Overview
New Business Sales Executive – Education
Location: Field-Based / Remote (UK)
Reporting to: Senior Sales Manager
About IRIS Software Group
IRIS Software Group is one of the UK’s leading providers of business-critical software, supporting over 100,000 organisations across education, HR, payroll, accountancy and business management.
Within the Education division, IRIS delivers market-leading software solutions that help schools, trusts, academies and Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) streamline operations, improve financial management and deliver outstanding educational outcomes.
Our portfolio includes solutions for finance, MIS, HR, payroll, parental engagement and school administration, helping educational organisations work more efficiently while remaining compliant in an ever-changing sector.
As we continue to grow, we’re looking for ambitious sales professionals to help more schools and trusts benefit from our innovative technology.
The Role
We’re looking for a motivated and commercially driven New Business Sales Executive to join our growing Education Sales team.
In this field-based role, you’ll be responsible for identifying and securing new business opportunities across our Education portfolio. You’ll own the entire sales cycle, from prospecting and discovery through to negotiation and contract signature.
Working alongside Business Development, Marketing, Pre-Sales and Customer Success teams, you’ll build trusted relationships with school leaders and education professionals, helping them overcome operational challenges through market-leading technology.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys consultative selling, thrives on developing new business and wants to make a genuine impact within the education sector.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Identify, develop and win new business opportunities across schools, academies, Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) and other education organisations.
- Build and maintain a strong pipeline through proactive prospecting, networking, referrals and marketing-generated leads.
- Develop strategic territory plans to maximise market opportunities.
- Manage the full sales cycle from initial engagement through to contract signature.
- Qualify opportunities using MEDDICC methodology.
- Create account plans and deal strategies to maximise win rates.
- Maintain accurate opportunity management and forecasting within Salesforce.
- Deliver reliable monthly and quarterly sales forecasts.
- Build strong relationships with Headteachers, CEOs, CFOs, School Business Managers, IT Leaders and Finance Directors.
- Conduct consultative sales conversations to understand customer priorities and align IRIS solutions to their needs.
- Deliver compelling presentations and commercial proposals alongside Pre-Sales consultants.
- Work collaboratively with internal teams to provide an exceptional customer experience.
- Share best practice and contribute to a high-performing sales culture.
What We’re Looking For
Essential Experience
- Proven track record of exceeding new business sales targets within SaaS, software or technology sales.
- Experience managing complex B2B sales opportunities.
- Strong consultative selling and relationship-building skills.
- Experience engaging senior decision-makers and executive stakeholders.
- Knowledge of structured sales methodologies such as MEDDICC.
- Experience using Salesforce or another CRM to manage pipeline and forecasting.
- Strong commercial awareness and territory planning skills.
Desirable
- Experience selling software into the education sector.
- Knowledge of schools, academies or Multi-Academy Trusts.
- Experience selling MIS, finance, HR, payroll or education technology solutions.
Key Skills
Sales & Business Development
- New business acquisition
- Territory planning
- Pipeline management
- Prospecting
- Account planning
- Opportunity qualification
- Forecasting
- Value-based selling
Communication
- Relationship building
- Presentation skills
- Negotiation
- Stakeholder management
- Objection handling
- Consultative selling
Personal Attributes
- Self-motivated and target-driven
- Commercially minded
- Resilient and ambitious
- Highly organised
- Collaborative team player
- Curious with a passion for learning
- Customer-focused
Why Join IRIS?
- Join one of the UK’s leading education technology providers.
- Sell a portfolio of trusted solutions used by thousands of schools and Multi-Academy Trusts.
- Comprehensive onboarding and continuous product training.
- Ongoing coaching and professional development.
- Competitive salary with uncapped commission.
- Flexible field-based working.
- Excellent career progression opportunities within a growing global organisation.
Ready to Make an Impact?
If you’re passionate about winning new business, building long-term customer relationships and helping schools and education organisations embrace technology, we’d love to hear from you.
Apply today and help shape the future of education with IRIS Software Group.
Salary: Competitive
Location: UK Remote
IMPORTANT: Before applying for this role, please make sure you have the right to work in the country where the role is based. Unless it clearly stipulates within in the job advert above that the hiring company is looking to or able to sponsor applicants it is deemed that the hiring employer will only consider applications from those able to comply with and work in the country where the role is based.
