Job Summary
CDW is looking for a new Account Director specialising in the Education space to join our team in the South.
The purpose of the Account Director role is to establish and maintain strong relationships with key clients, understanding their business needs and objectives to provide tailored IT solutions. The role develops and implements comprehensive account strategies that maximise client satisfaction and retention whilst driving revenue and profitability, and holds overall commercial accountability, viability and profitability of a deal.
The Account Director supports business objectives through:
- Revenue growth
- Customer retention
- Strategic alignment
- Market insights
What you will do
- Develop sales strategies, conduct sales campaigns, and lead negotiations for long‑term contracts within the Education space.
- Manage strategic accounts, develop and implement account plans and objectives to achieve sales targets and client goals.
- Own gross profit targets and forecasts, maintain accurate sales forecasts and report on account performance, tracking KPIs.
- Engage regularly with customers to build relationships and understand needs.
- Lead virtual teams of sales, support, solution, technical specialists and pre‑sales co‑workers.
- Act as the key interface between the customer and all relevant internal divisions.
- Lead strategic customer engagements (services, transformation, multi‑capability, complex deals).
- Be accountable for overall customer experience.
- Lead whitespace opportunities to scale revenue.
- Hold overall accountability for Bid/No Bid decisions.
- Build new business relationships leveraging existing industry contacts.
- Play an integral role in new business pitches.
- Lead strategic vendor relationships for allocated customer accounts.
- Work in alignment with relevant vendors and partners.
- Stay up‑to‑date with industry trends and the competitive landscape.
What we expect of you
- Achievement of revenue and profit targets.
- Growth and retention of designated accounts.
- New business development.
- Blend of sales across technology and services.
Preferred skills, experience, and qualities needed
- Experience working in or selling to high‑growth tech companies or digital native enterprises.
- Proven track record of exceeding sales targets in complex, consultative sales environments.
- Experience leading virtual teams across an organisation.
- Experience influencing and supporting customer decision‑making up to and including C‑Level.
- Experience executing against defined strategy for account territories in line with organisational goals.
- Experience developing and executing against strategic account plans.
- Strong understanding of enterprise‑level technology trends.
- Comfortable with digital tools, CRM systems (e.g. Salesforce) and virtual collaboration platforms.
- Experience in the Public Sector, including tender processes.
- Understanding of current and emerging technology trends and the ability to articulate their impact.
- Ability to articulate and discuss ESG principles and how technology can drive sustainable outcomes.
Skills
- Strong opportunity qualification and forecasting skills.
- Strong business and financial acumen with the ability to connect technology to business, technical, operational and financial goals.
- Strong executive presence and ability to influence senior stakeholders.
- Resiliency, flexibility and agility – ability to execute while managing ambiguity.
- Strong relationship management skills (stakeholder management, building strong customer partnerships and conflict resolution).
Competencies
- Communication skills – ability to combine communication, negotiation and storytelling skills with technology consulting experience to convey complex solutions clearly and successfully.
- Customer‑centric mindset – deep customer empathy, industry knowledge and leadership to drive customer‑centric initiatives and deliver value.
- Relationship management – stakeholder engagement, partnership building and conflict resolution to foster trust and long‑term success.
- Strategic and critical thinking – insights and analytical skills to align customer objectives with broader business goals, anticipating opportunities and challenges.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in business, technology or a related field.
- Certifications in sales methodologies (e.g. MEDDPICC, Challenger).
CDW is committed to being an AI‑fluent organization. We welcome curiosity, a learner’s mindset and willingness to engage with evolving technology.
CDW is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other basis prohibited by state and local law.
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