Associate Sales Executive

Sodexo; Bethesda (MD); Remote; USD 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative organization is seeking a passionate Associate Sales Executive to drive growth in the K-12 education sector. This remote position emphasizes learning and mentorship, providing a solid foundation for career advancement. The ideal candidate will engage with clients, understand their needs, and deliver tailored solutions to enhance educational experiences. With a focus on building relationships and effective sales practices, this role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while collaborating with a dynamic team. If you're eager to learn and grow in a supportive environment, this position is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, or related field required.
• 1-3 years of experience in sales or customer service preferred.

Responsibilities

• Identify and analyze potential sales opportunities and client needs.
• Collaborate on proposal development and prepare compelling sales presentations.

Skills

Sales Development

Client Relationship Management

Communication Skills

Organizational Skills

Consultative Selling

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Business or Related Field

Tools

CRM Tools

Data Analysis Tools

Job description

Role Overview

Sodexo is seeking an Associate Sales Executive for our schools (K-12) segment, focusing on independent schools.

This is a remote role with 50-70% travel, with the preferred candidate located in the North Eastern United States.

This entry-level role is ideal for a passionate self-starter eager to learn the full sales cycle, from lead generation to closing, while building meaningful client relationships in the education sector. The Associate Sales Executive will support business growth by identifying opportunities, understanding client needs, and delivering tailored solutions that enhance the student and faculty experience at prestigious boarding schools. Emphasizing learning, mentorship, and career development, this role provides an excellent foundation for advancing into higher-level sales positions within a dynamic organization.

What You'll Do

The Associate Sales Executive supports new business development by identifying and analyzing potential opportunities, fostering positive client relationships, and contributing to growth through effective sales practices. This role collaborates with internal teams, leveraging company methodologies and strategic insights to drive client satisfaction and success. The focus is primarily on smaller-scale opportunities, managing a portfolio with a lower sales quota compared to senior roles.

1. Lead sales efforts by presenting solutions, managing the sales process, and advancing opportunities through the pipeline to close deals aligned with company goals and client needs.
2. Execute outreach strategies using CRM and data tools to identify opportunities, tailor messaging, and build a prospect funnel.
3. Collaborate on proposal development and prepare compelling sales proposals and presentations that address prospect pain points and highlight the organization’s value. Develop and execute business plans and forecasts to achieve sales targets, market share, and financial goals.
4. Participate in industry associations and events with industry leaders and purchasing executives to generate leads and stay informed on trends and competitors.

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, hospitality, facilities management, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• 1–3 years of experience in sales, business development, account management, or customer service.
• Internship or part-time experience in B2B sales, hospitality, food service, or facilities management is a plus.
• Experience in education services, independent schools, or institutional environments is a bonus but not required.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to conduct prospecting, cold outreach, and qualifying conversations.
• Basic understanding of consultative selling principles.
• Ability to research clients and develop tailored outreach strategies.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Eagerness to learn about complex service solutions (food, facilities, environmental services).
• Highly motivated and goal-oriented.
• Collaborative mindset and ability to work in a team environment.
• Curiosity to understand client challenges and propose solutions.
• Coachable with a growth mindset; open to feedback and continuous improvement.
• Willingness to travel as needed to client sites, industry events, or training sessions.

Qualifications & Requirements

Minimum Education Requirement: Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience.
Minimum Functional Experience: 3 years.