Partner Development Executive (Higher Education Research Sales) - UK

Vista Equity Partners Management, LLC; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Vista Equity Partners is seeking a Partner Development Executive with a strong background in sales within the higher education sector. This role involves strategic relationship-building with university leaders across the UK to advance EAB's offerings. Candidates should have significant experience in sales, a proven track record of meeting targets, and the ability to consult effectively with clients. A passion for higher education and the ability to travel is essential.

Qualifications

• 6-8+ years of professional experience in business development roles.
• Proven track record of exceeding revenue targets.
• Experience facilitating discussions and client presentations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic plans to sell research partnerships.
• Meet with senior executives to discuss solutions.
• Negotiate and acquire new clients.

Skills

Negotiation

Persuasion

Sales

Presentation Skills

Critical Thinking

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Job description

Partner Development Executive (Higher Education Research Sales) - UK

AtEAB, our mission is to make education smarter and our communities stronger. We work with more than 2,800 institutions to drive transformative change through data-driven insights and best-in-class capabilities. From kindergarten to college to career, EAB partners with leaders and practitioners to accelerate progress and drive results across enrollment, student success, institutional strategy, data analytics, and advancement. We work with each partner differently, tailoring our portfolio of research, technology, and marketing and enrollment solutions to meet the unique needs of every leadership team, as well as the students and employees they serve.

At EAB, we serve not only our partner institutions but each other—that's why we are always working to make sure our employees love their jobs and are invested in their communities. See how we've been recognized for this dedication to our employeesby checking out ourrecent awards.

For more information, visitourCareers page.

The Role in Brief:

Partner Development Executive(Higher Education Research Sales) - UK

Our staff represents EAB at the executive level at universities in the United Kingdom and Continental Europe. We seek persuasive leaders with a passion for building strategic relationships -- people who are comfortable listening and collaborating with Chancellors/Vice Chancellors and their respective senior teams to help diagnose their key challenges and how EAB can help accelerate their strategic goals.

As our ambassadors and connectors, our Partner Development Executives are pivotal to the growth of our firm. They help launch new programs and lines of business while generating revenue and expanding our impact on an industry that matters to everyone.

This Partner Development Executive role may be hired at the ‘Director, Partner Development’ or ‘Senior Director, Partner Development’ level within EAB. Candidates will be considered at both levels for the current opening.

This position will be based in the UK.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute strategic plan for selling research partnerships and subscription-based solutions within an assigned prospect pool of educational institutions
• Build relationships by meeting with senior executives at universities to discuss their business issues, present best practice solutions, and convey the value proposition of EAB’s offerings
• Conduct consultative one-on-one onsite presentations to educate prospective members on our services
• Provide insights from marketing visits to inform future research initiatives and new product development inquiries
• Successfully negotiate and acquire new clients, and expand memberships for existing clients
• Meet quarterly and annual revenue goals through management of a sales pipeline with pursuits in various stages of the evaluation process
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of competitors
• Manage team members (indirectly) to goals and provide formal feedback and guidance on professional development

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or 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
• Proven negotiation and persuasion skills
• Willingness to travel at least 60%
• Valid Driver’s License
• Must possess a minimum of 6-8+ years of relevant full-time professional experience, including experience in at least two of the following:
• Presentation experience; client presentations, facilitating discussions
• Experience in Sales, Account Management, and/or the equivalent
• Experience breaking down complex or abstract ideas into simpler concepts

Ideal Qualifications:

• Desire to succeed in a sales environment and sell prospects on the current and future proposition of a product
• Engaging and memorable presentation style; demonstrated ability to build rapport and credibility quickly with an executive-level audience
• Proven track record of success in achieving revenue quotas and sales targets
• Demonstrated ability to use active listening to 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, competing priorities; strong prioritization and organizational skills
• Excellent writing, critical thinking and negotiation skills
• Consultative-based sales experience
• Commitment to embracing a continual learning environment and contributing to a dynamic and welcoming culture of fairness, authenticity, and belonging in support of EAB’s mission, values, and aspiration.

If you’ve reached this section of the job description and are unsure of whether to apply, please do! At EAB, we welcome diversity of background and experience. We would encourage you to submit an application if this is a role you would be passionate about doing every day.

At EAB, we believe that to fulfill our mission to “make education smarter and our communities stronger” we need team members who bring a diversity of perspectives to the table and are committed to fostering a workplace where each team member is valued, respected and heard.

To that end, EAB is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we make employment decisions on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need. We don’t discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law.