Region Director, Government Sales

Avantor•Bethesda, OH

About The Position

Avantor is seeking a strategic and high‑energy Region Director to lead and advance our Government Sales efforts across a multi‑state territory. This is a full‑time, field-based leadership role supporting state, local, and federal government accounts, as well as Inside Education customers. You will have the opportunity to lead a team of sales professionals while driving growth through Avantor’s extensive portfolio of products and services. If you are passionate about leadership, strategy, and supporting mission‑driven government customers — let’s talk! The Region Director is accountable for leading a team of 8–12 Sales Representatives and aligning regional execution with Avantor’s commercial strategy. You will support the development of your team while driving revenue, profitability, and market expansion across government and education accounts.

Requirements

College degree or equivalent/applicable experience required
5-8 years of success in complex sales environments, ideally involving long sales cycles and multiple decision-makers.
Solid background in B2B sales, with the ability to build and maintain strong client relationships
Proven ability to translate commercial strategy into actionable regional plans
Proficiency with CRM systems, using data to manage pipelines and optimize performance
Proven success driving growth in complex sales environments
Experience developing value‑based sales strategies
Strong analytical skills to assess opportunities and prioritize targets
A valid driver’s license is required, as travel may be necessary to fulfill key responsibilities of the role
Microsoft Suite and CRM platforms

Nice To Haves

2-5 years of sales leadership experience
5–10 years of successful sales experience within government and/or higher education markets
Demonstrated experience leading field sales teams, ideally across multiple territories
Experience managing or influencing P&L, pricing strategies, and contract execution
Background in distribution or a scientific/laboratory environment
Experience in organizational development and/or change management
Strong coaching, talent development, and performance management skills
Strong communication and influencing skills across multiple stakeholders
Ability to independently manage a large, dynamic portfolio of opportunities
Strong industry knowledge and negotiation skills
Excellent communication and leadership capabilities
Ability to prioritize and manage multiple initiatives
A customer-focused approach with strong interpersonal and organizational skills
Effective problem-solving and coaching abilities

Responsibilities

Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing regional sales team
Set expectations, assess performance, and ensure consistent execution of sales processes
Provide ongoing training and support to strengthen team capabilities
Translate commercial strategy into clear regional plans and drive measurable outcomes
Develop programs that motivate the team and stimulate revenue growth
Build strong customer and supplier relationships across government and education segments
Serve as the primary liaison with Commercial Operations and Legal on government matters
Lead key account contract negotiations
Prepare sales and margin forecasts; analyze trends to adjust strategy
Oversee key product performance and align efforts across territories
Collaborate with internal partners, including NCO, Furniture, VWR Specialists, and Business Process Consultants
Address complex sales and operational challenges to optimize team performance
Develop strategies to expand market penetration in government accounts
Perform other duties as assigned