Partner Development Executive (Higher Education Research Sales)

EAB hires a Partner Development Executive to generate leads and manage the sales process for its higher education research and advisory services. The role builds relationships with education-institution decision makers, converts new partners, expands existing accounts, and contributes to revenue growth.

Responsibilities:

• Prospect and build new business within an assigned territory of education institutions; acquire new partners successfully and negotiate to expand services for existing partners
• Build relationships by meeting with senior executives at prospect organizations to discuss their strategic challenges and opportunities, present best practice solutions and effectively sell the vision of EAB’s capabilities
• Conduct live presentations, including diagnostic evaluations, to understand prospective partner needs and educate key stakeholders on the value of EAB products and services
• Meet annual revenue goals through management of a sales pipeline with pursuits in various stages of the evaluation process
• Work with other sales, marketing and delivery team members to drive increased Research revenue within an assigned portfolio of higher education institutions
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of competitors
• Provide insights from partner development visits to inform future initiatives and new product development inquiries
• Indirectly manage Sales Associate to goals, providing formal feedback and guidance on professional development

Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college/university
• Proven track record of success exceeding personal revenue targets in business development roles
• Experience representing complex products or services to external partners in a trusted, consultative capacity
• Ability to negotiate and excellent persuasion skills
• 6-8+ years of professional experience in at least three of the following:
• Higher education sector
• Delivering client presentations and facilitating discussions
• Sales or Account Management
• Teaching and/or breaking down complex or abstract ideas into simpler concepts
• Partner management
• 8-10+ years of relevant full-time professional experience
• Experience selling consultative, information-based, or technology-driven services, preferably in the education sector
• Experience working within a higher education setting, or deep understanding of the processes, difficulties, and opportunities within higher education
• Desire to achieve success in a sales environment and sell prospects on the current and future value proposition of a product or service
• Engaging and memorable presentation style; demonstrated ability to build rapport and credibility quickly with an executive-level audience
• Demonstrated ability to listen and diagnose a problem and map a solution in the moment
• Demonstrated creativity and initiative when it comes to problem solving and/or project ownership
• Resilience and comfort with ambiguity ability to be flexible and adaptable in a changing environment
• Ability to indirectly manage a Sales Associate to goal, coach and provide constructive formal and informal feedback
• Receptive to feedback, coaching and constructive criticism; ability to learn from mistakes
• Proven experience managing multiple priorities, strong prioritization and organizational skills
• Excellent writing, critical thinking and negotiation skills, and familiarity with formal and informal RFP procedures