About the position
The Virtual Sales Associate plays a crucial role in the Yearbook Division at Jostens, focusing on the growth of established accounts by enhancing distribution penetration and delivering exceptional customer service and account management within designated territories. This position requires a blend of interpersonal and communication skills, the ability to forge strong professional relationships with teammates, yearbook representatives, and customers, as well as a competitive spirit and a passion for customer satisfaction. The associate must possess strong business acumen and align with Jostens' corporate values, ensuring that they can effectively advance sales in customer environments while balancing sales, service, and administrative responsibilities. In this role, the Virtual Sales Associate collaborates closely with yearbook representatives to retain, service, and grow established accounts. A thorough understanding of the middle school and high school market is essential, as is familiarity with consumer marketing processes that position Jostens as a strategic resource for customers. The associate will work with production constituents, including yearbook advisers and staff members, to establish Jostens as a partner in the yearbook creation process. This includes selecting, adapting, organizing, and executing consumer marketing strategies tailored to the unique circumstances of each customer, as well as leading the planning and execution of consumer promotional marketing plans within their territories. The role requires availability after hours and the use of a personal mobile device for communication. Associates may choose to distribute their office phone number if it is set to forward calls to their personal device when they are not present. This flexibility is crucial for maintaining strong communication with clients and ensuring that customer needs are met promptly.
Responsibilities
- Book and ad marketing to increase copies and revenue by developing and delivering localized school revenue/marketing plans.
- Manage JNET enrollments, school lists, CMP email campaigns, Exact Target emails, Plan and Promote emails, and YBA coverage reports.
- Advance sales by increasing copy count and ad revenue within existing accounts using digital, social, and in-school marketing.
- Regularly pull reports, check dashboards, and monitor progress of copy sales, ad sales, and list status, adjusting marketing efforts accordingly.
- Prioritize and make decisions involving customer communications, various deadlines, and school page creation support to strengthen on-time yearbook production.
- Assist with and monitor progress of cover specs, contracts, and renewals, providing technical and creative support for Layout Pro and Monarch.
- Initiate and conduct regular planning phone calls with assigned Reps to discuss and plan current and upcoming projects and tasks, tracking results and reporting status back to the Reps.
- Proactively assist and manage ongoing adviser communication through email/phone calls on behalf of the Reps using VSD Team best practices.
- Organize and coordinate cover specifications, production specifications, workshops, contests, adviser surveys, and other detailed projects.
- Keep contact information for prospect schools up to date in Salesforce, including calling schools when needed to gain this information.
Requirements
- Technical skills including computer literacy and proficiency with MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook), Salesforce, JNET, YBA, Layout Pro, and Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, and Acrobat.
- Ability to respond and adapt to frequent change and adhere to an established team working hours schedule.
- Attention to detail with excellent time management, organization, and prioritization skills.
- Strong decision-making, problem-solving, and analytical thinking skills.
- Ability to work efficiently with a high degree of accuracy and diligence in a virtual environment.
- Collaboration skills to work well both individually and in a team environment, maintaining a professional demeanor and sense of urgency.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate and problem-solve under stress.
- Preferred 2 years of previous yearbook experience within the schoolhouse or with Jostens, demonstrating knowledge of Jostens programs, products, and services.
Nice-to-haves
- Experience with digital marketing strategies and social media engagement.
- Familiarity with educational institutions and their operational processes.
- Previous experience in customer service or account management roles.
Benefits
- Competitive healthcare coverage including health, dental, and vision insurance.
- 401K match vested immediately.
- Accrued paid time off and company-paid holidays.
- Tuition reimbursement after 6 months of service.
- Pay transparency with a salary range of $45,000 to $47,000.
