Direct Sales Specialist

The Group:

Morningstar`s Business Development Team seeks a highly motivated Direct Sales Specialist focused on growing revenue and building relationships within our largest strategic accounts. Aligned with the SVPs of Business Development for those accounts, you will deepen our footprint within key areas.

The Role:

By focusing on growing adoption of Morningstar Direct, our core institutional platform, you will further represent Morningstar`s solutions to address our clients’ most pressing workflow challenges through additional services, including reporting solutions. This role covers opportunities across the U.S., and will require approximately 30% travel. This position is based in our Chicago office.

Responsibilities:

• Exceed growth targets
• Work closely with the Strategic Account Executive and Customer Success teams to uncover client business needs and determine optimal solutions
• Establish and build relationships with key stakeholders, in collaboration with the Strategic Account Executive and Customer Success Manager
• Identify new business groups and opportunities within the accounts
• Employ winning strategies to maintain and grow adoption of Morningstar Direct and leverage the installed user base to deploy additional solutions
• Master product demonstrations and knowledge of product capabilities and benefits
• Forecast and proactively uncover opportunities within key business groups
• Negotiate and close business
• Develop growth plans for accounts
• Document daily activities in CRM
• Be a team player

Qualifications:

• Candidates should have 3+ years of business development, sales and/or account management experience in the finance and investment industry
• Experience with consultative selling methods within a licensing business model
• Proven track record of exceeding prior targets
• Hands-on, organized individuals who can build long-term client relationships
• Strong leadership, long-range planning, and time-management skills are essential
• Excellent verbal and written communication abilities and the ability to deliver professional and persuasive presentations
• Ability to understand complex investment requirements
• A bachelor’s degree required; MBA or CFA a plus

Compensation and Benefits

At Morningstar we believe people are at their best when they are at their healthiest. That’s why we champion your wellness through a wide-range of programs that support all stages of your personal and professional life. Here are some examples of the offerings we provide:

• Financial Health
• 75% 401k match up to 7%
• Stock Ownership Potential
• Company provided life insurance - 1x salary + commission

• Physical Health
• Comprehensive health benefits (medical/dental/vision) including potential premium discounts and company-provided HSA contributions (up to $500-$2,000 annually) for specific plans and coverages
• Additional medical Wellness Incentives - up to $300-$600 annual
• Company-provided long- and short-term disability insurance

• Emotional Health
• Trust-Based Time Off
• 6-week Paid Sabbatical Program
• 6-Week Paid Family Caregiving Leave
• Competitive 8-24 Week Paid Parental Bonding Leave
• Adoption Assistance
• Leadership Coaching & Formal Mentorship Opportunities
• Annual Education Stipend
• Tuition Reimbursement

• Social Health
• Charitable Matching Gifts program
• Dollars for Doers volunteer program
• Paid volunteering days
• 15+ Employee Resource & Affinity Groups

Morningstar’s hybrid work environment gives you the opportunity to work remotely and collaborate in-person each week. While some positions are available as fully remote, we’ve found that we’re at our best when we’re purposely together on a regular basis, typically three days each week. A range of other benefits are also available to enhance flexibility as needs change. No matter where you are, you’ll have tools and resources to engage meaningfully with your global colleagues.