Higher Education Jobs 2026 (Now Hiring) – Smart Auto Apply

The salary range for this position is $42,200-$56,200.

Human Kinetics is headquartered in Champaign, IL. This position is eligible for on-site, hybrid, or remote work, depending on the applicant's location.

Remote workers may not reside in the following locations: CA, CO, Washington, D.C., HI, MA, Montgomery County, MD, MN, NM, NJ, NY, RI, & WA.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

Applicants are not obligated to disclose expunged juvenile records of adjudication, arrest, or conviction as part of the application process.

*Learn more about our perks and benefits here: https://us.humankinetics.com/pages/human-kinetics-compensation-benefits-informationHuman Kinetics is committed to building a more diverse workforce. We welcome BIPOC candidates and others who identify with underrepresented groups to apply.

Human Kinetics is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Human Kinetics will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact HR at 217-403-7540.

Human Kinetics Compensation & Benefits Information

Our compensation philosophy is to value the contributions of all HK employees and to reward exceptional performance exceptionally. To do that, we provide a standard increase to all HK staff, and we award merit increases and bonuses to people who make extraordinary contributions to the work we do.

Job Summary

The Sales Associate is responsible for implementing plans generating direct sales in the U.S. educational markets and with the for-profit accounts. They will promote the adoption of company resources through e-mail, phone, trade shows, and limited calls on university and college campuses. They will also act as the main point of contact when sales staff are traveling as well as assist with projects and research as needed.

Essential Functions

1.   Create and execute annual sales plans to best sell company textbooks and classroom resources to a specific territory in the Higher Education market.

2.   Analyze internal and external data provided by marketing staff to optimize contact and outreach within a sales territory.

3.   Through attending annual sales conferences and reviewing marketing brochures and catalogs, develop and maintain knowledge of HK products. Use this knowledge to increase customer awareness of HK products and to match customer textbook needs with appropriate HK products.

4.   Using Salesforce and other reporting tools, research and contact HK customers and adopters of competing textbooks via email, phone, and marketing efforts, promoting and securing new adoptions of current HK texts, upcoming releases, and other products.

5.   Create relationships with new customers and strengthen relationships with existing customers in the Higher Education market.

6.   Provide product information and customer service assistance to adopting institutions.

7.   Research and contact new schools and programs to increase awareness of HK products.

8.   Provide timely reporting and documentation related to projects, campus visits follow-up, campus notes, monthly reports, textbook feedback, and adoption information.

9. Conduct research projects as directed.

10. When sales managers are traveling for campus visits or are on vacation, take phone calls and emails from their customers and run Salesforce reports.

11. Work with marketing staff to effectively create mass e-mails for the academic market.

Secondary Functions1. Attend a limited number of trade shows.

2. Solicit feedback regarding HK products and ancillary materials, e-books, campus trends, legislation, etc. Pass this information along to appropriate HK staff and provide reporting through monthly reports.3. Actively participate and contribute during the Academic sales conference(s).4. Complete product quizzes as needed.5. Travel to campuses as needed (less than 10% travel).6. Must have valid U.S. driver's license and ability to rent a car in their name.7. Ability to travel via car/plane.

Job Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree or higher required.  Bachelor's degree or higher in physical education, sport management, exercise science, kinesiology or related field preferred.

Experience: Demonstrated sales/marketing skills required. Experience successfully selling into educational markets preferred.

Required Competencies: 

Proficiency with database, CRM, word processing, email and spreadsheets.

Excellent telephone interaction skills.

Self-confidence

Decision-making

Persuasiveness

Social ability/networking

Attention to detail

Customer focus

Written communication

Oral communication

Initiative

Integrity

Resourcefulness

Effort

Respect

Teamwork

Stewardship

Preferred Competencies:

Stress Tolerance 

Adaptability

Job Demands:

Office Equipment:

Frequent phone and computer use. Rare use of a copier.

Mental Demands:

Frequent decision making, data interpretation, organization, and reading/writing.

Occasional problem solving required.

Physical Demands:

Frequent sitting, occasional standing, lifting (40lbs), walking, and driving.

Rare carrying of items required.

Working Conditions:

Indoor, office environment.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Credit Card Security:

This position has access to customer credit card data and must comply with all policies and procedures designed to keep that data from being compromised.