Speakers Account Executive/Sales Agent

The Speakers Account Executive is a mid-level position at Stern Strategy Group within the Stern Speakers division which represents a roster of speakers whose work is a significant driver of worldwide innovation and global thinking.  This non-commission, salary plus bonus, consultative sales position specifically develops and strengthens relationships between Speaker clients, and customers interested in engaging thought leaders for their events. The Account Executive must be results-oriented, self-motivated, and able to simultaneously manage transactions and advisory relationships. The person in this role must be able to demonstrate persuasive communications skills, and exhibit a strong sense of urgency to not only convert inbound leads into paid speaking engagements, but simultaneously drive and attract new business. The Speakers Account Executive must be organized and detail-oriented, as well as exercise discretion and independent, good judgment and professionalism to manage the relationship between the Stern Speakers division’s internal departments, its speakers, and customers seeking speaker services and advisory representation.  This position provides tremendous growth and earnings potential and and affords an opportunity to work with all our world-renowned speakers as we endeavor to generate engagements for them.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Respond to companies, conferences, and associations (customers) inquiring about our speaker thought leaders for paid speaking engagements.
• Set up calls with inbound leads to learn about customer event(s) and specific needs and successfully match appropriate speakers to the event.
• Daily and actively prospect and make cold-calls to secure speaking engagements with new venues and new customers to grow our customer account base; identify and contact the appropriate professional(s) within the organization, and continuously work to proactively sell via inside and outside sales strategies.
• Clearly and accurately communicate ourrange of services (speaking and advisory representation) and our speakers’ knowledge and expertise, the fees associated with the speaker, and tactfully negotiate appropriate fees for the speaker or advisory services.
• Actively research potential customers, the marketplace, competition and trends.
• Conduct independent and frequent research to develop and exhibit deep and accurate knowledge of Stern’s speakers’ roster and each speakers’ subject matter expertise.
• Continuously use the CRM to accurately and diligently enter sales, speaker and customer information for tracking, reporting and follow-up; and maintain a comprehensive account follow-up calendar.
• Maintain speakers’ websites as necessary; propose updates as deemed necessary for speaker to achieve strategic goals and to drive business and interest
• Actively support the marketing team in business development efforts by coordinating pitch materials and align sales strategy with marketing initiatives and company goals.
• Travel to local speaker and client events and meetings as necessary.
• Prepare contractual documents for both domestic and international events.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience in related field; MBA or JD a plus.
• 3 years’ experience in sales, preferably in a corporate office environment or event services company.
• Proficiency in Microsoft products (Word, Excel and Outlook) and CRM database (Hubspot).
• Experience using internet for research purposes.
• Exceptional written, oral and interpersonal communication skills.
• Interest in and knowledge of politics, world events, business and technology trends, and other areas in which Stern speakers hold expertise
• Industry experience preferred, but not mandatory.
• Must have access to reliable transportation to attend client meetings and other professional engagements, as appropriate.
• Possession of an affinity for details and quality, along with a sense of urgency and a proven ability to prioritize and multi-task in a rapidly changing, fast-paced environment with impeccable interpersonal skills.
• Sales-savvy with a high level of comfortable cold-calling and a proactive and independent approach to work, including excellent research and creative problem-solving skills

This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the above position and it is not intended to be an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position.  This description is an outline of the major recurring responsibilities of the job.  Other related job objectives, special assignments and less significant responsibilities typically performed by the incumbent are not included. Subject to change, for roles in Iselin, NJ, employees currently work a hybrid schedule with at least three required in-Iselin work days per week.

Wondering about our benefits?

We are a fully remote workforce. We offer two health insurance plans, life insurance, long and short-term disability benefits, 401(k) with up to a 4% match, dependent care flex spending account, self-funded dental, vision, cancer and accident, an Employee Assistance Program, funded learning opportunities, unlimited PTO, and 10 company-paid holidays per year. All benefits are always subject to plan availability, eligibility and federal, state and local laws.