Account Executive (Midwest)

With nearly 20,000 organizational customers and millions of student users, Blackboard is the world's leading education technology company. Blackboard is shaping the future of education with big ideas that challenge conventional thinking and advance new models of learning. Every day we’re inspiring people to find new ways to learn, connect and drive change in the way education is delivered and experienced.

Minnesota, USA

Blackboard

We are education&rsquo;s partner in change, helping learners, educators, institutions, and companies thrive in a complex and changing environment. Our sights are set on the future. <br /><br /> By innovating together, we help our clients see the possibilities to come. http://www.blackboard.com/

keywords: education,success,sales,location,sales,relationships,solutions,management,maintain,experience,relationships,degree,language,communication,travel,knowledge

Executive

Overview: The Blackboard North America Higher Education Sales Team is experiencing exciting changes! The Account Executive (AE) will play an integral role in the success of the group. The AE is responsible for exceeding software and services sales targets to higher education clients while building long-term customer relationships.&nbsp;<br /><br /><strong>Candidate must reside within the territory</strong>&nbsp;This position is also open to candidates located in Lansing, Michigan and Chicago, Illinois.&nbsp;
Responsibilities: <ul> <li>Acting on behalf of Blackboard as the primary sales interface.</li> <li>Expanding the portfolio of Blackboard solutions and services within assigned clients by identifying, qualifying and closing new sales opportunities.</li> <li>Developing and managing executive-level relationships with the client.</li> <li>Conducting quarterly onsite client business reviews (including preparation and follow-up).</li> <li>Operationalizing annual plans with the assistance of solutions engineers, product specialists, sales management and other functional leads as appropriate.</li> <li>Working in concert with Product Sales organization to align specific solutions to client needs while carrying an overlay quota.</li> <li>Meeting and exceeding set sales quotas while adhering to Blackboard's sales rules of engagement.</li> <li>Leveraging Salesforce.com to maintain a growing pipeline while adhering to Blackboard&rsquo;s forecasting methodology.</li> <li>This position is best suited for someone who enjoys developing deep relationships but working on positioning new products and services to existing clients as a higher percentage of their day-to-day time</li> </ul>
Requirements: <ul> <li>Bachelor&rsquo;s degree required</li> <li>Minimum 8 years of experience in consultative selling &amp; relationship management in an enterprise/solution and/or technical sales environment required</li> <li>Strong knowledge of the higher education sector and eLearning sector strongly preferred</li> <li>Fluency in building a pipeline, moving opportunities through the sales cycle; proposing, presenting and discussing solutions with C-level and other executive decision-makers</li> <li>Highly developed client service and client satisfaction focus required</li> <li>Experience and ability in operating within a fast-paced, multi-disciplined virtual team</li> <li>Excellent oral, written, and presentation skills required</li> <li>40-50% travel required</li> </ul>