Institutional & Education Sales Manager

Position Overview

We are seeking an Institutional & Education Sales Manager to lead and grow our institutional sales channel across our entire multi-state footprint. In this role, you will own relationships with colleges and universities, performing arts centers, K-12 school districts, houses of worship, hospitality venues, and other institutional clients. You will serve as a trusted advisor, helping organizations identify the right piano solutions — acoustic, digital, and hybrid — to support their musical, educational, performance, and community engagement goals.

This is a high-autonomy, high-trust field role. You will manage the full institutional pipeline from first conversation through delivery and follow-up, representing Solich Piano and the Yamaha brand at the highest professional level.

Location and Travel Requirements

Candidates must currently reside in (or be willing to relocate to) one of the following states: Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, or western Pennsylvania. Preference will be given to candidates based in or near one of our primary service markets: Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Detroit, Traverse City, or Pittsburgh.

This position requires regular travel to all Solich Piano markets and service territories, including overnight travel. A valid driver’s license and the ability to maintain a consistent multi-market travel schedule are required. Travel expenses are reimbursed.

Responsibilities

•      Develop, own, and grow relationships with colleges, universities, performing arts centers, K-12 schools and districts, houses of worship, hospitality organizations, and other institutional customers across all Solich Piano markets.

•      Travel throughout the territory to conduct customer visits, presentations, campus and facility assessments, and follow-up meetings.

•      Identify and pursue opportunities for new piano sales, replacement and trade-up programs, practice room solutions, institutional loan programs, and performance venue upgrades.

•      Present acoustic, digital, and hybrid piano solutions tailored to each organization’s needs, goals, and budget cycle.

•      Coordinate piano demonstrations, evaluations, artist events, and special institutional programs in partnership with showroom teams.

•      Prepare quotes, proposals, bid responses, and sales agreements, and manage opportunities through the full institutional sales cycle, including procurement and board approval processes.

•      Build and maintain a healthy institutional pipeline with accurate records and activity tracking in the company CRM.

•      Attend conferences, festivals, workshops, and educational events (including MEA conferences and collegiate events) to represent Solich Piano and develop new business relationships.

•      Collaborate closely with showroom staff, piano technicians, and delivery and logistics personnel to ensure flawless delivery, installation, and after-sale service for every institutional client.

•      Partner with company leadership and Yamaha institutional and higher education teams on strategic accounts and programs.

•      Achieve established sales goals while providing outstanding customer service and fostering long-term institutional partnerships.

Required Qualifications

•      Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with confidence engaging faculty, administrators, worship leaders, facility managers, procurement officers, and organizational leadership.

•      Strong written and verbal communication and professional presentation skills.

•      Proven ability to work independently while managing a multi-market travel schedule and an active sales pipeline.

•      Strong organizational, time management, and follow-through skills.

•      Understanding of the institutional and higher education sales cycle, including budget timing, procurement, and multi-stakeholder decision-making.

•      Demonstrated problem-solving ability and a customer-focused mindset.

•      Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint) and experience with CRM systems.

•      Ability to play basic piano repertoire and confidently demonstrate piano features during customer meetings.

•      Valid driver’s license and ability to travel extensively throughout the assigned region, including overnight stays.

•      Current residence in Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, or western Pennsylvania (or willingness to relocate).

•      Passion for music and a genuine desire to support music education and artistic communities.

Preferred Qualifications

•      Bachelor’s degree in Music, Music Education, Business, Marketing, or a related field.

•      Experience in outside sales, consultative sales, or institutional account management.

•      Experience working with colleges, universities, K-12 schools, performing arts centers, churches, or other institutional organizations.

•      Familiarity with acoustic and digital pianos or the broader musical instrument industry.

•      Background in music performance, music education, or piano instruction.

•      Existing relationships within the regional music education community.

What We Offer

•      Competitive base salary plus performance-based bonuses.

•      Travel expense reimbursement.

•      The backing of an established, respected Yamaha dealership with a growing multi-state footprint.

•      A collaborative team of musicians, educators, technicians, and sales professionals who care deeply about music and the institutions we serve.