📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Content Specialist (California)
🔹 Company: HMH
🔹 Location: California, United States (Remote - Must reside in California or live in a neighboring state near a major airport.)
🔹 Job Type: Full-time, Remote
🔹 Category: Education, Sales, Customer Success
🔹 Date Posted: April 8, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
1. Content Expertise: Delivering customized pre-sales presentations tailored to customer and sales needs, requiring a strong content and pedagogy background.
2. Sales Support: Collaborating with sales partners to understand customer needs and position HMH's products effectively.
3. Customer Engagement: Engaging in customer conversations to gain information around a highly content connected solution for all customers.
4. Presentation Planning: Creating engaging and persuasive presentations that reflect product strengths while aligning with market issues, curriculum trends, and customer needs.
5. Travel Requirements: Extensive travel up to 80% - driving and flying, with irregular hours including weekends.
*ASSUMPTION:* This role requires a high level of flexibility and adaptability, as well as strong communication and presentation skills to engage diverse audiences.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Presentation Delivery: Deliver pre-sales webinars and live presentations customized to customer and sales needs, using tools such as Camtasia and Zoom.
✅ Content Creation: Create engaging and persuasive content for RFP submissions, sales opportunities, and pilots.
✅ Customer Conversations: Engage in pre-sales customer conversations to explore solution opportunities and recommend both programs and services.
✅ Subject Matter Expertise: Learn and demonstrate understanding of assigned disciplines, including core, supplemental, and intervention products, as well as associated technology.
✅ Salesforce Navigation: Navigate Salesforce, Outlook, evaluations, and reports as required.
✅ Collaboration: Work with Account Executives, Solution Support Group Directors, peers, and Service managers to understand client needs and transfer knowledge to pre-sales and post-sales assignments.
✅ Product Positioning: Customize the sales message with awareness of customer needs, campaign issues, and competitive knowledge.
✅ Objection Handling: Handle customer questions and overcome objections during presentations.
✅ Competitor Analysis: Utilize knowledge of competitors' products to enhance product positioning.
✅ Sales Opportunity Capitalization: Communicate information regarding customer needs to the Account Executive and Manager to capitalize on sales opportunities and position products effectively.
*ASSUMPTION:* The role may require additional responsibilities based on business needs and the candidate's skills and interests.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education:
* Bachelor's Degree is a minimum requirement, with a Graduate Degree preferred.
Experience:
* Ideal candidates will have five years of K-5 teaching experience, with a Math background being a plus.
Required Skills:
* Excellent communication and presentation skills
* Strong content and pedagogy background
* Digital literacy and familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite, Teams, Zoom, and Camtasia
* Collaboration skills
* Highly organized and able to transfer strategies into actions that deliver results
* Ability to lift and move up to 50 lbs on a regular basis
* Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record
Preferred Skills:
* Bilingual skills are appreciated but not required
*ASSUMPTION:* The ideal candidate will possess a unique blend of teaching experience, sales acumen, and strong communication skills to excel in this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $80,000 - $90,000 (plus variable compensation)
Benefits:
* Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
* 401(k) with company match
* Tuition reimbursement program
* Generous paid time off and holidays
* Employee assistance program
* Flexible work arrangements and remote work options
Working Hours: Irregular hours including weekends, with extensive travel up to 80% - driving and flying.
*ASSUMPTION:* The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles, experience levels, and locations. The actual salary may vary based on the candidate's qualifications and HMH's internal compensation structure.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Education technology and publishing
Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees
Founded: 1832 (as Houghton Mifflin Company)
Company Description:
* HMH is an adaptive learning company that empowers educators by delivering integrated K-12 learning solutions for core, supplemental, intervention, assessment, and professional learning.
* With a focus on what moves each learner, HMH creates personalized learning experiences that foster growth and build lasting momentum for all students.
* The company serves 50 million students in 150 countries and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment.
Company Specialties:
* Education solutions
* Interactive learning
* Education publishing
* Learning technology
Company Website:
*ASSUMPTION:* HMH's commitment to innovation, research, and data-driven decision-making enables the company to create effective learning solutions that meet the diverse needs of students and educators worldwide.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-career to senior-level role, with opportunities for growth and advancement within the organization.
Reporting Structure: The Content Specialist will report directly to the Sales Manager or Sales Director, depending on the specific team structure.
Work Arrangement: This role requires extensive travel, with irregular hours including weekends. The candidate must be comfortable with a flexible work schedule and be willing to adapt to changing priorities and deadlines.
Growth Opportunities:
* Developing expertise in multiple content areas and advancing to a senior content specialist or management role.
* Transitioning into a sales, marketing, or product management role within the organization.
* Exploring opportunities in professional development or instructional design as the company continues to expand its offerings.
*ASSUMPTION:* The ideal candidate will be proactive in seeking out growth opportunities and taking initiative to expand their skillset and advance their career within HMH.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Remote work environment with occasional on-site meetings and training sessions.
Office Location(s): California, with a preference for candidates living near a major airport for ease of travel.
Geographic Context:
* California is the most populous state in the U.S., with a diverse range of climates, cultures, and educational needs.
* The state is home to numerous school districts and educational organizations, providing ample opportunities for HMH to engage with customers and showcase its products and services.
Work Schedule: Irregular hours including weekends, with extensive travel up to 80% - driving and flying.
*ASSUMPTION:* The ideal candidate will be comfortable working in a remote environment and managing their time effectively to balance travel, customer interactions, and internal team collaboration.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
1. Online application submission through the provided link.
2. Phone or video screening to assess communication skills and cultural fit.
3. In-depth behavioral interviews to evaluate problem-solving skills, adaptability, and sales acumen.
4. Final round interviews with key stakeholders, such as the Sales Manager or Director, to discuss the role and company culture in more detail.
