Sr. Account Executive – Campus Partnerships

Navient

About The Position

The Senior Account Executive is responsible for selling education loan products and services to colleges and universities on behalf of Navient and Earnest. This role requires strong expertise in building and maintaining relationships with financial aid and business office professionals, delivering effective oral, written, and web‑based presentations, and identifying and managing a broad portfolio of opportunities. A deep understanding of the products offered — and how to position and integrate them into a school’s processes — is essential. In this role, the Senior Account Executive will develop and manage volume opportunities while collaborating closely with internal partners across the organization to ensure successful execution. The position supports the Senior Director of Campus Partnerships in identifying, prioritizing, and executing a pipeline of new partnership opportunities designed to drive revenue, acquire new customers, and extend the brand. Success in this role requires a strong understanding of the competitive landscape and the ability to identify and pursue strategic opportunities. Additionally, the Senior Account Executive plays a key role in building and sustaining active, long‑term relationships with campus partners to proactively address business objectives, maximize value for both parties, and create additional value for customers. This role will also represent the organization at industry conferences and events, serving as a visible ambassador within the higher education community.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree- Business/ Finance/ Marketing/ Operational. Additional equivalent experience above the required minimum may substitute.
5+ years of experience in Business Development or Strategic Partnerships at a fast-growing, high-paced company.
Willingness and ability to travel extensively as required (50%)
Have a deep database of relationships within the established financial services landscape and the emerging financial technology array of companies.
Demonstrated success leading business development efforts to build a high-growth consumer brand.
Exceptional verbal, written, and presentation communication skills; able to engage effectively at all organizational levels
Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills; establishes trust and credibility with clients and internal stakeholders
Advanced organization, prioritization, and time management skills; able to manage high-volume pipelines and meet tight deadlines
Strong analytical thinking and problem-resolution skills; gathers and evaluates information to drive sound decisions
Skilled negotiator with ability to influence outcomes
Adaptable and able to navigate changing environments, project scopes, and stakeholder needs
Demonstrated leadership and mentoring capability; serves as a role model and develops team members
High attention to detail with strong follow-through and accountability
Ability to maintain strict confidentiality
Additional equivalent education above the required minimum may substitute for level of experience listed above.

Nice To Haves

Business administration experience including responsibility for marketing, sales, finance, business development
Government or service center operations experience.

Responsibilities

Serve as Sales and Business Development Expert
Develop and execute on territory and strategic business plans.
Establish and expand relationships within colleges and universities.
Effectively manage all aspects of the sales process, from pre-meeting planning through implementation and on-boarding of new clients.
Work across the organization to orchestrate the right solution for each client or prospect.
Effectively explain and demonstrate the Education Loan suite of products, processes and services.
Become a trusted advisor to universities within targeted markets.
Collaborate with t colleagues in developing and building client relationships on campus.
Stay current with higher education trends.
Leverage market/business knowledge to identify opportunities for growth and provide appropriate solutions and services.
Capitalize on market intelligence and use consultative selling methodologies to shape and influence the client’s decision making.
Strengthen the organizations positioning in the marketplace by garnering a better understanding of our competitor’s strengths and/or weaknesses.
Support Senior Director of Campus Partnerships in designing and implementing a strategic sales plan that expands and diversifies company’s partnership mix, and, by extension, the company’s customer base.
Achieve customer acquisition goals and revenue growth targets.
Build and promote strong, long-lasting customer and partner relationships by nurturing and understanding their needs.
Identify emerging opportunities and market shifts while being fully aware of new products and competition status.
Collaborate with team members to develop and refine competitive positioning and product differentiation messaging.
Partner with the internal operations team to onboard new partners.
Be an essential representative and voice of the organization at regional and national industry conferences and events.
Manage the entire sales process, from pre-meeting planning through sales close and account maintenance.
Client Management
Ensure coordination and completion of all client requirements as it relates to operations.
Build and maintain solid business relationships with key partners and affiliates.
Participate in client performance management processes where appropriate/requested.
Assist clients to achieve long-term operating excellence.
Work closely with sales teams and management groups to ensure progress on work goals.
Contractual Compliance
Communicate with all internal and external customers to limit compliance related issues.
Review and complete all specific RFPs.
Project leadership and management
Constructively challenges current practices, identifies trends affecting the business and articulates implications to Senior Director.
Actively participates in discussions to resolve issues and/or implement new processes.
Handle multiple priorities while producing high quality results.
Performs other duties as required.