Handshake is hiring a Education Sales Development Representative, reporting to the Manager of Education Sales.
As a key member of the Education Sales team, you’ll help Handshake continue to grow our market leadership in the United States, with a particular focus on post-secondary education and affiliate partnerships. In the first 3 months on the job you’ll learn the Handshake product and sales motion by getting hands-on with both outbound and inbound sales activities and leading demos and discovery calls with prospects. The goal and expectation is that you will rapidly ramp into taking on your own book of business of small 4-year schools and affiliate partners to add to the Handshake network. In addition to working on a close-knit Sales team, you will also have the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues on Marketing, Ops, Product, and Success to increase sales velocity, reduce friction, and improve hand-offs.
Handshake’s unique position as the best place for anyone to start, jumpstart, or restart their career is built on the success of our Education Partnerships team. This role will be instrumental in adding more schools and organizations to the Handshake network and shaping the early talent experience for millions of students.
Your Role
In first 3 months: Master the Handshake EDU product and sales motion by:
Shadowing colleagues on Sales, Success, Ops and Marketing to learn the Handshake product and sale inside and out, create their own demo script and become demo certified
Generating quality top of funnel opportunities for the team, particularly with post-secondary institutions, by executing both outbound and inbound sales activities including cold calls, email and LinkedIn campaigns, hosting webinars, and collaborating on content and social media marketing
Leading in-person and virtual demos and discovery calls with interested prospects and representing Handshake at relevant conferences
In month 3 and beyond: Grow our market leadership with Community Colleges and 4 year Universities in the U.S. and help us expand into affiliate partnerships and trade schools by running your own book of business:
Building close relationships with higher education leaders and becoming an expert and trusted thought partner on career services, workforce development and early talent
Leading demo and onsite meetings, supporting with RFPs and managing procurement processes to sign schools up for Handshake
Project-managing regional, system and state-wide opportunities from evaluation to close, so that multiple schools join the network at once
Collaborate with other members of the EDU Sales, Ops and Marketing teams to build our brand as a thought leader and innovator in higher education and early talent
Bring positive and constructive feedback to our Product teams in terms of what school prospects are looking for
Partner closely with our Customer Success team to ensure a smooth handoff, successful implementation and virtuous cycle of school champions referring their colleagues and networks to Handshake
This role requires travel to onsites and demos with prospects, conferences and other Handshake events. You should expect at least 25% of your time to be travel, with additional variance based on seasonality and business need.
Your Experience
At least 1+ years of outbound and prospecting sales experience in enterprise SaaS or selling into higher education
Proven track record of quota attainment on a high-performing team
Willingness to execute a high volume of outbound sales activities every day while exhibiting a positive attitude and growth mindset
Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills with specific experience and ability in leading sales conversations and meetings virtually (i.e. over phone and Zoom)
Thrives in a fast-paced, high-growth environment - you are organized, entrepreneurial, and run towards problems
Ability to be flexible and agile in responding to evolving business priorities and operating within ambiguity
Values working with a diverse team and maintaining consistent communication with multiple internal constituencies
Handshake is the career platform for Gen Z. With a community of over 17 million students, alumni, employers, and career educators, Handshake’s network is where career advice and discovery turn into first, second, and third jobs. Nearly 1 million companies use Handshake to build their future workforce—from Fortune 500 to federal agencies, school districts to startups, healthcare systems to small businesses. Handshake is built for where you’re going, not where you’ve been.
When it comes to our workforce strategy, we’ve thought deeply about how work-life should look at Handshake. With our hybrid-work model, employees benefit from collaboration and shared team experiences three days per week in our vibrant offices, and enjoy the flexibility of remote work two days per week (unless noted in the specific job posting). Handshake is headquartered in San Francisco, with offices in New York, London, and Berlin.
At Handshake, we'll give you the tools to feel healthy, happy and secure.
Benefits below apply to US employees in full-time positions.
Equity and ownership in a fast-growing company.
16 Weeks of paid parental leave for birth giving parents & 10 weeks of paid parental leave for non-birth giving parents.
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision policies including LGTBQ+ Coverage. We also provide resources for Mental Health Assistance, Employee Assistance Programs and counseling support.
Generous learning & development opportunities and an annual $2,000 stipend for you to grow your skills and career.
Financial coaching through Origin to help you through your financial journey.
Monthly internet stipend and a brand new MacBook to allow you to do your best work.
Monthly commuter stipend for you to expense your travel to the office (for office-based employees).
Free lunch provided 3x a week across all offices.
Referral bonus to reward you when you bring great talent to Handshake.
401k Match: Handshake offers a dollar-for-dollar match on 1% of deferred salary, up to a maximum of $1,200 per year.
All full-time US-based Handshakers are eligible for our flexible time off policy to get out and see the world. In addition, we offer 13 standardized holidays, and 2 additional days of flexible holiday time off. Lastly, we have a Winter #ShakeBreak, a one-week period of Collective Time Off.
Handshake offers $500 home office stipend for you to spend during your first 3 months to create a productive and comfortable workspace at home.
Family support: Parental leave coaching and support provided by Parentaly. We partner with Maven Clinic to provide a lifetime coverage up to $15K for expenses related to fertility and family forming!
Lifestyle Savings Account: We offer you an annual stipend of $500 to use for purchases such as fitness classes, gym memberships, work-from-home setup, and more.
Looking for more? Explore our mission, values and comprehensive US benefits at joinhandshake.com/careers.
Handshake is committed to providing reasonable accommodations in our recruitment processes for candidates with disabilities, sincerely held religious beliefs or other reasons protected by applicable laws. If you need assistance or reasonable accommodation, please let your recruiter know during initial communications.
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