Lakeshore Learning Materials
Director of Business Development
Lakeshore Learning Materials, Detroit, Michigan, United States, 48228
At Lakeshore, we create innovative learning materials and world-class guest experiences for teachers, parents and children. Since 1954, we’ve grown into a global community—with a thriving e-commerce business, multiple catalogs, 60 retail stores, a peerless national sales force, plus international offices that support our preeminent supply chain division.
We’re seeking a Director of Business Development to join our team. In this role, you will secure new and repeat business, explore new market opportunities by building strong relationships with key customers, stakeholders as well as organizations supporting children and families, with the primary goal of growing sales year over year.
Responsibilities:
Securing new and repeat business by building strong relationships with key customers and stakeholders, growing sales year over year Participating in new market development—inclusive of research, on-site and new sales investigation Identifying and owning new and nontraditional business opportunities Develop and drive innovative strategies to grow and expand within existing markets/customer segments Attending State ECE Council Meetings, Head Start Association meetings Completing client visits on a regular, ongoing basis to assess emerging and ongoing needs Maintaining strong partnership and ongoing communication with Inside/Outside sales team to drive projects through completion Participating in local, state and national associations/conferences to promote the Lakeshore brand Maintaining an ongoing awareness of local, state and national trends as well as funding opportunities Pursuing relationships with city, county, tribal, and state government officials, school administrators and community-based organizations to support cutting-edge learning environments for children Creating, reviewing, and delivering sales presentations for large opportunities; assessing need for senior leadership participation in next steps Initiating and implementing marketing campaigns targeting funding and/or legislative-driven opportunities Establishing a thorough understanding of Lakeshore’s value adds and service proposition; ability to communicate funding and initiatives to opportunities for capture of market share Utilizing internal/external partnerships to create revenue-focused pipelines for success in relationship management and sales strategy Coaching cross-functional partners (Outside Sales, Inside Sales) on basics of policy, funding and legislation supporting education on local, state and national level Strategic planning, gap strategy development and resource planning, in alignment with company goals Prospecting in new markets; identifying and investigating new funding opportunities Ability to identify nuances of current/emerging markets and supporting growth in new or existing areas of business Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree Minimum 5+ years sales experience in pre-k through 12 education market Preferred: combination of related education and experience is highly desirable Located in: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan Ability to travel as needed 75% of time with overnights more than 50% of the time (15-28 days a month away, 2-3 nights per week away from home) Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite and Salesforce Existing relationships with state DOEs and related government agencies, early learning systems and school district leadership preferred Strong written and verbal communication skills Strong administrative and organizational skills Great attention to detail Creative problem-solving skills What We Offer:
Competitive compensation based on skills and experience Uncapped commission structure Paid leave for new parents to support work/life balance and family bonding Excellent medical/dental and vision coverage—EPO, PPO and HSA 401(k) retirement plan with company contribution Flexible benefit options—choose what you like, ignore the rest Generous employee discount on products Lakeshore is an equal opportunity employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants without regard to race, color, creed, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, marital status, domestic partnership status, military status, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, alienage, AIDS or AIDS-related complex status, genetic information, predisposition or carrier status, status as a victim of domestic violence, physical or mental disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
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Securing new and repeat business by building strong relationships with key customers and stakeholders, growing sales year over year Participating in new market development—inclusive of research, on-site and new sales investigation Identifying and owning new and nontraditional business opportunities Develop and drive innovative strategies to grow and expand within existing markets/customer segments Attending State ECE Council Meetings, Head Start Association meetings Completing client visits on a regular, ongoing basis to assess emerging and ongoing needs Maintaining strong partnership and ongoing communication with Inside/Outside sales team to drive projects through completion Participating in local, state and national associations/conferences to promote the Lakeshore brand Maintaining an ongoing awareness of local, state and national trends as well as funding opportunities Pursuing relationships with city, county, tribal, and state government officials, school administrators and community-based organizations to support cutting-edge learning environments for children Creating, reviewing, and delivering sales presentations for large opportunities; assessing need for senior leadership participation in next steps Initiating and implementing marketing campaigns targeting funding and/or legislative-driven opportunities Establishing a thorough understanding of Lakeshore’s value adds and service proposition; ability to communicate funding and initiatives to opportunities for capture of market share Utilizing internal/external partnerships to create revenue-focused pipelines for success in relationship management and sales strategy Coaching cross-functional partners (Outside Sales, Inside Sales) on basics of policy, funding and legislation supporting education on local, state and national level Strategic planning, gap strategy development and resource planning, in alignment with company goals Prospecting in new markets; identifying and investigating new funding opportunities Ability to identify nuances of current/emerging markets and supporting growth in new or existing areas of business Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree Minimum 5+ years sales experience in pre-k through 12 education market Preferred: combination of related education and experience is highly desirable Located in: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan Ability to travel as needed 75% of time with overnights more than 50% of the time (15-28 days a month away, 2-3 nights per week away from home) Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite and Salesforce Existing relationships with state DOEs and related government agencies, early learning systems and school district leadership preferred Strong written and verbal communication skills Strong administrative and organizational skills Great attention to detail Creative problem-solving skills What We Offer:
Competitive compensation based on skills and experience Uncapped commission structure Paid leave for new parents to support work/life balance and family bonding Excellent medical/dental and vision coverage—EPO, PPO and HSA 401(k) retirement plan with company contribution Flexible benefit options—choose what you like, ignore the rest Generous employee discount on products Lakeshore is an equal opportunity employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants without regard to race, color, creed, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, marital status, domestic partnership status, military status, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, alienage, AIDS or AIDS-related complex status, genetic information, predisposition or carrier status, status as a victim of domestic violence, physical or mental disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
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