Business Development Account Executive, WGU Academy

If you’re passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country—and you’re committed to working hard to play your part in building that future—consider WGU as the next step in your career.

Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.

The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:
 

Grade: Professional 312Pay Range: $106,700.00 - $165,400.00

Job Description

The Business Development Account Executive is the driving force behind WGU Academy’s growth. This role is responsible for driving the overall B2B (business to business) strategy and leading the execution of new partnership business for WGU Academy. The Business Development Account Executive is responsible for direct partnership growth by leveraging the WGU brand to expand access to the transformational WGU Academy learning experiences in college readiness and career development for learners. They will act as SME (subject matter expert) for all WGU Academy products for the University and Regional partnership development teams. They will also represent WGU Academy to external stakeholders with integrity and compassion.
INTERNAL APPLICANTS MUST APPLY BY: 6:8:26
Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
Cultivate and manage partner relationships to drive enrollments, student matriculation, and employability.
Work with cross-functional University and WGU Academy teams to report market intelligence, contract, onboard, and execute custom sales when necessary.
Engage consultatively with C-suite executives at key organizations to create new partnerships.
Work in collaboration with University, Regional, and Academy leadership teams with prospective and current employer partners that successfully satisfy shared strategies and objectives.
Collaborate with relevant internal teams such as marketing, finance, program development, and regional operations to ensure the progress of partnerships.
Use multiple sales tools to research and connect with prospects (email, phone, LinkedIn, F2F, etc.) and capture all client interactions in SalesForce.
Track and report partnership metrics at the cadence agreed to with the partner.
Research and attend sponsored industry conferences to represent WGU Academy and grow prospect funnel via panels, booths, dinner meetings, etc.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skill and Abilities:
Excellent time management skills with the ability to multi-task and effectively prioritize in a fast-paced environment.
Exceptional attention to detail.
Strategic and creative thinker with a strong ownership and goal-oriented drive.
Demonstrates professional demeanour for constant interaction with numerous internal and external contacts.
Ability to work cross-functionally, representing and valuing the needs of various constituents, and creating positive working relationships.
Ability to lead and achieve results as an independent contributor, through teams, or via influence.
Expert command of multiple consultative sales methodologies and influencing skills.
Possesses an entrepreneurial spirit and a ‘will do’ attitude.
Strong oral and written communication skills, important for presenting and articulating the company's competitive advantages, creating strong presentations, sending concise emails, and completing proposals.
Naturally curious with a drive to increase your knowledge of the field, customers, and companies through personal research.
Confident and comfortable engaging C-level executives and decision-makers.
Data and research-driven professional.
Expert command of business development strategies with the ability to increase the pipeline of B2B2C learners in both the college readiness and career development portfolios and partnerships.
Ability to understand enterprise-wide issues and structure innovative solutions that support large organizations in achieving their development goals.
Intermediate-level proficiency in Word, Excel, and Outlook
Strong prospecting skills and proficiency in account planning and development of high-level client relationships.
Competencies:
Organizational Impact:
Works to achieve operational targets with significant to major impact on department, Function, or Office results. May be responsible for managing large projects or processes within the department, function, or office.​
Performs work as directed with limited oversight.
Problem Solving & Decision Making:
Responsible for leveraging a systems-thinking approach, making moderate to significant improvements of processes, systems, and plans within the department, Function, or Office.​
Problems and issues faced are numerous and challenging, will require detailed information gathering and analysis. Problems typically affect multiple areas or specialties.
Communication & Influence:
Collaborates cross-functionally with employees within and outside of the department. Typically has responsibility for communicating with parties external to the University.​
Works to influence parties within and outside the department, Function, or Office regarding policies, procedures, and practices. 
Leadership & Talent Management
Responsible for providing guidance, coaching, and training to other employees in the department, Function, or Office.
Responsible for managing projects involving delegation of work and review of others’ work products.
​Demonstrates the WGU leadership principles in all aspects of service to students, employees, and partners of WGU.
Job Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in a related field
7+ years of consultative sales experience.
7+ years of experience in corporate, government, education, or private sector B2B sales and cold calling.
Solid industry-specific and account knowledge
Demonstrated use and skills with CRM products.
Preferred Qualifications:
Sales background in one or more industries: Education, Retail, Hospitality, Food Services, Healthcare, Banking, Manufacturing, or Technology.
5+ years of corporate/industry marketing experience strongly preferred.
Proved relationship with educational benefit decision-makers is highly desirable.
Working Conditions:
May include some travel, including overnight, up to 30%
Physical Requirements:
Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
 

Position & Application Details

Full-Time Regular Positions (classified as regular and working 40 standard weekly hours): This is a full-time, regular position (classified for 40 standard weekly hours) that is eligible for bonuses; medical, dental, vision, telehealth and mental healthcare; health savings account and flexible spending account; basic and voluntary life insurance; disability coverage; accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages; legal and identity theft coverage; retirement savings plan; wellbeing program; discounted WGU tuition; and flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual, flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual, 11 paid holidays, and other paid leaves, including up to 12 weeks of parental leave.

How to Apply: If interested, an application will need to be submitted online. Internal WGU employees will need to apply through the internal job board in Workday.

Additional Information

Disclaimer: The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It’s not all-inclusive.

Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at [email protected].

Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.