Sales Director - Schools

Role Overview

Sodexo is hiring a Sales Director to drive new business growth across Tenessee, Kentucky and North Carolina within our Education (K–12 Schools) segment
. This is a high-energy, front-line hunter role for a sales professional who thrives on prospecting, opening doors, and winning complex, multi-year deals. You’ll represent Sodexo’s integrated portfolio—Child Nutrition Programs, Professional Services, and Facilities Management—partnering with school districts to improve student outcomes and operational performance. The ideal candidate brings grit, resilience, and a relentless go‑getter mindset, balanced with a strategic, consultative approach and a passion for mission‑driven impact in education.

50-60% travel expected. Candidate to reside within territory.

• Proactively hunt for and qualify new business and horizontal growth opportunities across the assigned geography and K–12 market.
• Own the full sales cycle—from cold outreach and discovery through solution development, pricing, negotiation, and contract close.
• Lead with a consultative, challenger mindset to uncover client pain points and position Sodexo’s integrated solutions as differentiated value.
• Build strong relationships with superintendents, district leaders, and C‑suite executives, acting as a trusted advisor throughout the buying process.
• Navigate a highly matrixed organization, collaborating with operations, finance, legal, marketing, and segment leaders to deliver winning solutions.
• Support client retention, rebids, and contract performance reviews while addressing risks to satisfaction, loyalty, and long‑term value.

Compensation is fair and equitable, partially determined by a candidate's education level or years of relevant experience. Salary offers are based on a candidate's specific criteria, like experience, skills, education, and training. Sodexo offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include:

• Medical, Dental, Vision Care and Wellness Programs
• 401(k) Plan with Matching Contributions
• Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
• Career Growth Opportunities and Tuition Reimbursement

More extensive information is provided to new employees upon hire.

• A proven hunter mentality with a track record of generating pipeline through proactive prospecting, persistence, and hustle.
• Grit, resilience, and a competitive drive—comfortable hearing “no,” pushing through obstacles, and staying focused on the win.
• Experience selling complex, multi‑service or enterprise‑level solutions, ideally in education, government, or other regulated environments.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to build ROI models, cost‑benefit analyses, and compelling value propositions.
• Disciplined use of Salesforce or similar CRM tools to manage pipeline, forecast accurately, and execute sales plans.
• Executive presence, strong negotiation skills, and the ability to influence and collaborate across diverse, cross‑functional teams.

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone and build a better life for all. We believe in improving the quality of life for those we serve and contributing to the economic, social, and environmental progress in the communities where we operate. Sodexo partners with clients to provide a truly memorable experience for both customers and employees alike.

We do this by providing food service, catering, facilities management, and other integrated solutions worldwide.

Our company values you for you; you will be treated fairly and with respect, and you can be yourself. You will have your ideas count and your opinions heard because we can be a stronger team when you’re happy s is why we embrace diversity and inclusion as core values, fostering an environment where all employees are valued and respected. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to individuals regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, sexual orientation, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

If you need assistance with the application process, please complete this form.

Minimum Education Requirement - Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience

Minimum Functional Experience - 7 years