Strategic Account Director - Colleges & Universities

vivenu; New York (NY); On-site; USD 240,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

vivenu is seeking a senior leader to own and scale partnerships within the Power 4 and Ivy League, acting as the primary strategic lead for premier accounts and advising university executives.

You will drive negotiations across complex buyer groups, craft go-to-market strategies with GTM and leadership, and influence product roadmaps to maintain vivenu’s dominance in elite sports tech.

Qualifications

• Master’s or Bachelor’s degree from a top-tier institution.
• 7+ years of professional experience in Strategic Enterprise Sales, Account Management, or leadership roles in Higher Education/Collegiate Athletics.
• Experience navigating university procurement processes and stakeholder networks.
• Desire to transform ticketing in Power 4 and collegiate ecosystem, replacing legacy systems with modern tech.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end strategy for securing and scaling partnerships within the Power 4 and Ivy League.
• Advise Athletic Directors, CFOs, and university leadership with executive presence.
• Lead high-stakes negotiations across multi-stakeholder environments.
• Define and execute sales strategy for Power 4 and collegiate ecosystem, shaping product roadmap.
• Manage long-term, high-touch deals and travel to support customers as needed.

Skills

Strategic Enterprise Sales

Account Management

Stakeholder Management

Executive Presence

Education

Master’s or Bachelor’s Degree

Job description

Redefine the future of live entertainment tech

Welcome to vivenu, the global leader in event ticketing tech and one of the world’s fastest-growing live entertainment tech firms. We are transforming event ticketing for global leaders like the Grammys, the Golden Globes, Stanford University and the Hockenheimring turning what was once a simple transaction into a strategic business advantage. Backed by over $65 million in funding, our platform empowers event organizers to own their brand experience, unlock deep data insights, and seamlessly integrate ticketing into their digital infrastructure.

With six offices worldwide and growing, we deliver a customizable, intuitive solution and industry-leading support that simplify even the most complex ticketing challenges –helping organizers deliver exceptional experiences and drive real growth.

Join us and build the future of live entertainment.

In this role, your responsibilities will include:

• Owning the end-to-end strategy for securing and scaling partnerships within the Power 4 (SEC, Big Ten, ACC, Big 12), serving as the primary strategic lead for these premier accounts


• Acting as a trusted advisor to Athletic Directors, CFOs, and University leadership, you will navigate these institutions with the same executive presence and political acumen required for a Fortune 500 C-suite


• Leading high-stakes negotiations and complex sales cycles across multi-stakeholder environments, effectively bridging the gap between central administration, IT, and athletic departments to align operational, technical, and economic buyers


• Defining and executing the sales strategy for the Power 4 and Ivy League in collaboration with GTM and executive leadership, helping shape the product roadmap to ensure vivenu remains the dominant force in the elite sports ecosystem


• Orchestrating sophisticated, long-term deals that require strategic patience, persistence, and high-touch relationship management


• Maintaining deep knowledge of the sports and collegiate ecosystem, traveling as needed to support customers and engage with the industry

What you will need to succeed in this role:

• A Master’s Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree from a top-tier institution, ideally in Business Administration, Sports Management, or a related field



• 7+ years of professional experience in Strategic Enterprise Sales, Account Management, OR leadership roles within Higher Education / Collegiate Athletics (e.g., Athletic Departments, University Administration, or Collegiate Business Operations).




• Firsthand experience navigating university organizational structures, procurement processes, and stakeholder networks—whether working inside an Athletic Department or selling directly to Athletic Directors, Senior Associate ADs, University CFOs, and Central IT.




• A deep-seated desire to transform the ticketing landscape within the Power 4 and collegiate ecosystem; while you don’t need to be a ticketing veteran, you are driven by the challenge of replacing legacy systems with modern technology to solve the unique operational hurdles of world-class universities.




• A reputation as a \"quick study\" who can rapidly master the nuances of a new industry and translate that knowledge into immediate credibility with senior leaders.



• Executive presence and the ability to communicate with clarity and authority, whether you are in a boardroom or leading a large-scale presentation


• A \"founder\" mentality where you thrive in ambiguity and enjoy building a playbook from the ground up as much as you enjoy executing it


• A deep sense of grit and curiosity that drives you to solve complex organizational problems and deliver long‑term growth

Why join vivenu?

Live Entertainment Tech

Play a mission-critical role for global brands, redefining fan experiences from festivals to major sports events. Here, you’re part of the business of fun — powered by cutting‑edge technology that brings moments to life for millions.

Sustainable Growth

We scale sustainably on a profitable, VC-backed foundation with true product‑market fit. This means continuous investment in our people, products, and long‑term vision.

Top-tier Team

Collaborate with over 160 dedicated professionals, including leaders from Google, Slack, and Salesforce. Together, we’re shaping the future of live entertainment technology, one decision at a time.

Global DNA

We’re a diverse, merit‑driven team spread across six global offices. Talent and impact are what matter here — not hierarchy or background.

Fast Growing, in All Aspects

Sifted consistently ranks us among the fastest-growing scale‑ups in Europe. We’re driven by daily learning, shared wins, and collective growth.

Next-Gen Leaders & Insights

Work alongside some of tech’s brightest minds — from Forbes 30 Under 30 founders to Executive of the Year award winners. At vivenu, you’ll help set the standard for the ticketing industry’s future.

vivenu Inclusion Statement

At vivenu, we believe our people define our success – and that we win with bold, diverse minds. The strongest teams are built on different perspectives, experiences, and voices. We’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels empowered to contribute, grow, and thrive to shape the future of live entertainment globally.

Check out our mission statement and corporate values here.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

The approximate compensation range for this role includes On Target Earnings (OTE) of $240,000-$280,000. Factors such as a candidate's relevant work experience, skills, and certifications will determine the final compensation for this role, and commission is not guaranteed.