Hybrid Sales Specialist

at Pearson VUE

• Job title: Sales Specialist
• Job type: Full Time
• Experience level: Mid level, Senior
• Salary: Not specified
• Degree requirement: No Education Requirement
• Location requirements: Hybrid, Colombo, Sri Lanka

About the role

• Sales Lead spearheading vocational education initiatives in Sri Lanka. Driving sales growth and building partnerships within the education and skills ecosystem.

Responsibilities

• Drive go‑to‑market (GTM) sales strategy aligned to vocational skills and higher education opportunities in Sri Lanka.
• Analyze local market dynamics, competitor activity, regulatory landscapes, and technology trends across skills and higher education.
• Map and engage the ecosystem of institutions, training providers, government initiatives, and private sector partners.
• Identify and penetrate untapped market segments in collaboration with colleagues and the reporting manager.
• Position Pearson ELS solutions effectively by understanding competitive landscapes and articulating clear value propositions and USPs.
• Build and maintain a strong pipeline of qualified leads through outbound outreach, networking, industry events, and inbound inquiries.
• Use CRM tools and sales data to track engagement, manage pipelines, and prioritize follow‑ups.
• Establish relationships with key decision‑makers and influencers, including deans, department heads, program directors, and procurement teams.
• Conduct consultative discovery conversations to understand institutional goals, pain points, and operational constraints.
• Demonstrate deep product knowledge across curriculum, technology, accreditation, and learner outcomes.
• Tailor proposals and presentations aligned to strategic priorities, regulatory requirements, and budget considerations.
• Position offerings as solutions supporting workforce readiness, employability, digital transformation, and lifelong learning.
• Deliver engaging product demonstrations, workshops, and webinars for educators, administrators, and institutional stakeholders.
• Showcase success stories, pilot programs, and case studies to build confidence and adoption.
• Act as a subject‑matter expert by staying current on pedagogy, digital learning tools, and industry certifications.
• Prepare and present proposals, pricing, and contracts in collaboration with internal Pearson teams.
• Manage objections, stakeholder alignment, and negotiations through to deal closure.
• Oversee the full sales cycle from initial contact to signed agreement and handover to implementation teams.
• Maintain long‑term client relationships, acting as a trusted advisor and primary point of contact post‑sale.
• Identify opportunities for upsell and cross‑sell as partner needs evolve.
• Work closely with product, marketing, operations, stakeholder relations, progression & recognition, and government relations teams as required.
• Share market intelligence and feedback to inform GTM strategy and product development.
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory, ethical, privacy, and accessibility requirements.
• Track performance metrics, report on pipeline and revenue, and apply insights from win/loss analysis to improve outcomes.

Requirements

• You bring proven experience in sales, ideally within the education or skills sector, paired with a strong understanding of vocational education and training systems.
• You have a consistent track record of achieving or exceeding sales targets in a consultative selling environment.
• You’re confident engaging senior stakeholders and decision‑makers, building trust and long‑term partnerships.
• You thrive both independently and collaboratively in a metrics‑driven, fast‑evolving market.
• You are comfortable using CRM tools, data insights, and Microsoft Office Suite to manage performance and pipeline.
• You hold a valid driver’s license and have access to a vehicle, with flexibility to travel as required.

Benefits

• The opportunity to play a meaningful role in shaping vocational education and workforce readiness in Sri Lanka.
• Exposure to a diverse ecosystem of education partners, government initiatives, and industry stakeholders.
• A chance to represent innovative Pearson ELS solutions that impact learners, institutions, and employers.
• Ongoing professional development, internal collaboration, and growth within the global Pearson organization.