Higher Education Sales Representative (Chicago) at Packback · Chicago

Packback’s mission is to empower every student to be fearlessly curious and find their unique voice.

These few words shape everything we do at Packback from the smallest decision to the largest. Over the last decade since our company’s founding, our team has seen first-hand the power of giving students intentionally designed spaces in their learning experience to be autonomous and curious. We have also seen the incredible benefits of using AI technology to shorten feedback loops and help students revise their work before they submit.

Packback is a pedagogy partner that uses technology as a “means to an end” to shorten feedback loops for students and instructors, improve writing and critical thinking skills, and cultivate student-centered, trust-based educational learning environments.

Who we are

Packback team members are passionate, mission-driven lifelong learners. Many of us spent time as educators in classrooms and have experienced first hand just how draining the day to day of educating can be. We have seen the gap between the most and least prepared students grow wider every year. The pressure to close that gap has once rested directly on our shoulders, and we understand the enormous cost of addressing that gap, and also not addressing that gap.

Some of us were intrinsically motivated students, the “teacher’s pets” who never want to stop learning. Some of us were the distracted or unmotivated students who wished their instructors would have adopted the pedagogy behind Packback. But all of us share a passionate commitment to our purpose.

About the role

We’re looking for a driven and passionate Field Sales Representative to lead new business development across Chicago, IL and surrounding areas. If you're energized by face-to-face engagement, building relationships with educators, and making a tangible impact, this role is for you.

You'll travel frequently to college campuses, meeting directly with professors to introduce them to Packback, guide them through the decision-making process, and close new business. You'll work closely with our Customer Success team to ensure successful onboarding.

What you'll do

• Build relationships with professors and faculty through on-campus visits (3 days/week)
• Expand adoption at universities with existing usage and open new accounts at untapped schools
• Conduct product demos and deliver engaging, in-person presentations
• Support your campus activity with email, phone, and LinkedIn outreach
• Strategically manage your territory to prioritize high-potential opportunities
• Hand off new faculty to Customer Success post-sale to support implementation
• Track your work and pipeline using CRM tools

Qualifications

• 1–4 years in a sales role (education, publishing, edtech, or similar)
• Experience selling to professors, teachers, or academic audiences
• Familiarity with campus culture and academic workflows
• Strong organizational skills and independence in managing a territory
• A passion for education, curiosity, and a positive, team-oriented mindset
• Willingness and ability to travel 50–75% of the time across your region

Additional Information:

Sponsorship: Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S without the need for sponsorship. Packback does not offer visa sponsorship for this role.

Location: Greater Chicago, IL area

Salary: Base salary: $75,000–$80,000 with On Target Earnings of $136,500 (uncapped commission)

Why work at Packback?

Build a meaningful career while building the future of education as a part of a company culture that fosters the growth, safety, and creativity of its employees.

Intentional Culture

Packback knows that the single most important part of any company is its people. We take building and maintaining a conscious and intentional culture of open communication, curiosity, and leadership extremely seriously. We collectively commit to make Packback a safe environment where people can focus on doing great work instead of dealing with drama.

Career Development

Packback’s career development paths present a unique balance between clarity and guidance around defined paths, and room for our team to create their own path. Each team has its own career development tracks with support and training, and still allow for customization of these paths to create a role where a team member’s full passions and abilities are put to use!

Thoughtful Benefits

• 12 weeks of paid leave for welcoming new children
• Multiple Health and Welfare Benefit Options (Medical, Dental, Vision)
• 401k plan (with employer matching)
• Flexible + Remote Work Opportunities
• Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Employer Assistance Program (EAP)
• Calm and DoorDash subscriptions