Sales Development Executive

Role: Sales Development Executive

Location: USA / North America

Job type: Full time, Remote

Why QS?

At QS, we believe that work should empower you. That’s why we foster a flexible working environment that encourages every employee to own their career whilst flourishing personally and professionally. Our company values underpin everything we do – we collaborate, respect and support each other.

It’s our mission to empower motivated people around the world to fulfil their potential through higher education, ensuring that everyone has access to opportunities that change lives.

Our diversity makes us stronger. By sharing our experiences, we learn from one another and achieve more together, driving progress across the sector.

At QS, you’ll be responsible for implementing real change in the international higher education landscape. You’ll take on meaningful challenges that see a positive impact across the business and the wider sector.

We’re confident you’ll feel right at home here. QS was named as one of Newsweek’s Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces® in the UK (October 2023), recognising the respect, trust and appreciation that drive our culture every day. And as a gold-accredited Investors in People organisation – putting us among the top 28% of workplaces globally – it’s official: QS is a place where everyone can thrive.

As a Sales Development Executive, this is what you’ll be doing:

We are seeking a Sales Development Executive to support our work in the Higher Education sector across North America. You will bring experience from a U.S. university, a vendor serving the higher education space, or a relevant association/regulatory body. 

In this role, you will support our North America clients by helping to deliver a range of operational and consultative sales activities. Through structured outreach, relationship management, and diligent follow-up, you will help contribute to revenue growth and ensure a positive experience for our university partners and clients. 

Role Responsibilities 

• Support the wider sales team in developing and nurturing the pipeline for digital products and events across North America. 

• Manage a small quota of renewal and new-business clients, contributing to individual and team revenue targets. 

• Maintain accurate and detailed records of client communications and activities in our CRM to ensure a personalized and consistent client experience. 

• Collaborate closely with colleagues across teams by sharing client insights and working together to enhance our approach to customer engagement. 

• Assist with monitoring key sales metrics and reporting activities to support team decision-making around pipeline and performance. 

• Participate in outreach campaigns, prospecting new clients, and supporting acquisition efforts under the guidance of senior team members. 

• Carry out additional duties that align with the purpose and needs of the role. 

Beneficial Key Skills  

• Experience within the Higher Education space across the Americas region (university environment, vendor, association, or regulatory body)  

• Understanding of U.S. university structures and familiarity with roles such as Admissions Directors, Deans, Recruitment leads, etc. (existing networks are a plus but not essential at junior level). 

Skills Required 

• Prior experience in sales, business development, admissions, or recruitment. Exposure to sales processes such as pipeline management, client communication, forecasting, and account support. 

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree beneficial but not essential. 

• Comfortable working with CRM systems and confident using data to inform tasks. 

• Clear and professional communication skills. 

• Competent with the Microsoft Office suite. 

• Willingness to travel domestically for conferences and client engagements when needed. 

• A proactive, self-motivated approach and a desire to grow within a sales environment. 

Please note, if you don't meet all the criteria but believe you have the skills and passion to thrive in this role, we encourage you to apply.

So, who are we and what do we do?

QS is the world leader in higher education services, analytics, insights and intelligence. From consultancy to student mobility, academic partnerships to branding solutions, our services power both institutional and individual success.

We’re behind the world’s most widely read university rankings (Meltwater 2023). Our QS World University Rankings® reach hundreds of millions, shaping decisions and guiding futures.

Since launching in 1990, our impact and influence have only grown. Today, we work with more than 2,000 of the world’s leading higher education institutions, over 12,000 employers, and governments seeking change and socioeconomic development through higher education.

Join QS and you’ll join an 800-strong community of problem-solvers, creators, collaborators and change-makers based in 40+ countries and 11
international offices, including Australia, Malaysia, India, Romania, Singapore, France, Germany, the USA and our headquarters in London.

With every talented new hire, business acquisition and bold initiative, we’re strengthening our reach and delivering even greater value to institutions and learners worldwide. Are you ready to shape the future of higher education?

We take investing in our people very seriously.

Outside of the standard benefits we also offer resources to allow professional growth and wellness initiatives to nurture a healthy mindset:

• Free subscription to the Calm App – the #1 app for sleep, meditation, and relaxation
• A focus on welfare which is led by our global wellness team, with mental health first aiders globally
• Access to a variety of diversity and inclusion initiatives and groups
• Strong recognition and reward programs – including a peer-to-peer recognition platform, quarterly and annual QS Applaud Awards, Connect with your Career annual PD event
• Support for volunteering and study leave
  
• Free subscription to LinkedIn learning – with over 5000 courses and programmes at your fingertips 
• Options to join our outstanding global Mentorship programme

Like what you’ve heard? Great, apply now!

As a candidate, we know the application and interview process can be daunting and so it’s important that you have a great experience with us. Our dedicated Talent Team will work hard to ensure you are fully informed at all stages and you are really excited by this opportunity to do meaningful work in the education space.

Equal opportunities 

QS Quacquarelli Symonds is proud to be a fair and equal organisation where everyone has the same opportunity to achieve their full potential, irrespective of their background or personal attributes. We celebrate our diversity and believe through sharing our experiences we can learn from one another, be stronger together, and enable our business to thrive. 

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