Segment Director, Education

About the role

To serve as the company’s foremost expert and growth driver for the K–12, Higher Education and Government market segments. This person owns the end-to-end strategy for how the company wins in education and government — from understanding how schools, universities and governments specify, fund, and purchase flooring; to shaping the product portfolio, segment/industry relationships, and go-to-market/selling approaches that drive segment revenue, profit and market share growth.

Core Responsibilities

• Segment Insights & Strategy Development

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive view of the education and government market — enrollment trends, facility construction and renovation cycles, funding mechanisms (state/local/federal bonds/funding), and competitive landscape
• Define the company’s positioning and value proposition specifically for facilities teams and the design/specification community serving them
• Define the company’s “where to play” and “how to win” strategy and execution plan
• Set short and long-term segment revenue targets and growth roadmaps

• Go-to-Market Leadership

• Develop the sales playbook (“How to sell”) — how to navigate the buying process across facilities directors, purchasing departments, architects/specifiers, and cooperative purchasing vehicles
• Partner with national and regional sales teams to build segment expertise and pipeline
• Identify and develop strategic relationships with key education-focused architecture and design firms

• Product & Portfolio

• Work with product development and marketing to ensure the portfolio meets segment specific needs — durability, acoustics, indoor air quality, budget tiers, and relevant sustainability certifications
• Champion education/government-relevant innovation performance properties, ease of maintenance, moisture protection, wear, etc.
• Provide voice-of-customer input from the segment back into the product roadmap

• Industry Leadership

• Engage with relevant industry associations (A4LE, APPA, etc) to build brand presence and credibility
• Partner with marketing to develop segment-specific content, case studies, sales collateral, CEU courses for architects and specifiers, and trade show presence
• Position the company as a trusted advisor on flooring in learning environments — acoustics, design, safety, and wellness
• Represent the company at key education/government industry events and forums

• Financial Performance & Reporting

• Steward the P&L for the education/government segments
• Track leading and lagging indicators
• Report segment performance to senior leadership and adjust strategy accordingly

Candidate Profile

• Commercial and Segment Expertise

• PREFERRED: Expertise in one or more of the following areas: Commercial Flooring Experience — 10+ years in commercial flooring in a senior sales, segment, or business development role with demonstrable education and/or government segment experience. Have existing relationships within the industry segments
• BUILDING PRODUCTS SEGMENT: Comes from an adjacent building products category (ceiling systems, furniture, lighting, etc.) where they led an education/government segment. Understands the education and government buying cycle deeply and can transfer that expertise to flooring
• EDUCATION/GOVERNMENT FACILITIES / PROCUREMENT LEADER: Broad expertise as an end user (facilities leadership, university projects, etc.), understanding the needs and buying cycles of new and renovation driven projects
• ARCHITECTURE/DESIGN: Strong background in designing and specifying education/government projects with experience in end-to-end project management. Experience in the specification process and the role of architects, interior designers, and owners’ representatives in project delivery
• FAMILIARITY WITH RELEVANT CERTIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS: FloorScore, EPD, HPD, C2C, etc.

• Experience & Background

• 10+ years total, with at least 5 years in a role with direct education and/or government segment responsibility
• Deep familiarity with public education/government procurement — cooperative purchasing vehicles, state bid schedules, and bond-funded capital projects
• Understanding of the specification process and the role of architects, interior designers, and owners’ representatives in project delivery
• Familiarity with relevant certifications and standards — FloorScore, EPD, HPD, C2C, etc.

• Skills & Competencies

• Strategic Thinking
• Commercial Acumen
• Relationship Building & Influence
• Communication & Thought Leadership

What We Offer

• A commitment that Safety is #1
• Competitive benefits, pay, and retirement plan options!
• Career growth, stability, and flexible work arrangements.
• Responsible Manufacturing – Protecting Our Planet for the Future
• We utilize renewable energy and a closed loop recycled water process.
• We are committed to reducing greenhouse emissions and water consumption.
• We are the only flooring company recognized by the Asthma and Allergy foundation.

Who we are:

• With a history of more than 140 years, Tarkett is a worldwide leader in innovative and sustainable flooring and sport surface solutions, generating turnover of €3.3 billion in 2025.
• The Group has close to 12,000 employees, 25 R&D centers, 8 recycling centers and 33 production sites.
• Tarkett creates and manufactures solutions for hospitals, schools, housing, hotels, offices, stores and sports fields, serving customers in over 100 countries.
• To build “The Way to Better Floors,” the Group is committed to circular economy and sustainability, in line with its Tarkett Human-Conscious Design® approach.
• www.tarkett-group.com

Equal Opportunity Employer

We value diversity in backgrounds and in experiences and promote an inclusive workplace where all employees can perform at their best.