Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead sales strategies and build relationships in the Higher Education sector.
- Company: Join Cisco, a diverse and inclusive tech leader focused on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Dynamic team culture with opportunities for personal and professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in Higher Education while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in Higher Education sales and strong relationship-building skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 70000 £ per year.
Meet the Team
The Cisco team is a safe and inclusive environment where hard-working people develop their skills and are recognized for the phenomenal things they do. We celebrate success, learn from our failures and trust each other. We embrace diversity of background and opinion in everything we do. Cisco is a customer‑centric company and we pride ourselves on the value we give to our customers and the partnerships we nurture in our channel. Performance is measured by business outcomes achieved (which are the results achieved on role expectations and the positive impact made on the team), and how an individual executes based on our Guiding Principles (Think Really Big, Play to Win and Drive Durable Growth). We bring innovation and thought leadership, become our clients’ advocates within Cisco, and are creative in building partnerships to deliver the outcomes they need.
Your Impact
We are looking for a Higher Education Sector Team Lead whose responsibilities will include:
- Develop and implement Higher Education vision, sales strategies and plans to exceed sales targets
- Analyze market trends, identify opportunities, and develop action plans to capitalize on them
- Forecast sales, manage budgets, and monitor performance against targets, prioritizing key pursuits
In this multifaceted role, you will also be responsible for:
Client Relationship Management
- Build and maintain relationships with key Higher Education bodies
- Build and maintain Higher Education Cisco User Communities
- Build commercial strategies to align with the Higher Education Market
- Develop strong Cisco Partner alignment and GTM plans
Team Leadership and Management
- Recruit, hire, train, and manage a team of sales representatives
- Provide coaching, mentoring, and performance management to sales team members
- Set clear expectations, goals, and objectives for the sales team
- Motivate and inspire the sales team to achieve peak performance
Sales Execution and Performance
- Oversee and actively participate in key sales activities, including client meetings, presentations, and negotiations
- Monitor sales performance, identify areas for improvement, and implement corrective actions
- Ensure the sales team adheres to company policies, procedures, and ethical standards
Minimum Qualifications
- Deep sector knowledge in the Higher Education and Research Market
- A credible network in the Higher Education Market
- A track record showing an ability to influence C‑suite executives in the Higher Education Market
- Proven track record in thought leadership in the Higher Education Sector, with focus on digital transformation, technology trends and innovation
- Solid understanding of Cisco’s portfolio and selling Cisco solutions at the C‑Suite level within customers
Preferred Qualifications
- 4+ years’ experience within the Higher Education Sector
- Experienced in managing complex sales cycles, strong skills in managing multiple internal and external stakeholders, drive demand generation, and develop business relationships
- Strong technical and business interest/knowledge with complimentary skills to understand the customers’ business drivers and how technology plays an important role
- Demonstrate the vital skills to negotiate challenges and solutions with peers, partners and customers using a win/win philosophy
Cisco is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis. Cisco will consider for employment, on a case by case basis, qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Account Executive - Higher Education employer: Cisco Systems
Contact Detail:
Cisco Systems Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Account Executive - Higher Education
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the Higher Education sector. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. The more connections you make, the better your chances of landing that dream job!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio or a presentation that highlights your achievements and how you’ve driven results in previous roles. When you get the chance to meet potential employers, let your work speak for itself!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Before any interviews, do some mock sessions with friends or mentors. Focus on articulating your experience in the Higher Education market and how you can bring value to Cisco. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing applications come directly from candidates who are genuinely interested in joining us. It shows initiative and enthusiasm, which are qualities we value at StudySmarter!
We think you need these skills to ace Account Executive - Higher Education
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Account Executive role. Highlight your experience in the Higher Education sector and how it aligns with our goals at StudySmarter. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use numbers and specific examples to demonstrate how you've exceeded sales targets or built strong client relationships. We love seeing results!
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone who fits into our inclusive and diverse culture, so don’t be afraid to show us who you are and what makes you unique!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cisco Systems
✨Know Your Higher Education Landscape
Before the interview, dive deep into the current trends and challenges in the Higher Education sector. Familiarise yourself with key players, market dynamics, and how Cisco's solutions can address these needs. This will not only show your expertise but also your genuine interest in the role.
✨Showcase Your Relationship-Building Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully built and maintained relationships in previous roles. Highlight specific instances where you influenced C-suite executives or developed partnerships that led to successful outcomes. This is crucial for demonstrating your fit for a client-centric role.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Experience
Be ready to discuss your experience in leading teams, especially in sales environments. Share stories about how you've motivated your team, set clear goals, and achieved targets. This will help illustrate your capability to manage and inspire others effectively.
✨Align with Cisco’s Guiding Principles
Familiarise yourself with Cisco's Guiding Principles: Think Really Big, Play to Win, and Drive Durable Growth. Prepare to discuss how your personal values and work ethic align with these principles, and provide examples of how you've embodied them in your past roles.