Higher Education Special Market Sales Representative (Specialist)

This role partners with faculty, administrators, and campus stakeholders to identify customer needs, drive courseware and program adoption decisions, and deliver innovative digital, print, and service solutions that improve learner outcomes, expand affordability, and support institutional success. 

The ideal candidate brings a strong track record of sales success, strategic selling capability, and the ability to build trusted relationships with educators and decision-makers. This role requires a highly motivated, customer-focused individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment, embraces data-driven selling, and is passionate about the evolving role of digital learning solutions in higher education. 

This is a primarily remote/home-based inside sales role with limited travel, including occasional campus visits and national meetings. Relocation is not available for this position. 

What You’ll Do 

Drive Strategic Sales Growth 

Meet or exceed territory revenue and subscription targets by expanding adoption of Pearson’s digital, print, and service solutions across assigned accounts 

Build, manage, and advance a strong pipeline of competitive opportunities using market intelligence, customer insights, and disciplined sales execution 

Accelerate the adoption of subscription-based and Inclusive Access solutions that improve student affordability and access 

Execute key selling cycles, including back-to-school campaigns, to increase student engagement and drive market share growth 

Build Strong Customer Partnerships 

Develop trusted relationships with faculty, department leaders, and institutional stakeholders by understanding their instructional goals and challenges 

Engage customers through virtual meetings, phone, and email, using consultative selling techniques to uncover needs and recommend tailored solutions 

Deliver compelling presentations, product demonstrations, and student-facing technology training that support successful adoption 

Collaborate with campus bookstores and administrators to maximize sell-through and implementation success 

Collaborate and Execute with Excellence 

Partner closely with Account Executives, Customer Success, subject matter experts, and operations teams to support program-wide and institution-wide opportunities 

Maintain disciplined pipeline management and accurate forecasting in Salesforce (OneCRM) 

Develop strategic territory and adoption-level plans to prioritize opportunities and maximize results 

Stay current on Pearson’s products, platforms, capabilities, and higher education market trends 

Contribute to a collaborative and inclusive team environment by sharing best practices and supporting continuous learning 

What Success Looks Like 

Success in this role will be measured by: 

Achievement or exceedance of territory revenue and subscription targets 

Development and conversion of a strong pipeline of qualified opportunities 

Growth in market share and adoption of Inclusive Access and subscription solutions 

Strong pipeline discipline, forecasting accuracy, and sales execution 

High levels of customer satisfaction and cross-functional collaboration 

What You Bring 

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience 

3+ years of successful sales experience, ideally in higher education or a related industry 

Proven track record of achieving results in a fast-paced, goal-oriented sales environment 

Strong consultative selling, relationship-building, and presentation skills 

Demonstrated ability to identify customer needs and align solutions that create value 

High level of curiosity, willingness to learn, initiative, accountability, and follow-through 

Strong analytical and technology skills, including experience with Microsoft Office, CRM systems, virtual presentation platforms, and related business tools, including generative AI 

Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation communication skills 

Preferred Attributes 

Positive, proactive, and self-directed approach 

Passion for education and digital learning innovation 

Strong organizational and time-management skills 

Resilience and persistence in overcoming obstacles 

Collaborative mindset and commitment to inclusive teamwork 

Adaptability and learning agility in a changing market 

Compensation 

The anticipated base salary range for this role is $55,000–$75,000. This position is also eligible to participate in a Sales Incentive Program. Actual compensation will vary based on experience, skills, and geographic location. 

Why Join Pearson? 

At Pearson, you’ll have the opportunity to help shape the future of higher education while building a rewarding career in consultative sales. We offer comprehensive training, ongoing professional development, competitive benefits, and opportunities for advancement across sales, leadership, marketing, product, and other functions. Together, we are helping educators and institutions improve access, affordability, and student success.