Pre Sales Consultant

We are one of the UK's largest software companies, developing a range of solutions covering the whole enterprise and delivering right-first-time solutions, which solve customer problems, save money and deliver significant impact to user's lives. With more than 19,000 customers relying on our systems & infrastructure, our Sales team help to make the complex simple, as we become one of the UK technology industry's success stories. We're growing fast and building an exciting future.Pre-Sales Consultant (PSC)The Pre Sales Consultant plays a key role in the successful transition of customers. The primary responsibility is to provide support to the Sales Teams throughout the sales process and to ensure that we deliver the best possible solutions and meet targets for sales growth. The PSC will engage with potential customers from the start of the sales process and ensure that we fully understand their requirements. The PSC will then work alongside the sales team to present a solution that meets the customer's requirements. Fundamental to the role will be an ability to articulate the solution back to the customer by means of proposals, presentations and value driven solution demonstrations that differentiate Advanced.Learning and Development:As part of our commitment the successful applicants will undergo an extensive and comprehensive training schedule to train in all aspects of Pre-Sales development and product knowledge. Specifically we will provide a suite of on-going learning, based on key areas:Product knowledge - learning the detailed workings of our key solutions and how to present these to clientsMarket Knowledge - understanding the drivers in Education and learning the detailed specifics of the market and how we address business pains in that areaSituation Knowledge - you will go through a specific program of training on Demonstration and Pre-Sales skills, developing your own ability to meet the demanding challenges of the role.Business Knowledge - You will learn more about the business, the people and key stakeholders and gain development in key areas that will benefit you in the role now and in future roles.Responsibilities:Contribute at all stages of the Pre-Sales process including:Assisting with the qualification of business opportunities through discoveryLeading and coordinating system demonstrations Configuring demonstration environments to meet the requirements of client, but also entering data to support demonstrations.If required, working with the bid team to support tenders, completing bid responses/answering technical questions for customers and prospectsTraining internal members of staff in the use of the solution when requiredSupporting work on internal promotion of solution set, to ensure consistent messaging across teams i.e. Sales, Services, Support etc.Be responsible for the maintenance of demonstration environments and keep them up to dateWork with key staff on product launches and GTM initiativesSupport the Marketing and Sales Enablement functions in preparing a library of Sales Collateral and materials for use by field based Pre-Sales and Sales teams. Specifically creating a library of short focused video demonstrations Skills and experience required:Specific Pre-Sales experience is not necessary as we will provide training. However, the successful candidates will demonstrate a number of key skills and attributesKnowledge of Education Software and ServicesUnderstanding of sales process, solution, and consultative selling.High level technical knowledge; software, environments, database technologies.Commercial awareness: ability to understand and develop return on investment, cost and margin analysis.Advanced level of Microsoft Office proficiency with ability to create custom presentations.Good basic presentation and communication skills to small audiencesExcellent organisation and communication skillsAbility to multi task and prioritise under pressure Self-motivated to deliver a quality service both internally and externallyAdaptable to work independently or part of a teamDemonstrable ability to build relationships with customers, prospects and colleaguesAbility to develop business analysis skills in understanding customers' requirements and key drivers Accountabilities and performance:Complete required training and development objectives within the assigned time frame.Following each area of the training programs the successful candidate will be required to demonstrate their knowledge and learning.Additional as part of the day to day activity the successful candidate will be measured by:Supporting the delivery of sales targets alongside personal targetsBe adaptable to business requirements/needs