At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead Purple's global education growth strategy and drive revenue in complex environments.
- Company: Join a dynamic tech company focused on transforming educational experiences.
- Benefits: Executive salary, hybrid work, generous holiday, and leadership development opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of education with innovative technology and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: 7-10+ years in commercial roles within higher education or related markets.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with flexible working arrangements.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
We are seeking an accomplished and visionary Vice President, Education – International to lead Purple's growth strategy across the global education landscape. This senior, quota-carrying commercial role will drive revenue, expand Purple's footprint within universities, colleges, schools, and multi-dwelling student accommodation, and position Purple as a strategic partner for secure connectivity, digital engagement, and intelligent campus experiences.
Reporting directly to the SVP Global Sales, you will bring deep experience selling into complex education environments. You will understand the dynamics of campus IT teams, student housing, cyber-security requirements, and the operational pressures placed on modern institutions.
You will combine executive presence with hands-on sales leadership — shaping the go-to-market approach, opening new regions, building senior stakeholder relationships, and securing large-scale education deployments across the UK, North America, and selected international markets. This is a high-impact role where your work will directly influence how institutions connect students, staff, devices, and guest communities through secure, identity-driven WiFi and data-rich digital services.
Why Join Purple
Purple lives by values that cut through the noise: make it happen, stay positive, collaborate, avoid politics, keep learning, and raise the bar. Here you will shape strategy, operate with autonomy, and help institutions deliver secure, inclusive connectivity that improves student experience and operational efficiency.
What You Will Do:
- Own the international education growth strategy, leading expansion across the UK, North America and selective global markets.
- Execute a sales quota, achieving or exceeding revenue targets for large education institutions, campus networks, and multi-dwelling student environments.
- Establish senior relationships with CIOs, CTOs, Network Directors, Deans, and student accommodation operators.
- Position Purple at the centre of campus transformation agendas — including digital experience, identity-based authentication, secure device onboarding, and student engagement.
- Lead go-to-market strategies for the education vertical, building scalable messaging and value propositions for different institution tiers.
- Sell a full suite of Purple solutions including secure identity-based onboarding (IPSK), MDU-style resident connectivity, campus-wide guest WiFi, analytics, digital engagement, and access intelligence.
- Influence procurement frameworks and partner ecosystems within education and student accommodation.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with Product, Marketing, Customer Success and Partners to ensure vertical fit and repeatable success.
- Represent Purple internationally, speaking at education events and shaping thought leadership on secure campuses and digital transformation.
Requirements
Who You Are
- A senior commercial leader with 7–10+ years selling into higher education or education-adjacent markets (SaaS, networking, cybersecurity, digital engagement).
- Experienced selling into complex, multi-stakeholder education environments with mid & long sales cycles.
- Proven success in quota-carrying roles closing large enterprise deals.
- Strong understanding of campus network security, student accommodation / MDU connectivity models, identity-based onboarding (e.g., IPSK), multi-device authentication, and IT and campus operations.
- Exceptional communicator capable of influencing CIO/CTO-level stakeholders.
- Operates with autonomy, strategic clarity, and a commitment to delivering meaningful results.
- Passionate about improving educational experience and operational outcomes through technology.
Benefits
- Executive-level base salary + bonus
- Hybrid working with international travel
- Commitment to leadership development
- 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays) and the option to buy extra days
- 4 volunteering days each year - give something back to the community
- Life insurance at 2 x salary
- Employee Assistance Programme, 24/7 helpline
- Company pension, 4% employer contribution
- Private Healthcare & Long Term Incentive Plan after 12 months' service
At Purple, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We value the unique perspectives and experiences that each individual brings, and we believe that diversity enriches our team and drives innovation. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or any other characteristic. We understand that everyone's journey is different, and we are open to conversations about flexible working arrangements that can accommodate your needs.
Vice President, Education in Manchester employer: PURPLE
Contact Detail:
PURPLE Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Vice President, Education in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend industry events, webinars, and meet-ups to connect with key players in the education sector. Building relationships with CIOs and Deans can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Create content or speak at events about secure connectivity and digital engagement in education. This positions you as a thought leader and makes you memorable to potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Leverage social media! Use platforms like LinkedIn to share insights and engage with others in the education space. It’s a great way to stay on top of trends and connect with decision-makers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining Purple. Tailor your approach to highlight how your experience aligns with our values and mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Vice President, Education in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Vice President, Education role. Highlight your experience in complex education environments and how it aligns with Purple's growth strategy. We want to see how you can make an impact!
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples of how you've driven revenue or built relationships in previous roles. This will help us understand your potential to exceed our sales quotas.
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. At Purple, we value positivity and collaboration, so don’t be afraid to show us who you are and how you embody our values. We’re looking for someone who fits right in with our culture!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us that you’re genuinely interested in joining the Purple team!
How to prepare for a job interview at PURPLE
✨Know Your Audience
Before the interview, research Purple and its position in the education sector. Understand their values and how they align with your vision for education. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate that you're not just a fit for the role, but also for the company culture.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles that highlight your success in selling to complex education environments. Be ready to discuss how you've built relationships with senior stakeholders and closed large enterprise deals, as this is crucial for the Vice President role.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
Think about how you would approach the international education growth strategy for Purple. Be prepared to share your ideas on go-to-market strategies and how you would position Purple as a leader in secure connectivity and digital engagement within educational institutions.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Since this role involves cross-functional collaboration, be ready to discuss how you've worked with different teams in the past. Highlight your ability to collaborate with Product, Marketing, and Customer Success to ensure that solutions meet the needs of educational institutions.