Account Specialist

WHO ARE YOU?  You are a sales professional with a consultative selling approach and customer-centric mindset. You enjoy building long-term relationships with key decision makers and identifying product solutions that directly address the challenges they face.

WHO ARE WE? We are passionate, innovative, lifelong learners, and creative thinkers working to develop culturally authentic language learning products for K-12 schools and universities.

WHAT IS THE ROLE ABOUT? As one of our new Private School Account Specialists, you will be focused on expanding our customer base within assigned K-12 private school accounts. You will drive account growth by managing all related sales activities and providing comprehensive pre- and post-sales support to ensure customer satisfaction and retention by collaborating with other sales and marketing team members.

WHY IS THIS EXCITING? We are a growth-minded organization. These roles are part of our on-going effort to continue having a positive impact on students, educators and administrators by providing the support they need.

IN THIS ROLE YOU WILL:       

• Consistently achieve sales goals by winning new business/adoptions and increasing sales within existing accounts.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive and accurate understanding of the VHL digital and print product suite, assigned territory, market and the specific needs of customers.
• Successfully use consultative selling and active listening skills to understand customer needs and align product offerings support desired outcomes of the customer to win business.
• Bridge communication gaps and create compelling value-added propositions to engage customers and help secure business. 
• Leverage comprehensive account and product knowledge to develop and present compelling presentations for diverse customer audiences.
• Establish and maintain long-term and impactful relationships with educators, current and potential customers.
• Effectively and strategically manage and map the assigned territory, develop successful account penetration strategies and employ “smart selling” techniques.
• Prepare and present persuasive and targeted sales and training presentations for both print and digital programs to customers. 
• Proactively identify, follow up on new business opportunities and routinely engage with customers to ensure that issues are satisfactorily resolved.
• Proactively and effectively update CRM to understand account activity.
• Collaborate with internal sales team members and Marketing, Tech Support, Editorial, Contracts & Proposals teams to recommend and maintain product list for submission.
• Build and maintain custom bookstore sites for customers in coordination with the sales team.
• Assist in coordinating training, professional development, and sales presentations for private school clients.

YOU MUST HAVE (MINIMUM REQUIRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE)        

• Bachelor’s degree minimum.
• 3+ years of experience in a revenue generating sales role within K12 publishing, ed-tech or related field
• Demonstrated track record of consistently achieving and or exceeding sales goals
• Strong product and market knowledge to identify opportunities and effectively align solutions to customer needs
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills
• Experience conducting sales demos/presentations or trainings virtually using video/webinar technologies
• Strong prospecting, consultative-selling, negotiation and territory management skills
• Strong account management and strategic relationship building skills
• Strong project management and follow-through skills
• Experience leveraging sales tools and technologies to conduct and manage business including CRM and presentation tools
• Experience staying motivated under pressure and resilience regardless of minor setbacks
• A willingness to travel up to 10% as required for annual key events

IDEAL IF YOU HAVE (PREFERRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE)        

• Experience using Salesforce.com
• Prior experience working with K12 private schools is a strong plus
• Demonstrated proficiency in one or more world languages, preferably Spanish or French, a strong plus
• Advanced degree
• Familiarity with VHL products

LOCATION: Boston, MA in-office, remote or Hybrid-Boston

Relocation is not available for this position. Candidates must reside within the United States. Ideal candidates will reside in Boston, MA area, central or eastern United States and those time zones. 

SALARY RANGE: $60,000.00 - $70,000.00 annual salary

This position is salaried, and it is eligible for sales incentives based on employee and organizational performance.