Lead, Sales (Director, Sales)

Director, Sales (Lead, Sales)Higher Education

Location - Noida (Hybrid)

Extensive in-country travel; Global travel as required

About the Role

This is an opportunity to help redefine the future of education at scale.

You'll join a mission driven organization at a pivotal moment of transformation, where your leadership will directly influence growth, innovation, customer impact, and the evolution of learning experiences for educators and students around the world.

As Director, Sales, you will lead a team responsible for driving revenue growth while helping accelerate our transformation from a traditional print focused business to a modern, digitally led learning solutions organization. This role requires a commercially minded leader who thrives in fast moving environments, embraces innovation, and knows how to inspire teams through change.

You will lead a team of sales professionals across multiple regions within India, helping customers navigate evolving teaching & learning needs through digital platforms, courseware, AI enabled solutions, services and content ecosystems.

This is a role for a builder, coach, strategist & operator. Someone who can deliver results today while helping shape the future of the business.

What You'll Do

Drive Revenue Growth

• Deliver and exceed annual revenue targets assigned for India



• Execute strategic sales plans focused on customer acquisition, retention, and expansion



• Identify new growth opportunities within digital learning, institutional partnerships, workforce learning, and emerging markets



• Use data and market insights to improve forecasting accuracy and pipeline management

Lead Commercial Transformation

• Champion the shift from transactional print sales to consultative digital solution selling



• Help sales teams evolve their customer approach, sales strategies, and value articulation



• Drive adoption of new technologies, sales tools, CRM discipline, and modern selling methodologies



• Partner cross functionally with Product, Marketing, Customer Success, and Strategy teams to deliver integrated customer solutions

Inspire and Develop Teams

• Lead, coach, and develop a high performing sales organization through periods of change and transformation



• Build a culture of accountability, innovation, collaboration, and customer centricity



• Develop talent pipelines and succession plans while strengthening sales capabilities across the organization



• Create an environment where people feel motivated, supported, and empowered to grow

Build Strategic Customer Relationships

• Develop strong relationships with senior stakeholders across higher education institutions, distributors, channel partners, and government organizations



• Lead complex negotiations and large-scale strategic opportunities



• Serve as a trusted advisor to customers navigating digital transformation within education

What We're Looking For

Required Experience

• 15+ years of progressive sales leadership experience, preferably within EdTech, SaaS, digital learning, publishing, higher education or technology sectors



• Candidates with an MBA from a Tier 1 management institute preferred



• Proven track record of consistently achieving or exceeding revenue targets



• Proven track record of delivering sales efficiency & operational excellence



• Experience leading teams through significant business transformation or digital change initiatives



• Strong experience managing geographically dispersed sales teams



• Demonstrated success in consultative or solution based selling environments



• Experience transitioning customers from legacy products to digital platforms or subscription models



• Familiarity with CRM systems, sales analytics & pipeline management tools



• Experience working in matrixed global organizations



• Passion for education, learning innovation, and improving outcomes for learners

Leadership Capabilities

• Exceptional coaching & people leadership skills



• Ability to influence at all levels of the organization



• Strong commercial acumen and strategic thinking



• High resilience and adaptability in evolving markets



• Ability to balance executional excellence with long term strategic vision

Who we are:

At Pearson, our purpose is simple: to help people realize the life they imagine through learning. We believe that every learning opportunity is a chance for a personal breakthrough. We are the world's lifelong learning company. For us, learning isn't just what we do. It's who we are. To learn more: We are Pearson.

Pearson is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a member of E-Verify. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit and business need. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status or any other group protected by law. We actively seek qualified candidates who are protected veterans and individuals with disabilities as defined under VEVRAA and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act.

If you are an individual with a disability and are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our career site as a result of your disability, you may request reasonable accommodations by emailing [Confidential Information].

Job: Sales

Job Family: GOTOMARKET

Organization: Higher Education

Schedule: FULL_TIME

Workplace Type: Hybrid

Req ID: 24402