Ascend Learning, Inc.
Director, Sales (Sales)
Ascend Learning is a national leader in data driven, online educational solutions for learners, educators and employers in high-growth, licensure-driven professions spanning healthcare, fitness and wellness, skilled trades, insurance and financial services. We are passionate about accelerating learning while impacting job readiness, employment success and employee retention with the belief that our work changes lives.
Our culture is intentionally results-driven and selfless with a relentless focus on our customers. We believe in trust, transparency, freedom and responsibility with a commitment to meritocracy, inclusion and diversity of thought. Continual investment in our over 1400 employees is also a core principal realized through ongoing professional development and providing opportunities to grow, develop and lead. Ascend Learning is headquartered in Burlington, MA with additional office locations and remote workers in cities across the U.S. and in the U.K.
ExamFX, an Ascend Learning company, helps insurance and financial services companies license their employees and associates. ExamFX is an industry leader in Professional Pre-Licensing, providing online training and assessment for those preparing for their State Insurance and Securities exams (FINRA).
Position Summary:
We are seeking a Director, Sales to join our ExamFX business unit. Reporting to the Vice President of Sales, the Director will have responsibility for managing and leading a team of sales professionals with a keen focus on delivering on the ExamFX goals and targets (revenue growth, revenue retention and profit).
This role will be responsible for managing a sales team (4-6 Account Executives), driving the sales team's annual sales objectives and strategic initiatives which collectively will deliver on all the aggregate growth and revenue objectives of the business. This position will serve as a thought leader anticipating the educational needs to help drive new business and expand relationships with current customers. This role will have the responsibility for the selection, development, and performance of his/her sales team, which includes managing performance, pipeline development and opportunity management on an ongoing basis.
This role is currently remote but will be located in our Leawood, KS office once we are approved to return to office.
Additional responsibilities include:
· Maximize client relationships by assessing their business needs and offering creative solutions, education, and services.
· Maintain and improve existing relationships through increased engagement, interaction and the introduction of new sales approaches and concepts.
· Sponsor and participate in client seminars and events to increase our visibility and relationships within our customer base.
· Develops annual sales plan in support of organizational strategy and objectives.
· Ensure communications are coordinated, support sales plan objectives and meet organizational expenditure requirements.
· Recommends sales strategies for improvement based on market research and competitor analysis.
· Manage multi-channel selling strategies.
· Relentlessly focus on our customers. Strong pulse on our client base, prioritizing our largest and most strategic accounts.
· Along with other sales leaders, build a sales plan that realistically delivers double digit revenue growth and accretive EBITDA growth.
· Hire, manage, and mentor a highly effective sales team. Attract and retain the best salespeople in the industry.
· Drive new solution ideation and work closely with the ExamFX Content, Product, Marketing and Service teams to deliver customer centric solutions.
Required Experience:
· Bachelor's level degree in business, marketing, or another business-related field.
· A minimum of 5+ years of sales and business development leadership experience demonstrating a high level of success tied to organization building, exceeding revenue targets and entrepreneurial initiatives.
· Understanding and experience within the financial services industry including but not limited to the insurance and securities industry, brokerage distribution channels and their respective industry trends.
· Financial acumen related to forecasting, profit and loss statements, balance sheets and other financial instruments.
· Ability to travel a minimum of 25% of the time.
Preferred Experience & Qualifications:
· Past professional experience having successfully established sales practices, selecting, training, motivating, compensating, evaluating, sizing, establishing structure and setting goals for high performing sales organizations.
· Leadership: a demonstrated ability to lead people and deliver results in a team environment.
· Planning: an ability to think ahead and plan over a 1-3-year timespan.
· Management: the ability to organize and manage multiple priorities.
· Sales leadership within the educational, financial services and/or virtual learning related environment preferred.
· Ability to navigate crucial and courageous conversations for organizational resource optimization.
· New product launches sales tactics for execution.
· Problem analysis and problem resolution at both a strategic and functional level.
· Technical skills in strategic planning and sales planning. Employee training and development.
· Strong customer orientation.
· Excellent interpersonal and communication skills including presentation skills.
Ascend Learning, LLC is proud to be an equal opportunity employer (M/F/Vets/Disabled). No agency or search firm submissions will be accepted. Applications for U.S. based positions with Ascend Learning, LLC must be legally authorized to work in the United States and verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.
#LI-JD1
Sales