**Job Summary** The Client Director for R1 Universities is a strategic leadership role focused on driving growth and fostering strong relationships within a designated portfolio of Research 1 (R1) universities. This role requires a dynamic individual with expertise in managing complex accounts and leading a team of Field Inside Account Executives and Account Managers. The Client Director will leverage SHI's Innovative Solutions and World-Class Support to deliver exceptional value to our R1 university clients, ensuring alignment with their strategic goals and IT initiatives. **About Us** Since 1989, SHI International Corp. has helped organizations change the world through technology. We’ve grown every year since, and today we’re proud to be a $14 billion global provider of IT solutions and services. Over 17,000 organizations worldwide rely on SHI’s concierge approach to help them solve what’s next. **But the heartbeat of SHI is our employees – all 6,000 of them.** If you join our team, you’ll enjoy: + Our commitment to diversity, as the largest minority- and woman-owned enterprise in the U.S. + Continuous professional growth and leadership opportunities. + Health, wellness, and financial benefits to offer peace of mind to you and your family. + World-class facilities and the technology you need to thrive – in our offices or yours. **Responsibilities** + **Strategic Account Management:** Lead and manage a team to develop and execute account strategies that align with the specific needs of R1 universities, driving growth and ensuring customer satisfaction. + **Team Leadership:** Oversee a team of Field Inside Account Executives and Account Managers, providing guidance, mentorship, and performance management to achieve team and individual sales targets. + **Business Development:** Identify and pursue new business opportunities within existing accounts and target new accounts within the R1 university sector. Utilize targeted sales techniques including cold calling, customer meetings, and industry networking. + **Relationship Building:** Establish and nurture strong, long-lasting relationships with key stakeholders at R1 universities, including IT decision-makers, faculty, and administration, to better understand their objectives and challenges. + **Solution Positioning:** Articulate and position SHI’s comprehensive portfolio of products, solutions, and services to address the specific needs and priorities of R1 universities. + **Collaboration:** Work closely with internal Pre and Post Sales Support Teams to ensure seamless service delivery and customer satisfaction. + **Market Insight:** Continuously monitor industry trends, emerging technologies, and competitive landscape within the higher education sector to inform strategic planning and client engagement. + **Sales Performance:** Consistently meet or exceed sales targets by effectively managing the sales pipeline and leveraging CRM tools to track and report on sales activities and outcomes. + **Travel:** Travel within the assigned territory to engage with existing and prospective clients, attend industry events, and participate in company meetings. **Qualifications** + Bachelor’s Degree or relevant work experience + 5+ years of direct selling experience in similar account sets + Proven experience in a sales leadership role, preferably within the higher education sector or with large, complex accounts. + Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a sales team to achieve ambitious targets. + Proficiency in using CRM software and other sales tools. + Strong understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the R1 university landscape. **Required Skills** + Effective written and verbal communication skills + Excellent presentation skills + Excellent time management, planning, and organization skills + Ability to self-study and engage in independent work to increase job related knowledge and skills + Ability to think ahead, plan long-term decisions, and anticipate outcomes + Business-acumen + Possess good judgment and decision-making skills + Ability to be approachable, maintain composure, and possess a professional attitude + Strong interpersonal and customer service skills + Self-motivated with ability to work with limited direction and oversight + Strong consultative sales skills + Ability to prospect, negotiate, and close deals + Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment. + Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills. **Preferred Qualifications/Skills:** + Advanced Degrees, Sales and technical certifications + Experience Selling Complex IT Solutions to Large Public Sector Customers + Working knowledge of Programs from Industry Leading OEMs such as Microsoft, Dell, Broadcom/VMware, HP, Cisco, Apple, AWS, Lenovo **Unique Requirements** + Position requires minimum 50% time outside of an office setting meeting with existing and potential customers **Additional Information** + The estimated annual pay range for this position is $125,000 - $250,000 which includes a base salary and commission. The compensation for this position is dependent on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and market location and, therefore, will vary from individual to individual. Benefits may include, but are not limited to, medical, vision, dental, 401K, and flexible spending. + Equal Employment Opportunity – M/F/Disability/Protected Veteran Status Refer a friend to this job (https://careers-shi.icims.com/jobs/18916/client-director---strategic-education/job?mode=apply&apply=yes&in\_iframe=1&hashed=-336032949) **Need help finding the right job?** We can recommend jobs specifically for you! **Job Locations** _US-NY-New York City_ **Requisition ID** _2025-18916_ **Approved Min (Total Target Comp)** _USD $125,000.00/Yr._ **Approved Max (Total Target Comp)** _USD $250,000.00/Yr._ **Compensation Structure** _Base Plus Commission_ **Category** _Management_