NWEA Sr. Account Executive

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; Great Lakes (IL); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking company as a Senior Account Executive, where you will play a pivotal role in expanding educational solutions across the Great Lakes region. This exciting position focuses on acquiring new district partners and driving revenue growth through strategic relationship building and collaboration with various teams. You will have the opportunity to utilize your sales expertise and passion for education to make a significant impact on student outcomes. If you are ready to take on a challenging and rewarding role in a dynamic environment, this position is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• 6-10 years of field sales experience in the educational market.
• Proven track record of exceeding sales goals.

Responsibilities

• Acquire new district partners and expand NWEA's presence.
• Drive revenue growth through strategic relationships.

Skills

Sales Cycle Management

Negotiation Skills

Relationship Building

Analytical Skills

Organizational Skills

Communication Skills

Sales Methodology Application

Education Market Knowledge

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Education or Business

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

NWEA is a division of HMH that supports students and educators through research, assessment solutions, policy and advocacy services, professional learning and school improvement services that fight for equity, drive classroom impact and push for systemic change in our educational communities. For nearly 50 years, NWEA has developed innovative pre-K–12 assessments, including their flagship interim assessment, MAP Growth and their reading fluency and comprehension assessment, MAP Reading Fluency. For more information, visit NWEA.org to learn more.

HMH is a learning technology company committed to delivering connected solutions that engage learners, empower educators and improve student outcomes. As a leading provider of K–12 core curriculum, supplemental and intervention solutions, and professional learning services, HMH partners with educators and school districts to uncover solutions that unlock students’ potential and extend teachers’ capabilities. HMH serves more than 50 million students and 4 million educators in 150 countries. For more information, visit www.hmhco.com.

Job Title: Senior Account Executive

Location: Remote – Candidates should reside in the Great Lakes Region

The Senior Account Executive is responsible for acquiring new customers (district partners) and expanding NWEA’s presence in mid-sized districts (1,500–25,000 students) across the Western US. Reporting to a Regional Director and partnering with an Account Manager focused on renewals, this role drives new business by developing strategic district relationships, qualifying leads, and managing a sales pipeline aligned with regional goals.

Collaboration is key, as the Sr. Account Executive works closely with teams across Marketing, Partner Support, Professional Learning, and more. This role requires strategic planning, strong relationship-building, and a willingness to travel extensively within the assigned territory. Candidates should reside within the territory.

Responsibilities

• Drive revenue growth through acquisition of new partners in the assigned territory.
• Drive lead development, qualification, and conversion into opportunities and closed sales.
• Actively prospect and close opportunities for NWEA Products and Services, including MAP Growth, MAP Reading Fluency, MAP Accelerator and Professional Development.
• Demonstrate strategic ownership of assigned territory through knowledge of funding, state initiatives and regulatory mandates.
• Develop and own a territory strategy to penetrate and grow assigned geographic region.
• Personally participate in and facilitate partner participation in informing NWEA product strategies, design, timelines, and development.
• Provide mentorship and coaching to fellow Account Executives as assigned.
• Act as a strategic and knowledgeable liaison between partners and multiple divisions of NWEA.
• Consistently act as a partner advocate, while keeping NWEA mission and objectives in the forefront of all decisions.
• Manage complex sales cycles with multiple stakeholders, both internal and external.
• Demonstrate current knowledge of NWEA products and services and the education market, including issues, trends, relevant laws, and competition; inform partners about features and benefits of products and services on a regular and proactive basis using consultative sales process.
• Use Salesforce to manage prospect opportunities and pipeline for new products and services; keep data accurate and up to date; use Salesforce for prospect, pipeline and regional reports and dashboards.
• Present price, credit, and terms in accordance with standard procedures and/or contractual requirements. Accurately process and schedule partner transactions including quotes and orders.
• Travel as required, up to 60%
• Perform other duties as assigned to ensure the success of the team and the entire organization.

Skills and Abilities

• Able to successfully move deals through the sales cycle, negotiate and close deals.
• Proven track record of selling success and ability to exceed personal and team goals.
• Skilled in analyzing and translating complex partner requirements into NWEA business offering, resulting in sound business and relationship decisions.
• Assist in defining and evaluating deliverables, parameters and language for partnership and agreements and contracts.
• Aptitude to inspire, unify and work with cross-organizational teams.
• Consistently apply proven sales methodology (i.e., Miller Heiman, Strategic Selling).
• Strong organizational skills.
• Exhibit excellent written and verbal communication skills, including strong presentation skills.
• Demonstrate commitment to the NWEA mission and culture.
• Ability to successfully manage sales relationships, pipeline, and opportunities in CRM system (Salesforce experience preferred).
• Exhibit knowledge of education market, school and business operations and functions with ability to have impactful conversations with senior school and district contacts and administrators.
• Diverse personal network of educators is a plus.
• Strategic focus in developing and executing territory plans.
• Effectively work with Partner Accounts team and NWEA organization with demonstrated ability to work effectively with a wide range of individuals and independently.
• Must be able to perform the physical and intellectual requirements of the role, with or without accommodation.

Education and Experience

• Minimum bachelor’s degree in education, business or a related field required.
• Preferred 6 - 10 years field sales experience and selling to the educational market.
• Experience initiating, acquiring, and growing mid-sized and strategic accounts.
• Experience with NWEA products, services, procedures, and implementation preferred.
• Deep understanding of K-12 education industry and assessment methods.

Benefits and Salary Range

Salary Range: $100,000 - $120,000 + commissions

The application window for this position is anticipated to close on 2/7/25. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. The posting may be available past this date but is not guaranteed.

HMH is fully committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and to attracting, retaining, developing and promoting the most qualified employees without regard to race, gender, color, religion, sexual orientation, family status, marital status, pregnancy, gender identity, ethnic/national origin, ancestry, age, disability, military status, genetic predisposition, citizenship status, status as a disabled veteran, recently separated veteran, Armed Forces service medal veteran, other covered veteran, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. We are dedicated to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment, and where employees are treated with respect and dignity. We actively participate in E-Verify.