At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive digital transformation in higher education by partnering with leading institutions across the Nordics, ME, and Africa.
- Company: Join Adobe, a global leader in creativity and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with a focus on creativity and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on student success and institutional transformation with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Proven sales experience in complex environments and strong relationship-building skills.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
The Opportunity
Higher Education is undergoing profound transformation, driven by the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence, changing student expectations, growing pressure on institutional finances, and the need to equip graduates with future-ready digital skills. We are seeking a strategic and consultative Account Executive to partner with leading universities, universities of applied sciences, research institutions, and sector organisations across the Nordics, Middle East and Africa. This individual will help institutions accelerate digital transformation, enhance teaching and learning, improve student outcomes, and foster creativity and innovation at scale.
The successful candidate will demonstrate strong enterprise sales capabilities, a proven ability to navigate complex environments, and experience leading cross-functional teams to deliver measurable value for customers.
What You'll Do
- Build trusted relationships with senior university leaders, including Presidents, Rectors, Vice Chancellors, CIOs, Chief Digital Officers, Pro-Vice Chancellors, Deans, and Teaching & Learning leaders.
- Develop and implement account strategies that align institutional priorities with Adobe's vision for creativity, digital literacy, AI adoption, and student success.
- Drive growth within existing accounts while identifying and developing new opportunities across faculties, departments, libraries, research centres, and central services.
- Position Adobe as a strategic partner in institutional transformation initiatives, including digital skills development, AI readiness, curriculum innovation, employability, and student engagement.
- Lead complex, multi-stakeholder sales cycles and facilitate executive-level discussions focused on outcomes, impact, and value realisation.
- Collaborate closely with Customer Success Managers, Solution Consultants, Enterprise Architects, Digital Strategists, Marketing, and Partner teams to deliver exceptional customer experiences.
- Develop compelling business cases and value frameworks that demonstrate impact on student outcomes, staff productivity, institutional efficiency, and graduates employability.
- Partner with sector bodies, strategic alliances, and ecosystem partners to strengthen Adobe's presence and influence across the Higher Education community.
- Support thought leadership activities including conferences, executive forums, webinars, customer showcases, and sector events.
What You Need to Succeed
- Proven enterprise software sales experience with a track record of securing complex, multi-year strategic agreements.
- Experience selling into Higher Education, Public Sector, Research, or other complex consultative environments is highly desirable.
- Demonstrated success engaging senior executive partners and building consensus across diverse groups of decision-makers.
- Strong understanding of digital transformation, AI adoption, workforce readiness, teaching and learning innovation, or student experience initiatives.
- Proven ability to develop executive relationships and influence institutional strategy.
- Experience working effectively across cross-functional teams including solution consulting, customer success, marketing, and partners.
- Strong commercial competence with a history of achieving or exceeding revenue objectives.
- Management skills.
- Excellent presentation, communication, negotiation, and fluent English language skills; (Arabic an advantage).
- Ability to travel across the Nordics, Middle East and Africa as required.
Preferred Experience
- Experience working with universities, research institutions, or education technology providers.
- Understanding of the EMEA Higher Education landscape (specifically Nordics, ME and Africa), procurement frameworks, and sector priorities.
About Adobe
Adobe empowers everyone to create through innovative platforms and tools that unleash creativity, productivity and personalized customer experiences. Adobe’s industry-leading offerings including Adobe Acrobat Studio, Adobe Express, Adobe Firefly, Creative Cloud, Adobe Experience Platform, Adobe Experience Manager, and GenStudio enable people and businesses to turn ideas into impact, powered by AI and driven by human ingenuity.
Our 30,000+ employees worldwide are creating the future and raising the bar as we drive the next decade of growth. We’re on a mission to hire the very best and believe in creating a company culture where all employees are empowered to make an impact. At Adobe, we believe that great ideas can come from anywhere in the organization. The next big idea could be yours. Let’s Adobe together.
At Adobe, we believe in creating a company culture where all employees are empowered to make an impact. Learn more about Adobe life, including our values and culture, focus on people, purpose and community, Adobe for All, comprehensive benefits programs, the stories we tell, the customers we serve, and how you can help us advance our mission of empowering everyone to create.
Adobe is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on gender, race or color, ethnicity or national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.
Adobe aims to make our Careers website and recruiting process accessible to any and all users. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation to navigate our website or complete the application process, email accommodations@adobe.com or call +1 408-536-3015.
