Global Academic Market Manager

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in California.

📋 Description

• Create and implement a comprehensive global sales strategy targeting K–12 and higher education sectors.

• Define market priorities, set revenue objectives, segment accounts, and devise regional growth strategies.

• Identify high-potential educational entities such as institutions, school systems, universities, athletic departments, campus recreation programs, and educational networks.

• Develop a scalable sales model for direct sales as well as global dealer and distributor channels.

• Cultivate and manage relationships with decision-makers in the academic market.

• Oversee direct sales efforts for key academic accounts and large-scale initiatives.

• Manage opportunities from qualification through proposal, negotiation, purchase order, installation, and post-sale support.

• Generate new business opportunities across schools, colleges, universities, vocational institutions, and campus recreation facilities.

• Foster relationships with academic associations, athletic organizations, purchasing cooperatives, and industry groups.

• Identify bids, capital projects, construction, renovations, and replacement cycles.

• Highlight Centr’s strengths in cardio, functional fitness, performance training, and Centr x HYROX offerings.

• Design equipment packages and integrated solutions that encompass equipment, education, programming, digital content, and training support.

• Train and inform dealer partners, distributors, internal sales teams, and academic customers.

• Construct and manage a global academic sales pipeline within Salesforce.

• Generate forecasts and report on revenue, pipeline health, dealer engagement, and significant projects.

• Coordinate pricing, product availability, shipping, installation, service, and project execution.

• Collaborate with Global Sales, Product, Marketing, Operations, Finance, Customer Service, Logistics, and Service teams.

• Track academic fitness trends, institutional spending, procurement practices, facility designs, and competitor actions.

• Provide senior leadership with insights on sales performance, pipeline status, accounts, dealers, market trends, competition, risks, and opportunities.

• Represent Centr at events related to education, fitness, athletics, recreation, and facilities.

• Act as Centr’s subject-matter expert and primary commercial representative for the global academic market.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business, sales, sports management, exercise science, education, or a related field is preferred.

• A minimum of 5–7 years of experience in commercial fitness equipment, institutional sales, education sales, dealer management, or a related industry.

• Proven experience selling to K–12 schools, colleges, universities, athletic departments, or campus recreation facilities.

• Demonstrated capability to manage both direct sales and dealer-supported sales channels.

• Experience with complex, project-based, and capital equipment sales is essential.

• Strong understanding of institutional procurement, bid processes, budgeting cycles, and purchasing requirements.

• Proven success in developing strategic accounts and cultivating long-term customer relationships.

• Experience working across multiple countries or regions is strongly preferred.

• Knowledge of fitness equipment, strength and conditioning, campus recreation, athletics, or physical education is highly desirable.

• Proficiency in Salesforce platforms, Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, presentation software, and sales reporting tools.

• Fluency in English is required; additional languages are advantageous.

• A valid passport and the ability to travel internationally are mandatory.

• Willingness to engage in frequent domestic and international travel, approximately 40%–60% of the role.

🏝️ Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based incentives.

• Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.

• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits.

• Flexible working arrangements and a supportive work environment.