About the OpportunityAt Ellucian, we're transforming how higher education experiences technology - and helping institutions realize the true value of modernization.
As a
Strategic Business Advisor (SBA) within the Solution Sales Organization, you'll serve as a trusted advisor to colleges and universities, helping them translate their mission and goals into measurable business outcomes powered by Ellucian's SaaS and AI solutions.
This isn't a traditional presales role. It's about connecting purpose to performance - helping institutions define their path to transformation, quantifying value at every step, and ensuring Ellucian is seen as a strategic partner in delivering results. You'll work side-by-side with Account Executives, Solutions Consultants, and Platform Architects in a cross-functional Pod, shaping strategy, crafting narratives, and proving the impact of technology innovation.
The Strategic Business Advisor is the voice of value realization within every Pod. You connect institutional purpose with Ellucian's innovation - ensuring every engagement leads to measurable outcomes and long-term success.
As Ellucian transforms how higher education experiences modernization, your work ensures customers don't just buy technology - they achieve transformation.
Where You'll Make an Impact- Lead executive discovery sessions with institutional stakeholders to understand strategic goals, challenges, and operational constraints - translating these into measurable business objectives.
- Build compelling value frameworks and ROI models, helping institutions visualize and quantify the impact of SaaS modernization and AI-enabled solutions.
- Collaborate across roles to design and position end-to-end Ellucian solution sets that align with customer outcomes, not just features.
- Shape solution narratives that elevate the conversation from "how it works" to "why it matters" - inspiring institutional confidence and accelerating decision-making.
- Support pursuit strategy with Account Executives, including RFP consultation, executive presentation preparation, and opportunity qualification.
- Serve as the voice of the customer, ensuring business insights and priorities inform Ellucian's product roadmap, messaging, and services strategy.
- Represent Ellucian externally through speaking engagements, higher education conferences, and regional user groups - positioning yourself as a thought leader in institutional transformation and value realization.
What You Will Bring- Proven consultative sales or solution experience (5+ years) within enterprise SaaS, professional services, or higher education transformation.
- Deep understanding of higher education business operations, including student lifecycle management, finance, HR, and advancement functions.
- Demonstrated ability to quantify value - experience building ROI models, business cases, or value realization frameworks for executive audiences.
- Exceptional communication and storytelling skills, with the ability to engage presidents, provosts, CFOs, and CIOs around strategic transformation.
- Strong collaboration mindset, thriving in cross-functional Pod environments that include technical, business, and strategic perspectives.
- Comfort with data and AI concepts, and the ability to translate technical capabilities into institutional impact narratives.
- Experience influencing complex buying cycles, managing multiple stakeholders, and shaping executive decision processes.
- Obvious passion for education, innovation, and helping institutions achieve their mission.
- A strategic thinker and storyteller, equally skilled in analytical rigor and inspirational communication.
A trusted advisor who builds deep relationships based on insight, empathy, and integrity.
A bridge builder who can translate between institutional needs, solution architecture, and measurable outcomes.
A lifelong learner, energized by data, technology, and the evolving landscape of higher education.
What makes #Ellucianlife- Comprehensive health coverage: medical, dental, and vision
- Flexible time off
- Thrive Flex Lifestyle Account (LSA) that allows you to contribute towards your health, financial or learning interests
- 401k w/ match & BrightPlan - to help you save for the future
- Parental Leave
- 5 charitable days to support the community that supports us
- Telemedicine
- Wellness
- Headspace Care (mental health)
- Wellbeats (virtual fitness classes)
- RethinkCare & Wellthy- caregiver support
- Diversity and inclusion programs which provide access to internal employee resource groups
- Employee referral bonuses to encourage the addition of great new people to the team
- We Foster a learning culture with:
- Education Assistance Program
- Professional development opportunities
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