Senior Account Executive - Education & Public Sector

Union Office (UOI) is a Boston-based commercial furniture dealership with longstanding alignment with Allsteel/HNI — one of the most comprehensive and competitive product portfolios for institutional buyers. We serve the full New England market across corporate, life sciences, education, healthcare, and government sectors, delivering end-to-end workplace solutions from programming through installation.The education and public sector markets represent a significant and growing opportunity for UOI. With Allsteel/HNI's robust cooperative purchasing contract access — we are positioned to move fast with institutional buyers who need compliant, competitive paths to quality solutions.What You'll Do Business Development & Pipeline ManagementIdentify, qualify, and develop new business opportunities within K-12, higher education, state/local government, and other public sector institutions across New EnglandBuild and manage a structured sales pipeline with 12-24 month opportunity horizons; maintain accurate forecasting in CRMRespond to, complete, and track formal bids, RFPs, and RFQs submitted to government and educational agenciesAttend relevant industry events, association meetings and campus planning forums to build pipeline and visibilityClient Relationship ManagementServe as the primary UOI contact for assigned education and public sector accounts across the full project lifecycle — from initial discovery through post-installation follow-upBuild and maintain relationships with key institutional decision-makers: facilities directors, VP of Administration, procurement officers, department heads, campus planners, and A&D firms serving the education sectorUnderstand the unique procurement constraints, budget cycles, and approval structures of institutional buyers; structure proposals accordinglyConduct site visits, space assessments, and discovery meetings to understand client needs before presenting solutionsManage existing institutional relationships and identify expansion opportunities within installed accountsConsultative Selling & Solution DevelopmentLead client presentations and furniture solution demonstrations; translate complex product capabilities into client outcomesPartner with UOI's design team to develop space plans, specifications, and finish packages that meet institutional budget and performance requirementsDevelop and present project proposals, budgetary estimates, and product narratives tailored to institutional audiencesMaintain current knowledge of Allsteel/HNI product lines relevant to education and government environments — including collaborative furniture, flexible classroom solutions, private office, lounge, and outdoor systemsStay current on competitor activity, pricing, and contract vehicles used by peer dealerships in the regionInternal Collaboration & ExecutionWork closely with project management and operations to ensure seamless delivery, installation, and client sign-off on all projectsCoordinate with internal teams on quote generation, order entry, and acknowledgment trackingProvide accurate, timely information to the team to ensure smooth order execution and client communicationParticipate in regular sales team meetings, pipeline reviews, and manufacturer rep engagement sessionsWhat You Bring Required5+ years of B2B sales experience; contract furniture, commercial interiors, or related industry requiredDemonstrated experience selling into higher education, K-12, state/local government, or other institutional/public sector accountsWorking knowledge of cooperative purchasing vehicles and how institutional buyers use themFamiliarity with formal procurement processes: RFPs, RFQs, bid submissions, and contract compliance requirementsStrong relationship-building skills; proven ability to cultivate trust with institutional procurement officers, facilities directors, and academic administratorsSelf-directed with strong organizational skills; able to manage a long-cycle pipeline across many accounts simultaneouslyProficiency in CRM tools and Microsoft Office SuiteBachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Interior Design, or related field preferredCompensationCompensation is negotiated individually and structured to reflect the candidate's experience, existing institutional relationships, and market coverage. First-year total compensation includes a base salary guarantee.#J-18808-Ljbffr