Position Summary:
The Sales Manager (SM) will lead the Adobe software sales and customer success teams to achieve financial and strategic goals, create great customer experiences, and further develop both the DSS/Douglas Stewart and Adobe brands and positive reputation with resellers and education customers.
The SM reports to the VP of the DSS business unit and participates in leadership, goal-setting, and building of DSS corporate culture as a member of the leadership team. The SM will lead a combined team of 10-20 people including 2 distinct teams – 1) Education Success Managers primarily focused on existing customer success and retention; & 2) Business Development Managers focused on new business. Collaborating with Adobe management and supporting their goals and business requirements are critical aspect of the SM position.
Overview of Essential Duties / Functions:
Execution
- Lead the team to achieve quarterly and annual targets for gross margin, revenue, and active use
- Manage pipeline – track, forecast, identify gaps and mitigation, and communicate sales pipeline vs targets
- Deliver team performance on annual planned initiatives and strategic goals with the evaluation and report of progress
- Assist team to present to customers and win strategic sales opportunities
- Present business results and initiatives to sales team, DSS executive leadership as well as Adobe management
- Develop and communicate vision and expectation levels to team members relating them to DSS and Adobe strategic direction and values
- Assist team in building strategic sales plans for their focus accounts and review progress regularly
- Manage expenses vs budgets for team T&E and training
Planning & training
- Create and implement training plans for the sales team recognizing achievement towards knowledge and competency standards
- Create and deploy and continuously refine the business model for understanding and creating the appropriate customer and product segmentation to achieve business goals
- Determine the individuals in the roles, monitor and constantly improve team performance within the given team structure
- Utilize modern communication tools (web conference calls, online collaboration tools, etc.) regularly and efficiently to maintain strong flow of communication with local and remote team members
- Collaborate with leadership in the annual planning and budget process contributing to the creation of the revenue and gross margin forecast
- Work with leadership on compensation plan design and tracking for the sales team
Partnering
- Create great relationships with Adobe management, staff and strategic customers and reseller partners
- Travel to meet with partners estimated = 10% of total time spent traveling at industry trade shows, customer visits, and Adobe training or business meetings
- Other related duties as assigned.
Major Areas of Accountability:
- Drive pipeline process to achieve sales and revenue goals
- Consistently provide feedback and communication to team members related to individual, team performance.
- Participate in planning.
- Partner with other departments to achieve overall company business goals and objectives.
- Make operating decisions needed to achieve business results.
- Regularly interface with the “market” – customers and resellers to be the voice of the customer to DSS and Adobe.
Education / Experience:
- Sales leadership and senior selling experience within a B2B environment
- Experience with and deep understanding of IT channel partner business model and SAAS software
- Proven ability to motivate and lead teams
- Education industry/customer experience preferred but not required
- Track record of delivering successful business results in a similar role
- Proficiency with communication technology tools (live video web conferencing, online collaboration tools, instant messaging, etc.)
- CRM tools – Salesforce or others
- Ability to manage multiple tasks, set priorities and make informed decisions
- Bachelors degree preferred or equivalent experience
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Demonstrated ability to identify and solve problems
Personal Characteristics:
- Quick learner
- Driven to succeed
- Adaptable
- Team player
Physical Requirements
- This position requires the ability to occasionally move throughout the office to access file cabinets, office equipment, etc.
- Consistently operates a computer and other office equipment
- Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the work-day
- Ability to travel to tradeshow or customer events
Compensation
- Compensation will be a combination of base salary plus commissions tied to sales targets/quotas.