At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic conversations with universities to drive impactful technology transformations.
- Company: Join Ellucian, a leader in higher education innovation and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days leave, wellness support, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values innovation and community support.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in education by connecting tech to student success.
- Qualifications: 7+ years in consultative sales or SaaS, with a passion for education.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
This job is with Ellucian, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community.
About Ellucian
Ellucian powers innovation for higher education, partnering with approximately 3,000 customers across 50 countries, serving more than 21 million students. Ellucian's AI-powered platform drives efficiency, personalised experiences, and strengthened engagement for all students, faculty and staff. These solutions and services span the entire student lifecycle, including data-rich tools for student recruitment, enrollment, and retention to workforce analytics, fundraising, and alumni engagement.
About the Opportunity
At Ellucian, we're transforming how higher education experiences technology, helping universities and colleges realise the full value of modernisation. As a Strategic Business Advisor (SBA) within the Solutions Sales Organisation, you will serve as a trusted advisor to higher education institutions across the UK, helping them translate strategic priorities into measurable business outcomes enabled by Ellucian's SaaS and AI solutions. This is a strategic, consultative role focused on connecting institutional ambition to operational and financial impact.
Where You'll Make an Impact
- Lead executive discovery conversations with institutional stakeholders to understand strategic priorities, sector pressures, operational challenges, and investment goals, translating these into measurable business outcomes.
- Develop value frameworks, business cases, and ROI models that help institutions quantify the impact of SaaS modernisation, process improvement, and AI-enabled innovation.
- Partner across roles to align Ellucian's solutions with institutional priorities, ensuring conversations focus on outcomes, transformation, and long-term value rather than product features alone.
- Shape compelling narratives for executive audiences that connect technology investment to student experience, institutional agility, operational efficiency, and better decision-making.
- Support opportunity strategy with Account Executives, including qualification, tender support, executive presentation preparation, and customer-facing strategy sessions.
- Bring together commercial, strategic, and sector insight to help institutions navigate complex change programmes and build confidence in their transformation roadmap.
- Act as the voice of the customer by capturing market and institutional insight from the UK sector and feeding it back into Ellucian's product, messaging, and services strategies.
- Represent Ellucian externally through sector events, conferences, customer forums, and regional user communities, helping position Ellucian as a thought partner in higher education transformation and value realisation.
What You Will Bring
- Proven consultative sales or solution experience (7+ years) within enterprise SaaS, professional services, or higher education transformation.
- Strong understanding of higher education business operations, with knowledge of areas such as admissions, student records, enrolment, finance, HR/payroll, and alumni or advancement.
- Experience building ROI models, business cases, or value realisation frameworks for senior stakeholders and executive decision-makers.
- Strong communication and storytelling skills, with the ability to engage senior leaders such as Vice-Chancellors, Pro Vice-Chancellors, Registrars, Finance Directors, and CIOs.
- Ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams, bringing together strategic, commercial, business, and technical perspectives.
- Confidence discussing data, automation, and AI concepts, and translating technical capabilities into practical institutional impact.
- Experience navigating complex buying cycles, procurement processes, and multi-stakeholder decision-making environments.
- A genuine passion for education, innovation, and helping institutions deliver on their mission.
What makes #Ellucianlife
- 25 days annual leave plus 8 public holidays
- Choice to opt in for private Medical and Dental cover.
- Competitive pension plan.
- Thrive Flex Lifestyle Account (LSA) that allows you to contribute towards your health, financial or learning interests
- 5 charitable days to support the community that supports us
- Wellness: Headspace (mental health), Wellbeats (virtual fitness classes), RethinkCare - caregiver support
- Diversity and inclusion programs that promote employee resource groups such as: Women in Technology, Pride and Go Green to name a few.
- Parental leave covering Maternity, Paternity and Adoption.
- Employee referral bonuses to encourage the addition of great new people to the team
- We Foster a learning culture with: Educational Assistance Program, Professional development opportunities, LinkedIn Learning
Senior Strategic Business Advisor employer: Ellucian
At Ellucian, we pride ourselves on being an inclusive employer that champions diversity and innovation in higher education. Our collaborative work culture fosters professional growth through extensive learning opportunities, competitive benefits, and a commitment to employee well-being, making us an ideal place for passionate individuals to thrive while making a meaningful impact in the sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Strategic Business Advisor
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the higher education sector and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching Ellucian's values and recent projects. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their mission of transforming higher education. Make it clear that you’re not just looking for a job, but a chance to make an impact!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills! When discussing your past experiences, frame them in a way that highlights your consultative approach and ability to drive strategic outcomes. Remember, it’s all about connecting your journey to the value you can bring to Ellucian.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Ellucian team and contributing to their mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Strategic Business Advisor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Strategic Business Advisor role. Highlight your experience in consultative sales and SaaS solutions, and show how your skills align with Ellucian's mission to transform higher education.
Showcase Your Storytelling Skills:Since this role involves engaging with senior leaders, it's crucial to demonstrate your storytelling abilities. Use examples from your past experiences to illustrate how you've successfully communicated complex ideas and driven strategic outcomes.
Highlight Your Passion for Education:Ellucian values a genuine passion for education and innovation. In your application, share why you're excited about the opportunity to help institutions achieve their goals and how you can contribute to their transformation journey.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This ensures your application gets to the right people and shows your enthusiasm for joining the Ellucian team. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ellucian
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Ellucian's solutions and how they impact higher education. Familiarise yourself with their AI-powered platform and be ready to discuss how it can drive efficiency and engagement in institutions.
✨Craft Your Value Narrative
Prepare to articulate how you can connect institutional ambitions to measurable outcomes. Think about examples from your past where you've successfully built ROI models or business cases that resonate with senior stakeholders.
✨Engage with Executive Insights
Be ready to lead conversations with institutional leaders. Show that you understand their strategic priorities and operational challenges, and come equipped with insights on how Ellucian's solutions can address these issues.
✨Show Your Passion for Education
Let your genuine enthusiasm for education and innovation shine through. Share stories that highlight your commitment to helping institutions achieve their goals and how you envision being a part of their transformation journey.
