VP of Sales

About Hand2mind

We bring learning to life! Trusted by teachers for more than 55+ years, hand2mind creates engaging, classroom-tested materials that empower children to learn by doing. We are a 150-person strong, family-owned company that's been voted one of the Chicago Tribune's Top Workplaces for the last four consecutive years. In addition to building high-quality, hands-on learning materials for the classroom like VersaTiles® and Cuisenaire® Rods, we also develop educational toys for the home that make learning math, reading, social-emotional learning, and STEM fun and interactive. As a company, we are committed to our employee’s personal and professional development. That’s why we offer a competitive benefits package, a supportive culture, and training and development opportunities by Harvard and UCLA professors. We are looking for professionals who are truly just kids at heart! We hope you’ll come join our award-winning team today!

Team & Position Description

This leadership role is the leader of a large national field sales and tele-sales team serving the U.S. PreK, Elementary and Middle School markets, headquartered in Vernon Hills, Illinois. The Sales team reporting into the VP Sales is organized into four national regions, each led by a Regional Sales Manager and is comprised of Educational Sales Consultants (field) and Educational Sales Consultants (tele-sales). The VP Sales will also oversee a newly-formed RFP and Bids team. The Sales Operations team and the Teaching & Learning team (national consultants and per diems) will continue to report to the SVP Sales. Sales through domestic and international retailers and dealers, as well as to basal publishers, are handled by other sales teams at the company. This role directly reports to the SVP Sales and is the designated successor to the SVP Sales on his retirement at the end of 2025.

This role is responsible for the largest revenue base in the company, selling proprietary and distributed products as well as Custom solutions and training services to solve problems for School districts, schools, and classrooms. The company has heavily invested in Sales Support, Product Development, and all forms of Marketing, including field marketing. The company uses the cloud-based Microsoft D365 platform as well as the Microsoft CRM solution (CS) and an Azure Data Lake/PowerBI analytics platform. We are looking for a dynamic, performance-based leader/manager driven to achieve market share gains, revenue growth and customer experience excellence. Analytics and market insights should be strong complements to good old fashioned team leadership, sales management and vision. The company’s modern open office environment, family business values and strong culture have been recognized as a Top Workplace in Chicago for several years running by the Chicago Tribune and is the recent subject of a Harvard Business School case study.

What We’re Looking For (Key Performance Objectives)

• Within six months, complete a listening tour of our companies’ leadership and key players in Sales, including ride-arounds with field and in-house sales team members. In collaboration with the SVP Sales and the Regional Sales Managers, lead a strategic planning process to grow the number of districts doing business with the company by 50% over three years. Prepare an implementation plan and budget for top opportunities for inclusion in the companies’ 2024-5 Operating Plans.
• Within six months, evaluate talent and create a development plan for each manager in the department. Make recommendations to HR and the SVP Sales.
• Within six months, taking into account the company’s strategic talent and sales growth plans in the next three years, develop a strategic plan for the expansion of our School sales organization to support and fuel that growth. Make recommendations to CEO, CFO, and the SVP Sales.
  
  
  

Other Responsibilities:

• Partner with the SVP Sales, Sales Operations and Finance to create annual sales budget, territory goals, sample, and T&E budgets.
• Coach and develop the sales directors/managers via 1:1s and appropriate team meetings.
• Own pipeline development and collaborate on pipeline with Sales Operations.
• Partner with Regional Sales Managers on developing strategic effective sales campaigns across all regions but especially in Florida, Texas, and California. Coordinate 2025 development of ESC business plans.
• Acquire, develop and nurture new “trusted partner” customer relationships that will position the company as a thought partner and drive new customer acquisition.
• Develop the necessary data infrastructure and business practices to grow revenue through bids & RFP’s.
• Establish an “in the field” presence with Regional Sales Managers and ESC’s. Maintain a presence in the field at major state, regional and national conferences/exhibits, and sales awareness events.
• Work with Product Development, Marketing and Creative to ensure proper communication of product features, benefits and positioning through messaging, marketing messaging and sales presentations for effective product launches. Use Pilots, Event-based selling and Sales Awareness events to introduce products and drive sales.
• Drive employees’ performance, talent development and accountability through alignment of goals, measurement of results, ongoing feedback, and periodic appraisal.
• Assist the SVP Sales in the development and leadership of twice-annual Company National and Summer Sales Meetings.
  
  
  

Requirements/Preferences:

• Minimum of 10 years management experience as manager of a large sales team serving the preK- 9 th Grade School Market. Working knowledge of adoption process at the State or District level a plus.
• Experience with Microsoft D365 or similar Tier 1 ERP platforms a plus
• Experience with analytics and PowerBI a plus. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, strong Excel knowledge.
• Bachelor’s Degree required.
  
  
  

Ideal attributes:

• Strong engagement and effective leadership in strategic sales growth, revenue generation and deepening customer relationships. Highly customer centric.
• Demonstrated ability to articulate a vision for Sales and to rally support around his/her vision.
• Proven track record of cross-functional collaboration, team building and persuasive leadership.
• Excellent communication skills, including formal group presentations.
• Data-driven and analytical skills
• Champion of change; adaptable and agile, flexible
• Proactive and resourceful in solving problems, making decisions, and executing on goals.
• Performance-driven
• Ability to effectively multi-task
  
  
  

Physical Demands:

• Standing – up to 70% of the time
• Sitting – up to 50% of the time
• Lifting – 0
• Computer usage – 25%
• Travel – up to 33%
  
  
  

We are a drug-free workplace and an EEO employer.

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