AI Use Guidelines for Interviews: Our interviews are designed to reflect your own skills and thinking. The use of AI or recording tools during live interviews is not permitted unless explicitly invited by the interviewer or approved in advance as part of a reasonable accommodation. If these tools are used inappropriately or in a way that misrepresents your work, your application may not move forward in the process.
At Adobe, we empower employees to innovate with AI — and we look for candidates eager to do the same. As part of the hiring experience, we provide clear guidance on where AI is encouraged during the process and where it’s restricted during live interviews. See how we think about AI in the hiring experience.
Summary Location: London; Reading Type: Full time
Account Executive, Higher Education | Adobe for Education Sales Specialist (Nordics, ME, Africa) in London employer: Adobe Systems
Adobe is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and empowerment, allowing employees to make a meaningful impact in the Higher Education sector. With comprehensive benefits, a commitment to diversity and inclusion, and ample opportunities for professional growth, employees are encouraged to collaborate across teams and contribute to transformative projects that enhance teaching and learning. Located in vibrant cities like London and Reading, Adobe offers a dynamic work environment where creativity thrives and every voice is valued.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Account Executive, Higher Education | Adobe for Education Sales Specialist (Nordics, ME, Africa) in London
✨Leverage Your Network
In sales and business development, who you know can often be as important as what you know. Get involved with local networking events or industry meetups to connect with key players. Don't be shy—share your passion for the field and let folks know you're on the lookout for opportunities!
✨Show Your Skills Through Real-World Results
When targeting a full-time role like Account Executive, Higher Education | Adobe for Education Sales Specialist (Nordics, ME, Africa) at Adobe Systems, presenting tangible results from your previous sales experience can set you apart. Bring along case studies or examples of how you've closed deals or expanded accounts, and don't forget to showcase your problem-solving prowess. It’s all about quantifying your success!
✨Engage with Sales Communities
Dive deep into online sales communities, like Sales Hacker or LinkedIn groups dedicated to sales professionals. Engaging in discussions and sharing insights can boost your visibility and might just put you on the radar of hiring managers looking for fresh talent in business development.
✨Direct Applications Matter
While we all know the online application route, consider sending direct applications to companies you admire, including Adobe Systems. Tailor your message to explain why you’re drawn to them and how you can contribute as a Account Executive, Higher Education | Adobe for Education Sales Specialist (Nordics, ME, Africa). Sometimes, a personal touch can grab attention faster than a generic application!
We think you need these skills to ace Account Executive, Higher Education | Adobe for Education Sales Specialist (Nordics, ME, Africa) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Those Sales Skills:In your CV and cover letter, highlight any previous sales or business development experience you have. Use numbers and examples to showcase your achievements – did you exceed sales targets or bring in new clients? Make those accomplishments shine!
Tailor Your Message for Adobe Systems:When writing your cover letter, make sure to tailor your message specifically for Adobe Systems. Show that you know the company’s mission and how your skills align with their goals in the sales landscape. This personalised touch will grab their attention!
Keep It Professional Yet Engaging:Sales is all about relationships, so while you want to maintain professionalism in your application, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through. Engage the reader and demonstrate your enthusiastic approach to sales and business development!
Proof of Performance:Include any relevant certifications or training you’ve undertaken in sales or negotiation tactics. If you’ve attended workshops or courses, list these to showcase your commitment to professional development. This extra touch can set you apart from the competition!
How to prepare for a job interview at Adobe Systems
✨Know Your Sales Methodologies
Brush up on popular sales methodologies like SPIN Selling or Challenger Sales. Being able to discuss these techniques and how you've applied them will show Adobe Systems that you understand the role and can hit the ground running in the sales game.
✨Demonstrate Your Deal-Making Skills
Prepare to share stories from your past experiences where you closed deals, overcame objections, or started new client relationships. We want to show Adobe Systems that you’re not just about numbers but also about building lasting connections in business development.
✨Prepare for Role-Play Scenarios
In a full-time sales interview, don’t be surprised if they throw in a role-play exercise to test your pitching skills. Practising how you would pitch a product or handle an objection will help us shine in this simulation—think of it like a dress rehearsal for your future sales calls!
✨Align Your Goals with the Company’s Vision
Take a moment to reflect on how your career ambitions align with Adobe Systems’s objectives. When we articulate how our personal growth ties in with the company’s goals, it shows commitment and a genuine interest in contributing to their success.
