Sales/Sales Management

RITA McGUIRE MURRAY

** ********** *****

Burr Ridge, Illinois 60527

708-***-**** **************@*****.***

OBJECTIVE

To obtain a sales representative or management position that will allow me to use my sales experience, knowledge and talent to their fullest extent .

CAREER SUMMARY

After beginning my career in education, I have had tremendous success as a sales representative and sales manager at two of the world’s most prestigious educational publishers.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Pearson Education, Glenview, Illinois 2000-present

District Sales Manager

Manages K-12 Curriculum division sales team for Pearson Education ‘s(formerly Pearson Prentice Hall and Pearson Scott Foresman) Northern Illinois territory. Reports to Regional Vice President and oversees 10 direct reports. Has met or exceeded sales goal ranging from $25M-$40M since 2001. Led the Illinois Textbook Funding as #1 of all publishers from 2003-2009, and achieved 95%-116% of sales quota each year in open territory for 10 consecutive years.

• Oversees Illinois Sales Team for “solution selling” to the state’s largest districts, including Chicago Public Schools, Rockford, Elgin, Plainfield and Peoria. Responsible for sales of textbooks, professional development, virtual online courses as well as supplemental, assessment resources and RTI solutions.

• Prepares yearly evaluation reports for 10 full-time direct reports. Continuously meet with reps throughout year to provide feedback and encouragement, assists in developing strategies for sales success and guide career development.

• Acts as liaison between outside sales force and senior Pearson management.

• Addresses concerns of key, high-level decision-makers in all districts.

• Serves on company-wide, cross-departmental Sales Advisory Board to identify best practices for Pearson’s sales reps and to create synergy and efficiencies across departments.

• Works closely with Marketing Department to plan customer events and develop sales collateral.

• Has regularly served on the committee to plan each annual National Sales Meeting.

• Mentors the District Manager for the State of California.

• From 2000-2007, managed the adoption state of Indiana including management of four sales reps while executing highly successful Indiana campaigns, generating over $45 million in revenue.

• From 2000-2003, significantly increased sales revenue each year as manager of Ohio.

Houghton Mifflin/McDougal Littell, Evanston, Illinois 1988-2000

Sales Representative

Managed relationships with customers in Houghton Mifflin’s Northern Illinois territories, achieving 97%-130% of sales quota each year.

• Generated sales of educational textbooks and supplemental technology in the highly competitive school districts of Lake, DuPage, Will and suburban Cook Counties in Illinois.

• Developed relationships with key decision-makers in the elementary, middle and high school levels to identify sales opportunities. Maintained excellent rapport with customers by addressing all concerns throughout adoption process. Presented district in-services to show educators how to use Houghton Mifflin’s products to maximum benefit.

• Served on Senior Representative Sales Board for 7 consecutive years. Elected by peers to this elite group that influenced sales strategies and direction for the entire company.

• Conducted effective sales presentations to school district audiences of up to 40 attendees.

• Represented sales force on 8 cross-functional committees charged with developing new textbooks. Worked with Editorial, Marketing, Finance teams on each committee.

AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

• District Manager of the Year Excellence, Pearson Education 2007, 2008

• President’s Club, Prentice Hall 2003-2004

• Senior Representative Board Member, McDougal Littell 1993-2000

• 20 Million Dollar Club Member, McDougal Littell 1999

• Sales Rep of the Year, McDougal Littell 1991, 1994, 1997, 2000

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

• Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development

• Illinois Middle School Association

• Metropolitan Mathematics Club

• Northern Illinois Educational Representatives Association

ACTIVITIES

• Northwestern Memorial Hospital Volunteer

• West Suburban BEDS Homeless Organization

• Holy Name Cathedral/Catholic Charities Homeless Dinners

• St. John of the Cross School Board Member, 1996-2000

• St. John of the Cross Parent Volunteer, 1986-1996

EDUCATION

Master of Science in Education

Chicago State University

Bachelor of Arts in Education

St. Norbert College

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