**Experienced Manager State & Higher Education - Remote Work Opportunity at blithequark**

About blithequark At blithequark, we're more than just an airline – we're a community that comes together to deliver on our Purpose: connecting People to what's important in their lives through friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel. As a leader in the travel industry, we're committed to investing in the future of our People and executing strategic direction to drive growth and success. Our Southwest Business Department is at the forefront of this effort, and we're seeking an experienced Manager State & Higher Education to join our team. Job Summary We're looking for a seasoned Manager State & Higher Education to lead our efforts in the State, Local, and Higher Education (SLED) managed travel accounts. As a key member of our Southwest Business Department, you'll be responsible for coaching and professionally developing our Field Government Account Managers and designated portfolio management. Your goal will be to increase sales, establish formal partnerships, and broaden awareness of our corporate travel programs and services to these critical accounts. About the Role As a Manager State & Higher Education at blithequark, you'll have the opportunity to: * Lead a team of Field Government Account Managers and designated portfolio management to drive sales growth and establish formal partnerships with State, Local, and Higher Education managed travel accounts * Coach and professionally develop your team members to ensure they have the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the managed travel industry * Identify and hire top talent to join our sales organization of trusted Advisors in the managed travel industry * Develop and implement strategies to increase sales, establish formal partnerships, and broaden awareness of our corporate travel programs and services to SLED managed travel accounts * Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive business growth and success * Stay up-to-date on industry trends and best practices to ensure our team is always ahead of the curve Responsibilities As a Manager State & Higher Education at blithequark, your key responsibilities will include: * Leading a team of Field Government Account Managers and designated portfolio management to drive sales growth and establish formal partnerships with SLED managed travel accounts * Coaching and professionally developing team members to ensure they have the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the managed travel industry * Identifying and hiring top talent to join our sales organization of trusted Advisors in the managed travel industry * Developing and implementing strategies to increase sales, establish formal partnerships, and broaden awareness of our corporate travel programs and services to SLED managed travel accounts * Collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive business growth and success * Staying up-to-date on industry trends and best practices to ensure our team is always ahead of the curve * Traveling for training, meetings, conferences, and other business-related activities (approximately 10-20% of the time) Requirements To be successful in this role, you'll need: * A bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or a related field * At least 5 years of experience in sales, account management, or a related field * Proven track record of success in leading teams and driving sales growth * Excellent communication and interpersonal skills * Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and adapt to changing priorities * Strong analytical and problem-solving skills * Experience working in the managed travel industry is a plus Preferred Qualifications While not required, the following qualifications would be a plus: * Master's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, or a related field * Experience working in a leadership role in the managed travel industry * Certification in sales or account management (e.g. Certified Sales Professional (CSP), Certified Account Manager (CAM)) * Experience working with State, Local, and Higher Education managed travel accounts Skills and Competencies To succeed in this role, you'll need to possess the following skills and competencies: * Strong leadership and coaching skills * Excellent communication and interpersonal skills * Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and adapt to changing priorities * Strong analytical and problem-solving skills * Experience working with sales teams and driving sales growth * Knowledge of the managed travel industry and its trends and best practices * Ability to stay up-to-date on industry trends and best practices * Strong business acumen and understanding of the airline industry Career Growth Opportunities and Learning Benefits At blithequark, we're committed to helping our employees grow and develop their careers. As a Manager State & Higher Education, you'll have the opportunity to: * Participate in regular training and development programs to stay up-to-date on industry trends and best practices * Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive business growth and success * Take on additional responsibilities and leadership roles as you grow and develop in your career * Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support your mental and physical well-being * Opportunities to participate in community outreach and volunteer programs Work Environment and Company Culture As a remote worker at blithequark, you'll have the flexibility to work from anywhere, while still being part of a dynamic and collaborative team. Our company culture is built on the values of: * Respect: We respect each other's differences and perspectives. * Integrity: We act with integrity and honesty in all our interactions. * Teamwork: We work together to achieve our goals and support each other's success. * Innovation: We're always looking for new and better ways to do things. * Customer Focus: We're committed to delivering exceptional customer experiences. Compensation, Perks, and Benefits As a Manager State & Higher Education at blithequark, you'll receive: * Competitive salary and bonus structure * Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance * 401(k) matching program * Paid time off and holidays * Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support your mental and physical well-being * Opportunities to participate in community outreach and volunteer programs How to Apply If you're a motivated and experienced leader looking for a new challenge, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity. Please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your qualifications and experience. We can't wait to hear from you! Apply Now! Note: U.S. citizenship or current authorization to work in the U.S. is required, and no current or future work authorization sponsorship is available. This role is offered as a remote workplace position, which may require travel for training, meetings, conferences, etc. Outside of those required visits, the majority of your working time may be spent in a remote location, away from our Corporate Campus. Please note, while this is a remote position, there is a limited group of states or localities ineligible for Employees to regularly perform their work. Those ineligible locations are: Alaska, California, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming. Apply for this job