Solution Engineer Higher Education
Job Summary
Join Salesforce's Global Public Sector Solution Engineering team to drive innovation in higher education institutions. You will collaborate with sales and product teams to design tailored technology solutions that modernize operations and improve learner experiences. This role focuses on bridging complex technical challenges with strategic business value to foster long-term digital transformation.
Responsibilities
- Manage technical sales cycle from discovery to close
- Design and present tailored Salesforce solutions for education
- Lead RFP/RFI technical responses
- Drive AI and Data product adoption and consumption
- Collaborate cross-functionally with sales and product teams
Required Skills
- 7+ years CRM/Salesforce experience in education
- Degree in Computer Science
- AI/LLM and Data certifications
- Deep knowledge of higher education administrative operations
- Expertise in technical presentation and discovery leadership
Job Details
### Job Responsibilities
- Lead the Solution Cycle: Collaborate closely with account executives, product specialists, and partners to drive the technical aspects of the sales cycle from discovery to close.
- Understand Institutional Needs: Engage with education institutions to deeply understand their unique challenges and strategic goals, mapping them to Salesforce's solutions.
- Position Salesforce as a Strategic Partner: Clearly articulate how Salesforce platform and products align to institutional initiatives, including preparing and presenting tailored demonstrations.
- Apply Industry and Technical Expertise: Translate education business processes into impactful technology solutions, differentiating Salesforce capabilities to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Support RFP and Proposal Processes: Lead the technical response to RFPs and RFIs, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities.
- Collaborate Across Teams: Work effectively with account teams, solution specialists, professional services, and partners.
- Stay Ahead of Industry Trends: Continuously build expertise in education challenges and technology trends.
- Achieve Performance Goals: Meet quarterly and annual objectives related to customer engagement, solution development, and revenue contribution.
- Invest in Professional Growth: Participate in training, certifications, and mentorship programs.
- Drive Consumption & Value Realisation: Support consumption and activation efforts to drive product adoption and reduce attrition risk.
- Consumption Estimation & Use Case Scoping: Partner with account teams to define and document use cases, estimate credit consumption, and build consumption plans.
- Agentforce & AI/Data Use Case Expertise: Develop and present Agentforce and Data360 Cloud use cases tailored to education institutions.
### Qualifications
- 7+ years of combined experience working with Salesforce or other CRM solutions, with a focus on education.
- 5+ years of experience in solution engineering, consulting, enterprise software delivery, or customer success.
- Required: A degree in Computer Science (B.S., Master's, or Ph.D).
- Artificial Intelligence and/or Data Certifications, Salesforce-preferred, related to generative AI and LLM concepts.
- Deep understanding of education operations, including student lifecycle management, academic operations, financial aid, student success initiatives, enrollment, and alumni relations.
- Strong technical acumen, with experience configuring and demonstrating Salesforce or similar enterprise platforms.
- Exceptional communication and presentation skills.
- Proven ability to lead discovery sessions and craft tailored solutions.
- Experience with RFP and proposal processes.
- Strong time management and prioritization skills.
- Collaborative mindset and ability to work cross-functionally.
- Open to travel for client meetings, presentations, and industry events, approximately 40%.