Senior Strategic Account Director (Remote) — Growth Leader

Cengage; Alabama; On-site; USD 77,100 - 100,200; Full time

Job summary

Cengage seeks a Strategic Account Director for the North America Higher Education Sales Group. You will lead complex negotiations, own strategic account plans, and drive multi-year growth across institutions within assigned territories.

Travel 35-50% to key campuses and conferences, renew CU/EA/IA programs, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to align institutional priorities with Cengage offerings.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of successful experience in educational or enterprise-level sales.
• Proven ability to own and complete strategic account plans with long-term revenue accountability.
• Strong analytical, written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Deep understanding of higher-education institutional financial and decision-making structures.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex contract negotiations with senior-level academic and administrative leaders.
• Own the overall account strategy and forecast for each institution within the assigned territory.
• Develop multi-year growth, retention, and expansion plans aligned with institutional priorities.
• Drive CU renewals by proactively managing renewal timelines and upsell opportunities.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to ensure cohesive execution and accountability across programs.
• Champion disciplined pipeline and account management within CRM systems.

Skills

Strategic account planning

High-level negotiations

Analytical skills

Communication & presentation

CRM software

Education

BA or BS degree

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

Cengage seeks a Strategic Account Director for the North America Higher Education Sales Group. You will lead complex negotiations, own strategic account plans, and drive multi-year growth across institutions within assigned territories.

Travel 35-50% to key campuses and conferences, renew CU/EA/IA programs, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to align institutional priorities with Cengage offerings.