Strategic Account Director, KS/NE/OK

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Kansas, +2 more states.

📋 Description

• Lead intricate contract negotiations with senior-level academic and administrative leaders.

• Own the account strategy, forecasting, and plans for multi-year growth, retention, and expansion.

• Identify and leverage institutional opportunities that align with customer objectives and enhance student outcomes.

• Develop financial models that showcase the return on investment for Cengage Unlimited.

• Spearhead new business development at the executive level through sales engagement, networking, research, and outreach.

• Propel institutional revenue growth, renewals, upsells, expansions, and conversions.

• Clearly communicate the value of Cengage products and services regarding affordability, equity, persistence, and achievement.

• Manage IA/EA/CUI data analysis to inform account strategy and decision-making processes.

• Lead institutional change management efforts toward digital access models.

• Oversee customer relationships through project kickoffs, onboarding, executive success reviews, and strategic engagement initiatives.

• Act as a trusted strategic advisor utilizing data-driven insights.

• Coordinate efforts with sales, channel partners, customer success, marketing, operations, and internal teams.

• Maintain pipeline, opportunity, and account management within Salesforce.

• Provide thought leadership on institutional business models and account strategies.

• Synthesize market feedback and institutional trends for Cengage leadership.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor's degree (BA or BS).

• 5+ years of successful experience in educational or enterprise-level sales.

• Demonstrated ability to own and execute strategic account plans with long-term revenue accountability.

• Strong background in high-level negotiations.

• Excellent analytical, written, verbal, and presentation skills.

• In-depth understanding of higher education institutional financial and academic decision-making structures.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office and CRM platforms, preferably Salesforce.

• Willingness and ability to travel 35–50% to key customers, campuses, conferences, and partner events.

🏝️ Benefits

• Variable Sales incentive compensation program.

• Target variable compensation of $57,500 annually.

• Comprehensive Total Rewards package.

• Reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.