Manager, Business Development - University

Manager, Business Development – University

Location: Northeast US (within reasonable commuting distance of a major airport)

ASSA ABLOY is a global leader in door opening solutions dedicated to providing a safe, secure, and accessible building environment. Every day, we help billions of people move through a safer, more open world with ease. If you’ve ever walked through an automatic door, stayed in a hotel, or gone through passport control, you’ve probably used one of our products or services. ASSA ABLOY’s offerings include products and services related to locks, doors, gates, and entrance automation such as controlling access and confirming identities with keys, cards, tags, mobile and biometric identity verification systems, mechanical and digital locks, cylinders, security doors and automated entrances.

Are you as passionate as we are about servicing our customers in the healthcare, school, university, military, and commercial building setting?  We provide unsurpassed security and life-safety solutions and the essential support services (LEED consultation, code compliance, access control system integration, product research and selection, specification writing services, technical support, etc.) to ensure well-functioning doorway systems in the commercial building industry.  If so, we have an exciting opportunity with our ASSA ABLOY sales team that is meant for you.

What you will be doing:

This role drives sales growth in the higher education market through consistent account engagement, relationship development, and execution of strategic initiatives. It focuses on expanding DSS presence, creating and converting opportunities, developing university-specific strategies, and promoting the complete brand portfolio offered by Door Security Solutions.

Key responsibilities:

• Engage target and strategic university accounts through proactive outreach and relationship building.
• Advance and convert high-value opportunities with DSS sales and field teams.
• Build and maintain relationships with key decision-makers in top-priority education accounts.
• Expand DSS market presence through events, tradeshows, and networking.
• Coach and support End User Specialists to ensure consistent execution and long-term success.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to align strategy, execution, and reporting.
• Drive specification, quotes, and sales growth for the university market within the assigned region.
• Complete individual development plan objectives and required training certifications.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Performance and expectations:

This role is evaluated on execution, impact, and results:

• Account Engagement: Build and maintain relationships in target and strategic accounts through consistent engagement. Success is measured by depth and consistency of engagement across territories.
• Opportunity Creation & Conversion: Create new project opportunities and support DSS in converting high-value projects into sales. Success is measured by new qualified opportunities and conversions.
• Design Guide Adoption: Drive specification, quotes, and adoption of DSS design guides. Success measured by implementation in strategic accounts and territory growth.
• Industry Presence: Represent DSS at tradeshows, events, and networking initiatives. Success measured by visibility, engagement, ROI, and influence in the university market.
• Team Enablement: Coach End User Specialists, share best practices, and drive accountability. Success measured by team performance, collaboration, and contribution as confirmed by territory leadership.

Strategic Contributions:

• Develop and execute a university business plan and vertical market initiatives.
• Participate in business reviews, webinars, and key vertical market organizations.
• Create compelling, story-based communication materials for the university segment.
• Support vertical market trade shows, events, and marketing initiatives.
• Complete consultative sales training certification (Wilson Learning).
• Support development of solution plans and programs that grow university business and support channel partners.
• Participate and complete monthly activity reporting for executive leadership, and maintain adequate updates to account and project activity in Salesforce.

What we are looking for:

• Entrepreneurial, team-oriented professional with high emotional intelligence.
• Understands team selling and works effectively across teams and cross-functional roles.
• Detail-oriented, organized, and known for strong follow-up habits.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, presentation, and time management skills.
• Strong business acumen, problem-solving, analytical skills, and data-driven decision-making.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and deliver compelling presentations.
• Ability to travel 70% of time, work from a home office or on the road, and lift/carry up to 50 lbs. of sample/display materials.

Education and/or experience:

• Your background includes a bachelor’s degree (preference for specialization in related field), or have work experience commensurate with, minimum high school/GED diploma. MBA preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in market management/business development in the door and security hardware industry or related.
• University work experience preferred.
• Experience in electromechanical/electronic access control products preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools and Salesforce preferred.

Organizational relationships:

• The Manager, Business Development – University will report to the Senior Director, Business Development. In addition, the Business Development Manager will team with other DSS resources (Architectural Consultants, Wholesale, Electromechanical Specialists, Persona, Integration Solutions Specialists, End User Specialists, etc.), as well as vertical market business development teams and product company associates as required to drive growth in the education market.

Special considerations:

• This position is critical to both short and long-term success with our university customers. Demand generation and provision of innovative product and channel solutions are vital to the sustained growth of our company.

ASSA ABLOY offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including bonus, a 401(k) plan, education assistance, company car, and an environment that reflects our commitment to our employees. The wage range for this role is $115K - $130K and considers a broad scope of factors that are considered when making compensation decisions. Pay within each range is based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, to primary work job-related knowledge, skills, experience, training, licensure and certifications, business requirements, geographic location and other business and organizational needs. This salary range is a reasonable estimate for this position at the time of posting. ASSA ABLOY conducts regular review of compensation ranges and therefore reserves the right to alter this range at any given time.

“Let’s open the doors to the future – together!”

Working for ASSA ABLOY means that you will be part of a dynamic environment, developing innovative solutions to improve our customers' lives. As the global leader in door opening solutions, we are using the latest technologies to open doors to events, hospitals, education, homes, hotels, airports and businesses. Joining ASSA ABLOY means being part of a fast-moving company with many opportunities.

Interested in learning more? If so, contact Jeremy Saline at Jeremy.Saline@assaabloy.com. 

ASSA ABLOY is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Minorities/Females/Disabled/Veteran

We are the ASSA ABLOY Group
Our people have made us the global leader in access solutions. In return, we open doors for them wherever they go. With nearly 63,000 colleagues in more than 70 different countries, we help billions of people experience a more open world. Our innovations make all sorts of spaces – physical and virtual – safer, more secure, and easier to access. 

As an employer, we value results – not titles, or backgrounds. We empower our people to build their career around their aspirations and our ambitions – supporting them with regular feedback, training, and development opportunities. Our colleagues think broadly about where they can make the most impact, and we encourage them to grow their role locally, regionally, or even internationally.

As we welcome new people on board, it’s important to us to have diverse, inclusive teams, and we value different perspectives and experiences.