K12 Language and Literacy Sales Specialist - Pacific Northwest

WHO ARE YOU?  A sales professional who shares our passion and has a consultative mindset. A relationship builder who enjoys finding solutions for challenges and who understands the unique needs of K-12 students and schools.

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 a Language & Literacy Sales Specialist for our K12 team, you will play a key role in expanding our customer base within an assigned Pacific Northwest multi-state territory. You will call upon your industry knowledge, product acumen, sales and presentation skills to serve as an ambassador of VHL and drive the overall success of the organization and our customers. 

WHY IS THIS EXCITING? We are a growth-minded organization, and this role is on the front lines learning about and partnering with our education customers in order to have a positive impact on their students and administrators.

IN THIS ROLE YOU WILL:        

• Consistently achieve sales goals by winning new business/ adoptions and increasing sales within existing accounts (upselling and cross selling) within assigned territory
• Develop and maintain strong understanding of VHL products, territory, market and the specific needs of customers 
• Successfully use consultative selling and active listening skills to win business opportunities and align product offerings with customer needs 
• Effectively and strategically manage and map 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 
• Strategically establish and maintain strong relationships with educators, administrators, current and potential customers 
• Participate in national sales meetings, networking events, conferences and on-site team meetings 
• Proactively identifies and follows up on new business opportunities as well as routinely follows up with customers to ensure that issues are satisfactorily resolved 
• Effectively collaborates with internal team members and stakeholders including Sales, Development and Marketing 
• Uncovers and attends networking and sponsorship events to increase contacts and build brand awareness. 
• Collaborate with Contracts and Proposals team 

YOU MUST HAVE (MINIMUM REQUIRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE)        

• Bachelor’s degree minimum
• 1+ years of experience in a consultative sales, account management, or business development role with a successful track record
• Strong technology orientation and experience presenting and/or conducting demonstrations for a variety of audiences in-person and virtually
• Exceptional communication (written and verbal), interpersonal and relationship building skills with an ability to adapt the approach based on the scenario and audience
• Experience using a CRM to manage sales activities and accounts 
• Excellent prospecting, consultative-selling, negotiation, territory management and active listening skills
• Excellent attention to detail, organization, time management and follow through skills
• Strong drive, entrepreneurial spirit, flexibility and team orientation
• Experience strategically executing effective business travel including setting appointments
• Strong customer service orientation and business acumen
• Willingness to travel up to 60% within the territory area, and on occasion to networking/industry events, etc. without restriction  

IDEAL IF YOU HAVE (PREFERRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE)        

• Experience using Salesforce.com
• Experience working with or within the publishing, ed-tech, language learning or similar part of the industry highly preferred
• Familiarity with VHL products and our supersite  
• Working knowledge of the Spanish language
• Advanced degree

LOCATION: Candidates must reside within either the states of Washington or Oregon. Ideal candidate will reside in southern WA or northern OR and near a major airport. Territory currently includes WA/OR/AK/HI. Candidates must be willing to travel throughout the territory without restriction. Relocation is not available for this position.      

SALARY: $75k-$85k annual base salary range

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