Education Market Leader

Standard Textile•Cincinnati, OH

About The Position

The Education Market Leader is responsible for developing and growing Standard Textile’s Interiors Group Education market across K-12 and higher education. The role develops market strategy, drives conversion of product specifications into awarded projects and purchase orders, builds relationships with education stakeholders, and partners with Account Executives and Business Units to develop and close opportunities. The position also leads assigned team members and provides market insight to inform product development, innovation, and future product launches. The role works with internal teams—including Marketing, Product Line Strategy, Estimating, Supply Chain, and Project Delivery—to support successful project execution. It also identifies education-market trends, funding opportunities, capital improvement programs, and procurement initiatives, and supports internal teams with customer insight, market knowledge, and opportunity management. Travel to school districts, design firms, and education events is required 30–40% of the time.

Requirements

At least 8 years of experience in education, interiors, architectural and design, specification sales, building products, or related markets.
Strong understanding of K-12 and higher education procurement practices, public bidding requirements, and project funding processes.
Demonstrated success developing strategic customer relationships and growing market share.
Ability to influence and collaborate effectively across multiple business units and sales organizations.
Ability to travel 30–40% to school districts, design firms, and education events.

Nice To Haves

Strong understanding of interior products, window treatments, solar shading, daylighting solutions, or related product categories.

Responsibilities

Own the success and growth of the Education market segment, including K-12 and higher education opportunities.
Develop and execute market strategies to drive revenue growth, market penetration, and long-term business development in the education sector.
Build and maintain relationships with school districts, higher education institutions, architects, designers, contractors, distributors, and procurement leaders.
Convert product specifications into awarded projects and purchase orders, and support bid and commercial strategies.
Partner with Account Executives and other Business Units to identify, develop, and close education-market opportunities.
Lead and develop assigned team members, including the A&D Specification Manager and Business Development Associate.
Gather education-market insight to support product development, innovation, and future product launches.
Identify emerging trends, funding opportunities, capital improvement programs, and procurement initiatives in the education market.
Manage, grow, and develop strategic education accounts and market relationships.
Coordinate with Marketing, Product Line Strategy, Estimating, Supply Chain, and Project Delivery to support successful project execution.
Provide internal teams with customer insight, market knowledge, and overall opportunity management.