Account Executive Higher Education

Build new revenue streams by creating long-term university partnerships through executive-level, consultative sales conversations that improve student and institutional performance.

As an account executive in Gallup’s education division, you will develop new business and grow revenue across a portfolio of higher education institutions by identifying, advancing and closing growth opportunities using proven solutions. You will engage presidents, provosts, vice presidents, deans and cabinet leaders in strategic conversations about engagement, workforce readiness, talent development and organizational performance, and then position Gallup’s analytics, research and advisory solutions to help them achieve measurable outcomes.

This is a quota-carrying role for an enterprise sales professional who can build pipeline with discipline, develop multiyear account strategies, influence executive stakeholders, and consistently close new business and expansion opportunities.

If you bring proven sales performance and a passion for helping colleges and universities solve their toughest challenges, apply today.

What You’ll Do

• Drive new business development and expansion within a portfolio of higher education institutions


• Lead structured sales engagements from discovery through close, including stakeholder mapping, proposal development and negotiation


• Build and maintain a strategic sales pipeline to meet and exceed annual bookings and revenue goals


• Develop and execute multiyear account strategies aligned to institutional priorities and decision-maker needs


• Deliver data-driven presentations and executive briefings to boards, cabinets and leadership teams


• Translate complex data and analytics into clear, compelling value stories that guide decisions and earn commitment


• Partner cross-functionally with consulting, research and client experience teams to ensure strong delivery, retention and long-term partnership success


• Maintain accurate forecasting and CRM reporting, using metrics and rigor to manage performance

What Success Looks Like

• Consistent achievement of annual revenue and booking targets


• Expansion of Gallup’s footprint within colleges and universities


• Development of long-term, strategic executive partnerships


• Clear alignment between client institutional goals and Gallup solutions


• Contribution to a high-performance, strengths-based culture within the education division

Who We Want

• Revenue owners who consistently meet or exceed sales goals through disciplined pipeline management, forecasting and closing excellence


• Executive advisers who confidently engage and influence presidents, provosts and cabinet leaders in high-stakes, strategic conversations


• Consultative strategists who quickly identify client needs and align them to proven solutions that drive outcomes


• Driven orchestrators who take ownership of outcomes, build and execute multiyear account plans, and follow through on every detail of the deal


• Compelling communicators who translate analytics into persuasive stories, deliver polished presentations and negotiate with professionalism

What You Need

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree preferred


• At least five years of experience leading consultative, solution-based sales required


• At least one year of sales experience within the higher education industry or direct professional experience working within higher education institutions required


• Demonstrated success meeting or exceeding revenue targets required


• Proven ability to engage and influence executive stakeholders required


• Strong pipeline management, forecasting discipline and CRM proficiency required, including a track record of managing multiple opportunities and relationships simultaneously


• Excellent written, presentation and negotiation skills required


• Experience selling multiyear agreements for analytics, research-based, advisory, consulting or solutions-based offerings preferred


• Experience managing multi-million-dollar portfolios preferred


• Background in higher education consulting, enrollment strategy, workforce development or institutional transformation preferred


• Familiarity with engagement, talent strategy or organizational performance frameworks preferred


• Willingness to travel up to 25% required


• A commitment to working on-site at Gallup’s Chicago office at least three days per week required


• Eligibility to work in the U.S. required; this position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship

Why Gallup

At Gallup, we change the world, one client at a time, through extraordinary analytics and advice on everything important facing humankind.

Within our education division, we work with colleges and universities to improve student engagement, strengthen leadership, advance institutional strategy and drive measurable performance outcomes.

Joining Gallup as a business leader is your opportunity to influence higher education institutions at a strategic level while building a strong revenue portfolio within a research-driven, mission-focused organization. Gallup offers a performance-oriented environment grounded in strengths-based leadership and measurable impact. Learn more about our work and life at Gallup.

Gallup offers a robust benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, life and other insurance options; a fully vested 401(k) retirement savings plan with company matching; an employee stock ownership program; mass transit reimbursement; family-building benefits; an employee assistance program; and various reimbursements and activities that enhance our associates’ wellbeing. We also offer an estimated annual salary range of $125,000-$150,000 for this role. Salaries are based on a variety of factors, including an individual’s education, experience and skills. Certain roles are also eligible for bonuses.

Gallup is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other legally protected basis, in accordance with applicable law.

To review Gallup’s Privacy Statement, please click this link: https://www.gallup.com/privacy. This privacy policy is meant to help you understand what information we collect, why we collect it, and how you can update, manage and delete your information. Your application and the information you provide will be processed and stored in the United States.

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