas for improvement.
- Use sales reports, financial insights, and market intelligence to prioritize accounts and improve sales strategies.
- Partner with internal sales teams, category experts, and operational departments to deliver coordinated solutions.
- Build knowledge of education-market trends, school purchasing practices, and company products and services.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
