Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Account Manager, Higher Education

at D2L

🏢 About D2L

D2L is a global leader in learning technology, specifically focused on transforming education through its Brightspace platform. The company stands out for its mission-driven approach to improving learning outcomes and its deep expertise in the higher education sector. Working at D2L offers the opportunity to impact education at scale while being part of a remote-first culture that values innovation in learning technology.

About This Role

This Senior Account Manager role focuses on managing the full lifecycle of higher education accounts, from renewals to expansion opportunities. You'll be responsible for building multi-level relationships with institutional decision-makers and demonstrating measurable business value through structured Quarterly Business Reviews. The role is impactful because you'll directly contribute to D2L's mission by ensuring educational institutions maximize their investment in learning technology.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day involves analyzing renewal data for upcoming contracts, preparing for Quarterly Business Reviews by reviewing client success metrics, and conducting virtual meetings with university stakeholders at various levels. You'll spend significant time identifying expansion opportunities through data analysis and client conversations while collaborating with internal teams to ensure client needs are met across the entire D2L platform.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who D2L Is Looking For

  • Has 5+ years of SaaS account management experience specifically with enterprise-level web applications in the education technology sector
  • Demonstrates proven success managing a large portfolio of accounts while consistently meeting or exceeding revenue quotas
  • Possesses deep expertise in higher education institutional structures, decision-making processes, and procurement cycles
  • Is skilled at building executive-level relationships and can speak fluently about ROI, learning outcomes, and institutional strategic goals

📝 Tips for Applying to D2L

1

Quantify your SaaS account management achievements specifically with higher education clients - include metrics like renewal rates, expansion revenue, and portfolio size

2

Highlight any experience with learning management systems (LMS) or educational technology platforms, even if not D2L's Brightspace

3

Demonstrate understanding of higher education procurement cycles and fiscal year timing in your resume bullet points

4

Show remote work proficiency by mentioning tools like Salesforce, Gainsight, or other CRM platforms used in distributed teams

5

Reference D2L's specific higher education clients or case studies to show you've researched their market position

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your experience managing complex renewal processes for SaaS products in higher education', 'Specific examples of identifying and executing upsell/cross-sell opportunities within existing accounts', "How you've successfully conducted Quarterly Business Reviews that demonstrated measurable value to clients", 'Your approach to building multi-threaded relationships across different levels of higher education institutions']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → D2L's Brightspace platform features and how they specifically serve higher education institutions
  • → Recent D2L case studies or client success stories in the higher education sector
  • → The competitive landscape of learning management systems in higher education (Blackboard, Canvas, Moodle)
  • → Current trends and challenges in higher education that D2L's platform addresses (student retention, online learning, accessibility)

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk me through how you would prepare for and conduct a QBR with a university provost and their team
2 Describe your process for identifying expansion opportunities in accounts that appear satisfied with current services
3 How do you handle a complex renewal negotiation with a university facing budget constraints?
4 What metrics do you track to demonstrate value to higher education clients beyond basic usage statistics?
5 How would you approach building relationships with both academic and administrative stakeholders at a large university?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Applying with generic account management experience that doesn't specifically address SaaS or higher education
  • Failing to demonstrate understanding of the unique sales cycles and decision-making processes in higher education institutions
  • Not being able to discuss specific strategies for managing a large portfolio of accounts while maintaining individual relationship depth

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to D2L!

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