Higher Education Account Executive - Midwest/Great Lakes

Nelnet Business Services (NBS), a division of Nelnet, Inc., provides payment technology, education services, and learning management solutions to education and faith-based organizations, serving more than 1,300 higher education institutions, 11,500 K-12 schools, 3,500 churches, and millions of individual students, families, and supporters across the globe. Our culture of service enables us to form long-lasting and trusted partnerships, while our focus on creativity and innovative solutions empowers our customer communities to thrive.

 

As a Nelnet company, the perks at NBS go beyond our benefits package. You’re part of a community, invested in you as an individual and united by our mission to create opportunities for people where they live, learn and work.

The Account Executive is responsible for managing and growing an established portfolio of higher education institutions throughout the Midwest and Great Lakes region. This is not a prospecting-focused role; rather, the Account Executive partners with existing clients to strengthen relationships, drive retention, identify upsell and cross-sell opportunities, and ensure institutions are maximizing the value of Nelnet Campus Commerce solutions. Success in this role comes from building trusted partnerships, understanding client needs, and delivering long-term value to the campuses we serve.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:
1.    Retain current higher education accounts designated in territory.
2.    Grow existing client base, while identifying upsell and cross sell opportunities.
3.    Work collaboratively with sales leadership to assist with the generation of new business opportunities with current and prospective clients. 
4.    Build positive line of communication (based on mutual respect, trust, integrity, and clear, honest and open dialog) to maintain and enhance relationships with clients.
5.    Ownership of overall client satisfaction by proactively anticipating client needs and maintaining monthly contact with clients to ensure Nelnet Campus Commerce is meeting their needs.
6.    Meet on campus at least one time per year to deliver an annual account review communicating Nelnet’s value and long-range planning objectives. 
7.    Assist in the coordination of sales and product revisions to existing clients.
8.    Expand knowledge base of different ERP systems and how they integrate with Nelnet Campus Commerce solutions.
9.    Work closely across Nelnet Campus Commerce department lines to resolve client related problems and issues.
10.    Develop intimate understanding of client needs and the practical application of Nelnet Campus Commerce solutions on their campus through client interaction.
11.    Advocate for client needs, such as new features, services and programs needed to enhance the level of services and solutions offered by Nelnet Campus Commerce.
12.    Actively participate in the evaluation of new product client requests, creating a business case study in order to justify investment.
13.    Actively participate in the evaluation and prioritization of product solution development, as well as project timing and deployment.
14.    Work closely with technical support to understand the breadth and limitations of the client product solutions.
15.    Coordinate and assist in the creation and distribution of client communications (e.g., upgrades, enhancements, new features, etc.).
16.    Generate, complete and track project and change request forms, documenting these activities in Salesforce.
17.    Leverage relationships to expand Nelnet Campus Commerce solutions utilized by exiting clients.
18.    Attend trade shows, conference and other events as needed to support client communication and engagement.
19.    Gather competitive information to assist in continually evaluating market position.
20.    Assist with the coordination of the Nelnet Campus Commerce Annual User’s Group Meeting.
21.    Facilitate timely communication with clients, sales leadership, operations, implementation and integration teams regarding client related issues.
22.    Review client contracts, maintain contract end dates, and proactively engage the client to extend/review the term and product offering.
23.    Work collaboratively with the BDE , Account Managers, and other departments to develop a strategic customer service plan and to resolve any customer issues.
24.    Consult as necessary and appropriate with Finance in relation to contract issues, pricing, billing, reconciliation issues and bank information.

Travel: Approximately 30% travel. This includes both external travel for client engagement and required internal travel commitments throughout the year, including recurring company meetings, conferences, and leadership events. Candidates should be comfortable with travel requirements that may fluctuate based on business needs. Travel primarily supports clients and partners across the Midwest and Great Lakes regions (including but not limited to Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio).

Candidates must currently reside within the Midwest or Great Lakes region.

EDUCATION: 
Bachelor's degree, or equivalent, preferably in business and/or technology

EXPERIENCE: 
1.    Minimum of 3-5 years of sales and Account Management experience. 
2.    Background in Higher Education market
3.    Experience with billing, payment processing and ecommerce services is helpful.
4.    Experience with commonly utilized ERP systems within Higher Education- Oracle (PeopleSoft, Cloud), Ellucian (Banner, Colleague, Power Campus), Workday, Jenzabar, etc. is preferred.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience selling to, supporting, or managing relationships with colleges, universities, or higher education institutions.
• Understanding of higher education administrative, financial, enrollment, student account, or technology environments.
• Experience with higher education ERP, SIS, payment, or campus technology solutions preferred.

COMPETENCIES – SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/ABILITIES:
1.    Positive, outgoing personality.  
2.    Excellent communication skills with the ability to interact with all levels of a client organization and multiple departments of the institution are essential.  
3.    Initiative, ownership, assertive, open-minded, flexible and adept at conflict resolution 
4.    Conscientious, committed with a high level of integrity.  
5.    Excellent relationship, sales and account management skills.  
6.    Understand both the customer’s business and the Nelnet Campus Commerce product solution in order to generate new sales and to communicate enhancement requirements both internally and externally.  
7.    Ability to promote new services and up-sell into the customer account.
 

Pay range for this role is base salary $80,000-$90,000 annually, depending on experience, with an additional Incentive Compensation Plan.

Our benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, HSA and FSA, generous earned time off, 401K/student loan repayment, life insurance & AD&D insurance, employee assistance program, employee stock purchase program, tuition reimbursement, performance-based incentive pay, short- and long-term disability, and a robust wellness program. Click here to learn more about our benefits: LINK.

Nelnet is committed to providing a welcoming and respectful workplace where all associates have the opportunity to succeed. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we ensure that all qualified applicants are considered for employment. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion/creed, national origin, gender, sex, marital status, age, disability, use of a guide dog or service animal, sexual orientation, military/veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law. We value the unique contributions of every team member and believe that a positive work environment benefits everyone.  

Qualified individuals with disabilities who require reasonable accommodations in order to apply or compete for positions at Nelnet may request such accommodations by contacting Corporate Recruiting at 402-486-5725 or [email protected].

Nelnet is a Drug Free and Tobacco Free Workplace.

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