Job Title: Director of Sales
Organization: American Retirement Association
Location: Hybrid (On-site 3+ days/week, Arlington, VA) or Remote
Position Type: Full-Time | Exempt
About Us
At the American Retirement Association (ARA), we are dedicated to empowering retirement professionals to help all Americans achieve a secure retirement. We do this through education, advocacy, and innovation. Join our collaborative, mission-driven team and help shape the future of retirement in America.
Position Summary
We’re looking for an experienced Director of Sales to lead revenue generation across two complementary lines of business offered by the Plan Sponsor Council of America (PSCA), a division of the American Retirement Association: PSCA’s education and conference offerings, and individual licenses for Knowa powered by PSCA, an AI-powered governance platform purpose-built for 401(k) and 403(b) plan sponsors. This role is responsible for developing new business, expanding existing client relationships, and delivering tailored solutions that align with client operational, compliance, and participant engagement needs.
The Director will manage the full sales lifecycle—from prospecting through close—while serving as a strategic partner to organizations navigating complex administrative and regulatory environments.
Key Responsibilities
Drive sales performance by identifying opportunities, building pipelines, and closing business to meet or exceed revenue targets
Deliver compelling product presentations and proposals, including pricing, terms, and contract negotiations
Maintain accurate records of sales activities, forecasts, and pipeline metrics; analyze performance trends and market conditions
Build and sustain strong client relationships with plan sponsors, service providers, and industry stakeholders through proactive communication and ongoing account management
Collaborate cross-functionally with product, marketing, and leadership teams to align client expectations with product capabilities
Provide consultative guidance to clients on aligning budgets, engagement strategies, and participant-focused outcomes with appropriate solutions
Support broader sales initiatives and contribute to overall performance across multiple offerings
Qualifications
Skills & Competencies
Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills
Demonstrated ability to negotiate and close complex, consultative sales engagements
Ability to build credibility with sophisticated buyers in a compliance-driven environment
Strong organizational, time management, and project management skills
Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data and adjust strategies accordingly
Adaptability in a dynamic, client-driven environment
Knowledge & Experience
Working knowledge of sales principles, pipeline management, and forecasting
Experience selling products or services directly to HR professionals or benefits administrators strongly preferred
Background in HR technology, benefits administration software, or similar HR services sales a plus
Minimum of 5 years of relevant sales experience within a related ecosystem
Technical Proficiency
Experience with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce)
Experience with SaaS environments
Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools
Comfort leveraging emerging technologies, including AI-enabled tools
Education
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
Additional Information
Travel: Occasional travel required, including periodic overnight trips
Physical Requirements: Ability to perform standard office functions, including prolonged sitting and light lifting of materials
Why Join Us?
You’ll represent a brand that plan sponsors have trusted since 1947, with an existing membership base that gives you a foundation most sales roles simply can’t offer. At PSCA, you’re not cold-calling into a skeptical market; you’re bringing relevant, credible solutions to an audience that already knows and values us. And with Knowa powered by PSCA, you’ll have a genuinely differentiated product in a space that’s ready for it.
We offer:
Competitive salary
Comprehensive benefits
Hybrid workplace or remote work
Opportunities for professional development
Employee Benefits
ARA offers its full-time director-level employees a robust benefits package that includes:
Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
Life Insurance
Short-Term & Long-Term Disability Insurance
Profit Sharing 401(k) Plan
Defined Benefit Pension Plan
Health Savings Account
Flexible Spending Account
Eleven Paid Holidays
Twenty-three Days of Paid Time Off
Two Hours of Personal Leave Per Month
Parental Leave
Hybrid Work Arrangement (Telework on Mondays and Fridays)
Commuting/Telework Benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Membership in Absorb Learning Management System
Membership in You Need a Budget (YNAB)
Membership in Experian My Financial Expert
Membership in Calm App
Spot Pet Insurance Discount
Worldwide Travel Assistance Program
Will Preparation Services
Equal Opportunity Employer
American Retirement Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer. American Retirement Association provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
Ready to Make an Impact?
Apply now to join a team that’s helping build a secure retirement future for millions of Americans.