Strategic Account Director (Remote)

About the role

We are seeking a Strategic Account Director to join our team in one of the following areas: Southern California, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island. This role requires 35–50% travel.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex contract negotiations with senior-level academic and administrative leaders, including provosts, chief academic officers, finance, and procurement collaborators.
• Own the overall account strategy and forecast for each institution within the assigned territory.
• Develop multi-year growth, retention, and expansion plans that align with institutional priorities and Cengage business objectives.
• Strategically identify and capitalize on high-impact institutional opportunities, ensuring alignment with customer objectives and improved student outcomes.
• Develop financial models and arguments that align Cengage Unlimited (CU) benefits with the institution’s specific budgetary and retention goals to demonstrate the return on investment.
• Spearhead new business development opportunities at an executive level through personal sales engagement, networking, market research, and targeted outreach.
• Drive institutional revenue growth and CU renewals by proactively managing renewal timelines and upsell, expansion, and conversion opportunities in partnership with Solutions Specialists.
• Clearly articulate the value proposition of Cengage products and services in support of institutional priorities such as affordability, equity of access, student persistence, and academic achievement.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's Degree (BA/BS)
• 5+ years of successful experience in educational or enterprise-level sales
• Proven ability to own and complete strategic account plans with long-term revenue accountability
• Strong background in high-level negotiations
• Strong analytical, written, verbal, and presentation skills
• Deep understanding of higher-education institutional financial and academic decision-making structures
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and CRM platforms, preferably Salesforce

Qualifications

• Experience in educational or enterprise-level sales
• Ability to lead complex negotiations
• Strong analytical and communication skills
• Understanding of higher-education financial and academic decision-making
• CRM proficiency, preferably Salesforce

Skills

• Thought leadership within the institutional sales process
• Foster collaborative, high-trust relationships across internal teams
• Position oneself as a subject-matter authority on Cengage institutional business models and account strategy
• Use data-driven insights to optimize programs and strengthen long-term outcomes
• Manage and deepen customer relationships through program kickoffs, onboarding support, executive-level success reviews, and ongoing strategic engagement
• Collaborate closely with sales, channel, customer success, marketing, and operations teams to ensure cohesive execution and accountability across institutional programs
• Champion disciplined pipeline, opportunity, and account management within CRM systems (Salesforce)

Benefits

Cengage is committed to providing a comprehensive and rewarding Total Rewards package designed to support and empower our employees. The full base pay range for this position is $77,100.00 - $100,200.00 USD. Individual base pay will vary based on work schedule, qualifications, experience, internal equity, and geographic location. Sales roles often incorporate a significant incentive compensation program beyond this base pay range.

Pay

$77,100.00 - $100,200.00 USD

Schedule

Variable, with 35–50% travel expected.