K -12 Account Executive - Greater Chicago Land

Bluum; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Bluum is seeking an Account Executive to drive new business within the Greater Chicago Land territory. The role emphasizes in-person customer engagement, opportunity discovery, and revenue growth across education and public sector markets.

The ideal candidate is a proactive hunter with strong relationship-building skills, comfortable traveling to customer sites and managing a multi-opportunity pipeline in a field-based sales role.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of sales, business development, or account management experience.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to prospect and generate new business opportunities.
• Self-motivated with strong organizational and time management skills.
• Comfortable working independently within a territory-based sales environment.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel throughout assigned territory.

Responsibilities

• Prospect and develop new business opportunities within assigned territory.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with K-12, higher education, and public sector customers.
• Conduct in-person meetings, site visits, presentations, and customer drop-ins.
• Generate and manage a healthy sales pipeline through proactive outreach and territory planning.
• Identify dormant accounts and uncover new opportunities for growth.
• Drive territory expansion through strategic account development.
• Consistently meet or exceed sales and margin goals.
• Maintain accurate pipeline and CRM updates.

Skills

Territory sales

Relationship building

Prospecting

Time management

Independent work

Driver's license

Tools

CRM

Job description

*This is a field sales role that requires candidates to be located and willing to frequently travel to customers sites within a specific territory. The territory is Greater Chicago Land.

Position Summary

The Account Executive (AE) is responsible for developing new business opportunities, growing existing customer relationships, and driving revenue growth within an assigned territory.

This role requires a highly motivated hunter mentality combined with strong relationship-building skills. Successful candidates are proactive, customer-focused, coachable, and energized by building long-term partnerships within the education and public sector markets.

The ideal candidate enjoys being in the field, meeting customers face-to-face, uncovering opportunities, and helping organizations make impactful technology decisions.

Responsibilities

Business Development & Sales

• Prospect and develop new business opportunities within assigned territory
• Build and maintain strong relationships with K-12, higher education, and public sector customers
• Conduct in-person meetings, site visits, presentations, and customer drop-ins
• Generate and manage a healthy sales pipeline through proactive outreach and territory planning
• Identify dormant accounts and uncover new opportunities for growth
• Drive territory expansion through strategic account development
• Consistently meet or exceed sales and margin goals

Customer Relationship Management

• Serve as a trusted advisor to customers by understanding their goals and challenges
• Recommend technology solutions that align with customer needs and budgets
• Deliver exceptional customer experiences through responsiveness and follow-through
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure successful project execution
• Build long-term partnerships based on trust, integrity, and value

Territory & Pipeline Management

• Develop and execute territory growth plans
• Prioritize accounts and opportunities effectively
• Maintain accurate pipeline and customer activity within CRM systems
• Forecast sales activity and revenue opportunities
• Manage multiple opportunities and sales cycles simultaneously
• Partner with internal teams including engineering, project management, and leadership
• Stay current on industry trends, educational technology, AV solutions, cybersecurity, and Bluum offerings
• Participate in ongoing sales training and professional development
• Embrace coaching, feedback, and continuous improvement opportunities

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• 2+ years of sales, business development, or account management experience
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• Ability to prospect and generate new business opportunities
• Self-motivated with strong organizational and time management skills
• Comfortable working independently within a territory-based sales environment
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel throughout assigned territory

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience selling into K-12, higher education, or public sector environments
• EdTech, AV, IT, networking, or cybersecurity sales experience
• Experience with consultative or solution-based selling
• Familiarity with education funding cycles and procurement processes
• CRM experience preferred

What Makes Someone Successful in This Role

Successful Bluum Account Executives are:

• Highly driven and motivated
• Coachable and open to feedback
• Relationship-oriented and customer-focused
• Comfortable prospecting and opening new doors
• Strategic in managing their territory and pipeline
• Energetic, resilient, and proactive
• Passionate about education and technology
• Willing to spend significant time in the field meeting customers
• Top performers thrive by combining a hunter mentality with authentic relationship building.
• Prospecting & Business Development
• Territory Planning
• Relationship Management
• Consultative Selling
• Communication & Presentation Skills
• Problem Solving
• Customer-First Mindset
• Adaptability & Coachability

Technology & Industry Exposure

Candidates with experience or interest in the following areas are highly valued:

• Classroom technology
• Interactive displays and panels
• Audio visual (AV) solutions
• Conferencing and collaboration tools
• Networking and infrastructure
• Cybersecurity
• Digital signage
• Devices and endpoint solutions
• Software and cloud-based technologies
• Field-based role with regular customer travel
• Combination of remote work, customer visits, and internal collaboration
• Opportunity to make a meaningful impact in education and technology