Higher Education Executive Sales Specialist (Bay Area)

Pearson•San Francisco, CA

18h•Hybrid

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

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
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
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