Remote Business Development Consultant @ Nelnet

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 Higher Ed Business Development Consultant’s primary focus is to acquire new customers, assist in the acquisition of new customers, and cross sell existing customers through a consultative sales and relationship building approach, using excellent customer service. This position has minimal travel with nearly all communication occurring via phone, e-mail, and internet-based seminars/meetings, etc. This position will also have responsibility and focus on selling our international payment processing solutions.

Colorado Candidates: Pay for this role is $20.00-$26.00 an hour. In addition to the hourly rate, this role is eligible for Earned Incentive Compensation based on specific performance metrics.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Collaborate with Sales and Marketing on new business initiatives.
2. Create proposals for targeted prospects or existing customers.
3. Drive initiatives to former customer segments as well as current customer segments.
4. Conduct effective contract, price, and service delivery negotiations.
5. Close deals in a highly competitive, consultative selling environment.
6. Provide expertise and advice to potential prospects and current customers regarding product and service offerings.
7. Use Salesforce CRM track inside sales activities and to maintain records of contacts, accounts, leads, opportunities, tasks, etc.
8. Up-sell to existing customers, providing additional product knowledge on new products and services.
9. Cold call and generate qualified sales leads.
10. Share information gathered from current and prospect customers as to needs, issues, and ideas to improve current products/services or to assist in potentially developing new products/services.
11. Maintain an understanding of market conditions/trends, competitor services, as well as internal knowledge of services/products.
12. Forecast and prepare sales plans to achieve sales goals.

EDUCATION: 

Bachelor’s Degree in business, communications, marketing or a related field or a combination of education and related experience.

EXPERIENCE: 

• 1-3 years of experience in sales, marketing, or customer service in the higher ed space.
• Experience creating meaningful conversation and relationships with higher ed institutions over the phone.
• Proven track record of achieving goals in a fast paced, metrics-driven environment.
• Customer service, call center, and prior sales experience a plus.
• Experience presenting via the web and in-person to both small and large groups.
• Experience in education or payment industry sales (particularly with technology and service sales) a plus.

COMPETENCIES – SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/ABILITIES:

1. Exceptional communicator who is an excellent team member, thrives in a fluid environment, is a self-starter, and is goal driven and curious.
2. Proven ability in creating connections/relationships with higher ed institutions to meet their needs.
3. Ability to initiate high-level interactive business conversations with decision makers.
4. Ability to Identify and develop strategies to overcome obstacles in the prospect’s or current customer’s decision making process.
5. Ability to build a strong pipeline, close new business and expand relationships with new and existing customers.
6. Results oriented, with the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced work environment.
7. Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills while displaying a high energy level and positive attitude.
8. Excellent time management and organizational skills.
9. Self-driven and independent with a strong work ethic and the ability to take direction well.
10. Team-oriented.
11. Articulate with the ability to establish rapport quickly with customers and maintain long-term relationships.
12. Willingness to engage in direct sales and customer calling.
13. Strong computer skills including sales management/data management software, presentation software, web hosting applications, and MS Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).
14. Technical, with the ability to rapidly learn and understand new technologies.
15. Creative decision making and analytical skills with the proven ability to think on feet and arrive at solutions.
16. Strong follow-up skills and accuracy.

Colorado Candidates: Pay for this role is $20.00-$26.00 an hour