Job Title: Specialist, Sales
Description: In this role, you will focus on driving sales growth, building strategic partnerships, and enhancing our market presence in the vocational education sector. This role aligns with industry titles such as Sales lead, Regional sales manager, Business development manager.
The Role
We are seeking a dynamic and results‑driven Sales Lead to spearhead our vocational education initiatives in Sri Lanka. This role focuses on driving sales growth, building strategic partnerships, and expanding Pearson’s presence within the vocational education and skills ecosystem.
As part of the Enterprise Learning & Skills (ELS) VQ Sales Team, you will collaborate closely with colleagues to build sustainable business aligned to customer needs, while providing expert professional guidance and solutions to education and training partners.
This role covers Sri Lanka and may also support additional markets as required by the organization.
What You’ll Own
Drive go‑to‑market (GTM) sales strategy aligned to vocational skills and higher education opportunities in Sri Lanka.Analyze local market dynamics, competitor activity, regulatory landscapes, and technology trends across skills and higher education.Map and engage the ecosystem of institutions, training providers, government initiatives, and private sector partners.Identify and penetrate untapped market segments in collaboration with colleagues and the reporting manager.Position Pearson ELS solutions effectively by understanding competitive landscapes and articulating clear value propositions and USPs.Prospecting & Lead Generation
Build and maintain a strong pipeline of qualified leads through outbound outreach, networking, industry events, and inbound inquiries.Use CRM tools and sales data to track engagement, manage pipelines, and prioritize follow‑ups.Establish relationships with key decision‑makers and influencers, including deans, department heads, program directors, and procurement teams.Needs Assessment & Solution Selling
Conduct consultative discovery conversations to understand institutional goals, pain points, and operational constraints.Demonstrate deep product knowledge across curriculum, technology, accreditation, and learner outcomes.Tailor proposals and presentations aligned to strategic priorities, regulatory requirements, and budget considerations.Position offerings as solutions supporting workforce readiness, employability, digital transformation, and lifelong learning.Product Demonstration & Evangelism
Deliver engaging product demonstrations, workshops, and webinars for educators, administrators, and institutional stakeholders.Showcase success stories, pilot programs, and case studies to build confidence and adoption.Act as a subject‑matter expert by staying current on pedagogy, digital learning tools, and industry certifications.Negotiation, Deal Closure & Account Management
Prepare and present proposals, pricing, and contracts in collaboration with internal Pearson teams.Manage objections, stakeholder alignment, and negotiations through to deal closure.Oversee the full sales cycle from initial contact to signed agreement and handover to implementation teams.Maintain long‑term client relationships, acting as a trusted advisor and primary point of contact post‑sale.Identify opportunities for upsell and cross‑sell as partner needs evolve.Collaboration, Compliance & Continuous Improvement
Work closely with product, marketing, operations, stakeholder relations, progression & recognition, and government relations teams as required.Share market intelligence and feedback to inform GTM strategy and product development.Ensure compliance with all regulatory, ethical, privacy, and accessibility requirements.Track performance metrics, report on pipeline and revenue, and apply insights from win/loss analysis to improve outcomes.
About You
You bring proven experience in sales, ideally within the education or skills sector, paired with a strong understanding of vocational education and training systems.You have a consistent track record of achieving or exceeding sales targets in a consultative selling environment.You’re confident engaging senior stakeholders and decision‑makers, building trust and long‑term partnerships.You thrive both independently and collaboratively in a metrics‑driven, fast‑evolving market.You are comfortable using CRM tools, data insights, and Microsoft Office Suite to manage performance and pipeline.You hold a valid driver’s license and have access to a vehicle, with flexibility to travel as required.
What You’ll Get
The opportunity to play a meaningful role in shaping vocational education and workforce readiness in Sri Lanka.Exposure to a diverse ecosystem of education partners, government initiatives, and industry stakeholders.A chance to represent innovative Pearson ELS solutions that impact learners, institutions, and employers.Ongoing professional development, internal collaboration, and growth within the global Pearson organization.
Ready to make an impact?
Apply now and help shape what's next.