5. Background and reference checks, followed by an offer and onboarding process.
Key Assessment Areas:
* Communication and presentation skills
* Sales acumen and customer engagement
* Problem-solving and adaptability
* Cultural fit and alignment with HMH's mission and values
Application Tips:
* Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant teaching experience, sales skills, and any experience working with educational technology or publishing.
* Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your ability to handle objections, adapt to diverse customer needs, and manage your time effectively in a remote work environment.
* Research HMH's products, competitors, and market position to demonstrate your industry knowledge and enthusiasm for the role.
ATS Keywords: Content Specialist, Sales, Customer Success, Education Technology, E-Learning, Pre-Sales, Presentation Skills, Customer Engagement, Remote Work, Travel, Salesforce, Microsoft Office Suite, Teams, Zoom, Camtasia, Teaching Experience, Math Background
*ASSUMPTION:* The interview process may vary based on the specific needs of the hiring manager or the organization, but the focus will remain on assessing the candidate's fit for the role and their potential to contribute to HMH's ongoing success.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
* Salesforce
* Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
* Teams
* Zoom
* Camtasia
* Outlook
* Evaluation and reporting tools (specific tools may vary based on the role and team)
*ASSUMPTION:* The ideal candidate will be comfortable learning and utilizing new tools and technologies as needed to perform their job effectively.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
* Innovation
* Collaboration
* Customer focus
* Integrity
* Inclusion
Work Style:
* Adaptable and flexible, with a strong focus on customer success
* Results-driven and proactive in seeking out growth opportunities
* Comfortable working in a remote environment and managing time effectively
* Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences
Self-Assessment Questions:
1. How do you align with HMH's commitment to innovation and continuous learning?
2. Describe a time when you had to adapt to a significant change in your work environment or priorities. How did you handle this situation, and what was the outcome?
3. How do you approach building and maintaining strong relationships with customers, even when faced with challenges or objections?
4. How do you prioritize and manage your time effectively when working remotely, with irregular hours and extensive travel?
*ASSUMPTION:* The ideal candidate will be able to articulate their alignment with HMH's values and provide concrete examples of their ability to adapt, engage customers, and manage their time effectively in a remote work environment.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
1. Travel Requirements: Extensive travel up to 80% - driving and flying, with irregular hours including weekends, may present challenges for candidates with family or personal commitments.
2. Remote Work Environment: Working remotely may require strong self-motivation, time management, and communication skills to maintain productivity and engagement with colleagues and customers.
3. Sales Targets: The role may involve meeting specific sales targets and quotas, which may add pressure and require a strong focus on customer success and effective time management.
4. Market Competition: The education technology and publishing market is competitive, and candidates may face challenges in differentiating HMH's products and services from those of competitors.
*ASSUMPTION:* The ideal candidate will be able to address these challenges proactively and demonstrate their ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced work environment.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
1. Content Specialist vs. Sales Development Representative (SDR): While both roles focus on customer success and sales growth, the Content Specialist role requires a strong content and pedagogy background, as well as extensive travel and presentation skills. The SDR role, on the other hand, may involve more administrative tasks, such as lead generation and qualification, with less focus on content creation and delivery.
2. Industry-specific Context: The education technology and publishing industry is unique in its focus on student growth and learning outcomes. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their understanding of educational trends, curriculum standards, and assessment strategies to demonstrate their fit for the role.
3. Career Path Comparison: The Content Specialist role may provide a pathway to senior sales, marketing, or product management roles within the organization, while the SDR role may lead to opportunities in sales management, customer success, or operations.
*ASSUMPTION:* The ideal candidate will be able to articulate the unique value they bring to the Content Specialist role and how their skills and experiences align with the specific needs of the education technology and publishing industry.
📝 Sample Projects
1. Customized Pre-Sales Presentation: Develop a customized pre-sales presentation tailored to a specific customer's needs, incorporating their unique challenges, goals, and HMH's relevant products and services.
2. Customer Success Story: Create a case study or success story highlighting HMH's impact on a specific customer's outcomes, demonstrating the value of the company's products and services in addressing real-world educational challenges.
3. Product Demonstration Video: Produce a Camtasia video showcasing HMH's products and features, with a focus on the benefits and unique selling points that differentiate the company's offerings from those of competitors.
*ASSUMPTION:* The ideal candidate will be able to provide concrete examples of their ability to create engaging and persuasive content, as well as their understanding of HMH's products and services and their value in the education technology and publishing market.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
1. What are the most significant challenges facing the education technology and publishing industry, and how does HMH address these challenges?
2. How does HMH support the professional development and growth of its employees?
3. What are the key priorities for the Content Specialist role in the first 90 days, and how can I contribute to these goals from day one?
4. How does HMH measure the success of its Content Specialists, and what are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this role?
5. What opportunities are there for growth and advancement within the organization, and how can I position myself for these opportunities?
*ASSUMPTION:* The ideal candidate will be proactive in asking insightful questions that demonstrate their understanding of the role, the industry, and HMH's business goals and objectives.
📐 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
1. Submit your application through the provided link: [Application URL]
2. Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant teaching experience, sales skills, and any experience working with educational technology or publishing.
3. Prepare for phone or video screening interviews to assess your communication skills and cultural fit.
4. Participate in in-depth behavioral interviews to evaluate your problem-solving skills, adaptability, and sales acumen.
5. Complete final round interviews with key stakeholders to discuss the role and company culture in more detail.
6. Successfully pass background and reference checks.
7. Follow up with the hiring manager or HR representative within one week of your interview to express your interest in the role and reiterate your qualifications.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
