Regional Sales Manager (Player/Coach)

Position Title: Regional Sales Manager (Player/Coach)

Learning Ally is a leading nonprofit education solutions organization that transforms the lives of struggling learners by delivering proven literacy solutions that help students reach their potential. Its mission is to radically change education, transforming the lives of children by providing reading interventions and solutions to help them succeed academically, build self-confidence, and thrive in school and beyond.

65% of fourth graders read below proficiency and are 400% more likely to drop-out of high school. And, for "most at risk" students (students of color, low income, English Language Learners and students with learning disabilities) the problem is even more acute.

Learning Ally seeks to break this cycle. With early student assessment, intervention and accommodation and professional development for educators, Learning Ally can identify and prevent learning issues by working with schools and educators to support new and struggling readers. Its solutions build a strong foundation for independent, engaged learners who are empowered to achieve socially, emotionally, and academically, regardless of background or learning difference.

Founded in 1948 as Recording for the Blind, to help soldiers who lost their sight in combat continue their education with audiobook products, Learning Ally has evolved to help individuals understand the unique ways they learn and match them to the solutions that enable personal achievement.

Today, Learning Ally positively impacts the lives of over 2.4 million students, 630,000 educators, and partners with nearly 3,000 districts and 24,000 schools nationwide. As we continue to expand our reach, we are dedicated to providing accessible, high-quality resources to support diverse learners and educational communities across the country. With a continued commitment to supporting students who learn differently, Learning Ally has joined researchers and neuroscientists from renowned institutions including UCSF and MIT, to better understand and address learning issues.

Position Overview

The Regional Sales Manager is responsible for leading a high-performing group of remote Inside Sales Representatives to exceed revenue goals within the Education Solutions division. In addition, this role will support a small territory as the District Partnership Manager. Success in this role requires a documented record of being a player/coach while leading a sales team, excellent communication abilities, and strong leadership acumen to grow and maintain a productive, motivated sales force. Upon successful demonstration of the Regional Sales Manager role, the individual will transition into a Regional Sales Director position.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the Central Team of Inside Sales Reps

• Lead by example by having a small territory to create relationships in and contribute to team revenue from sales.
• Set and communicate clear goals and sales targets for individual team members.
• Provide daily oversight of sales activities, forecasting, and pipeline management.
• Monitor performance metrics, analyze win rates, and implement strategies to drive continual improvement.
• Integrate best practices for virtual and social selling to optimize remote sales engagement.

Coaching & Professional Development

• Offer individualized feedback, schedule targeted coaching sessions, and set clear performance improvement goals.
• Encourage a culture of continuous learning and professional excellence within the sales team.
• Assist Regional Sales Director with sales team meetings and cross-team meetings.

Sales Strategy & Execution

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to develop and execute business plans for maximizing market opportunities.
• Accurately forecast and communicate progress toward sales quotas and business objectives.
• Implement effective sales processes and ensure alignment with organizational goals.

Reporting & Administration

• Track key performance metrics; identify trends and present actionable insights to leadership.
• Ensure all sales activities and customer interactions are accurately documented in NetSuite.

Collaboration & Cross-Functional Support

• Partner with the SDR Manager to effectively increase collaboration.
• Partner with Marketing, Account Management, and Customer Care teams to support customer growth and retention strategies.
• Maintain a deep understanding of industry trends, competitor activities, and client challenges to position products/solutions effectively.

Time on Task Estimates

• 40% leading and supporting the Central Sales Team based on needs (currently 2)
• 10% administering reporting and commission calculations
• 50% acting as a sales representative in assigned territory

Qualifications

• Experience: 5-8 years of proven success managing Inside Sales Representatives, including remote teams for SAAS.
• Track Record: Demonstrated ability to meet or exceed quotas and drive team-wide performance.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency with CRM software (e.g., NetSuite, Salesforce, or Dynamics) and common desktop applications (e.g., Word, PowerPoint, Google Suite). Preferred Learning Management Systems and Tool Integration knowledge.
• Innovation Skills: Use of AI and familiarity of related platforms. Strong desire to find ways to innovate and modernize.
• Sales Expertise: Skilled in consultative/solutions selling, forecasting, and pipeline management; adept at objection handling and negotiation.
• Communication: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills; able to give clear, constructive feedback and conduct effective coaching sessions.
• Education: Bachelor's degree required.
• Project Management: Able to plan, organize, and execute multiple projects effectively while meeting deadlines.

Learning Ally is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.