Strategic Partner Advisor

Position Summary:

Are you ready to make a real difference in the world of education? At CareerStep, a part of Penn Foster Group, we're on a mission to revolutionize online learning and empower learners with the skills they need to succeed in today's rapidly evolving workforce. As a key member of our dynamic Academic Partner Team, you'll have the incredible opportunity to forge powerful partnerships with academic institutions nationwide, extending our reach and amplifying our impact like never before.

We're not just looking for another sales professional – we're seeking a passionate, driven individual with a proven track record of success in the higher education sector. Your deep understanding of the unique needs and challenges faced by colleges and universities will be invaluable as you connect with decision-makers and showcase how our cutting-edge online training solutions can transform their continuing education programs.

If you're ready to join a vibrant, energetic team that's at the forefront of driving change in the higher education industry, then this is your chance to make your mark. Get ready to inspire, innovate, and shape the future of learning with CareerStep!

Essential Job Functions:

• Develop and Execute Strategic Sales Plan: Create and implement a comprehensive sales strategy targeting higher education institutions, identifying key decision-makers, and tailoring messaging to address their specific needs and pain points.
• Build and Manage Pipeline: Continuously identify, qualify, and prioritize sales opportunities within the higher education sector, ensuring a robust pipeline of potential clients at various stages of the sales process.
• Conduct Effective Discovery and Needs Analysis: Engage in meaningful conversations with higher education prospects to uncover their unique challenges, goals, and requirements, enabling you to position CareerStep's solutions as the ideal fit.
• Deliver Compelling Presentations and Demos: Create and deliver persuasive presentations and product demonstrations that highlight the value and impact of CareerStep's offerings on higher education institutions and their learners.
• Negotiate and Close Deals: Skillfully navigate the complexities of the higher education sales cycle, addressing objections, negotiating terms, and securing contracts that drive revenue growth and foster long-term partnerships.
• Collaborate with Internal Teams: Work closely with marketing, product development, customer success, and other internal teams to ensure seamless execution of sales strategies and deliver an exceptional client experience.
• Provide Market Insights and Feedback: Regularly share insights gleaned from interactions with higher education clients and prospects, contributing to the continuous improvement of CareerStep's products, services, and overall market positioning.
• Utilize CRM and Sales Tools: Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all sales activities, pipelines, and forecasts using the company's CRM system and other relevant sales tools.
• Continuously Enhance Skills and Knowledge: Stay abreast of industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies in higher education and online learning through ongoing professional development and training.
• Reporting and Forecasting: Maintain accurate records of sales activities, including sales calls, meetings, and deals closed, and provide regular reports and forecasts to management.
• Continuous Learning and Development: Stay updated on industry best practices, sales techniques, and product knowledge through ongoing training and professional development initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Higher Education Sales Experience: Minimum of 3-5 years of successful sales experience – with strong preference on exposure to the higher education sector.  Can demonstrate deep understanding of the unique challenges, decision-making processes, and buying cycles of colleges and universities.
• Consultative Sales Approach: Demonstrated ability to employ a consultative sales methodology, focusing on understanding client needs, building trust, and positioning solutions that drive meaningful outcomes for higher education institutions and their learners.
• Exceptional Communication and Presentation Skills: Highly effective communicator with the ability to articulate complex ideas, tailor messaging to diverse audiences, and deliver compelling presentations and product demonstrations that resonate with higher education decision-makers.
• Strong Relationship-Building Skills: Adept at building and nurturing long-term relationships with clients, prospects, and internal stakeholders, fostering trust, collaboration, and loyalty.
• Strategic Thinking and Problem-Solving: Ability to think strategically, anticipate challenges, and develop creative solutions that address the unique needs and constraints of higher education institutions.
• Proficiency in Sales Technologies: Skilled in utilizing CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce), sales enablement tools, and other relevant technologies to manage pipelines, track performance, and optimize sales processes.
• Strong Knowledge of Online Learning and Workforce Development: Solid understanding of the online learning landscape, workforce development trends, and the role of continuing education in driving career outcomes for learners.
• Collaborative Mindset: Strong team player with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams, including marketing, product development, and customer success, to achieve shared goals and deliver an exceptional client experience.
• Adaptability and Resilience: Comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, adapting to change, and persevering through challenges and setbacks.

About Us: At Penn Foster Group, we are transforming online learning to help learners by bringing together Penn Foster, CareerStep, Ashworth College, James Madison High School, the New York Institute of Photography, the New York Institute of Art and Design, and other education platforms. Together, we create an accelerated path to greater economic mobility through real-world skills and knowledge that enable learners to achieve long-term success in the workplaces of the future.  Our history dates back to 1890 when our founder, Thomas Foster, pioneered distance education by offering training by mail for coal miners to get the necessary skills for safer jobs. Today, with the partners who use our education and training programs, we continue that mission of providing accessible training and education for in-demand skills and are building a workforce that’s prepared for the future job market.

Equal Employment Opportunity: We strive toward Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Penn Foster Group by intentionally building teams that are diverse – in identities, lived experiences, and ideas to create a culture where people feel connected to each other and have a sense of belonging. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion because it is the foundation that enables us to achieve what we set out to do as an organization – from maximizing the number of learners who can reach their goals while giving them the kinds of experiences we want them to have, to becoming the type of company we want to work in.  

What We Offer: We offer a robust benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, flexible spending, generous paid time off, sponsored volunteer opportunities, a 401K with a company match, plus free access to all of our online programs.