About IRIS
IRIS Software Group is one of the UK's largest privately held software companies, trusted by 100,000+ businesses, schools and accountancy firms to keep their operations running. Our software pays 1 in 6 UK employees, supports over 12,000 schools, and is relied on by 91 of the top 100 UK accountancy firms.
We're a Great Place to Work® certified employer, recognised for our commitment to well-being, inclusion and development - and we're growing fast.
Senior Account Development Executive – Education 📚
📍 Location: South of England / Field-based
💼 Department: Sales – IRIS Education
🏢 Company: IRIS Software Group
The Role
We’re looking for an experienced and driven Senior Account Development Executive to join our IRIS Education sales team, covering customers across the South of England.
You’ll be responsible for growing revenue across your territory by developing relationships with existing and prospective education customers, understanding their challenges and identifying where IRIS solutions can add value.
This is a consultative sales role where you’ll own opportunities from initial conversation through to close, working closely with internal teams to deliver the right solutions for our customers.
What You’ll Be Doing 🚀
Own and develop a portfolio of customers and opportunities across the South of England
Identify and generate new business and growth opportunities
Build strong relationships with key decision-makers across schools, trusts and education organisations
Understand customer challenges and position relevant IRIS Education solutions
Manage the full sales cycle, from prospecting and discovery through to proposal, negotiation and close
Build and maintain a healthy pipeline to achieve revenue targets
Deliver product demonstrations and commercial presentations where required
Develop account and territory plans to identify opportunities for growth
Work collaboratively with Customer Success, Marketing, Product and other Sales teams
Maintain accurate pipeline and forecasting information within the CRM
Stay informed on developments and challenges within the UK education sector
What We’re Looking For ⭐
Strong B2B sales experience, ideally within SaaS, software or technology
Proven experience managing and closing complex sales opportunities
A track record of achieving or exceeding sales targets
Confident generating your own opportunities through proactive business development
Strong account management and relationship-building skills
Comfortable engaging with senior stakeholders and decision-makers
Commercially minded with strong negotiation skills
Able to manage a territory and prioritise multiple opportunities effectively
A consultative approach to sales with the ability to understand customer needs and demonstrate value
Self-motivated, proactive and comfortable working independently
Desirable 👀
Previous experience selling into the education sector
Experience working with schools, Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) or education groups
SaaS or education technology experience
Experience selling multiple products or solutions across an account
Why Join IRIS? 💜
You’ll be joining a successful and growing team within IRIS Software Group, working with technology that supports organisations across the UK education sector.
You’ll have the opportunity to take ownership of your territory, build strong customer relationships and develop your career within a large and established software organisation.
If you’re an experienced salesperson who enjoys building relationships, developing new opportunities and closing business, we’d love to hear from you.
Why You’ll Love Working Here
Impact: Your work will influence millions globally.
Growth: Continuous learning and career development opportunities.
Belonging: A culture that celebrates diversity and empowers every individual.
Ready to Apply?
Click Apply - we’re excited to learn about your unique perspective and experience. If you need adjustments during the process, let us know. We’re committed to making this opportunity accessible to everyone.
What to expect from our hiring process
Our process is designed to be fair, transparent and straightforward. Stages vary depending on the role — more senior positions may involve additional steps, and some areas include role-specific assessments such as a technical test or case study — but typically you can expect:
Application review — we assess your experience and potential
Initial call — a short conversation to learn about you and share more about the role
Skills assessment — tailored to the position, e.g. case study, coding challenge or portfolio review
Final interview — meet the team and explore how you'll make an IMPACT at IRIS
We'll always walk you through the specific stages at the start of the process so you can prepare with confidence.
If you need any adjustments or accommodations during the process, let us know, we’re committed to making this experience accessible for everyone.
About IRIS IRIS Software Group is one of the UK's largest privately held software companies, trusted by 100,000+ businesses, schools and accountancy firms to keep their operations ...
