“Don’t change the goal, change the plan.”
Josh Grove is a dynamic and accomplished sales executive whose career trajectory reflects a steadfast commitment to excellence, a passion for team development, and a track record of driving sustainable revenue growth in the education technology sector. With over a decade of high-impact sales leadership, Josh has consistently delivered exceptional results across a range of roles at some of the industry’s most influential companies, including Newsela and Formative.
Currently serving as Sales Manager of Small-Medium Business at Newsela, Josh leads a team of seven sales professionals responsible for the entire U.S. SMB education market, including charter schools and districts with fewer than 3,000 students. His scope also encompasses the international education sector and the New York City Department of Education, managing over $5 million in client business. As a cross-functional strategist, Josh has played a pivotal role in shaping go-to-market plans for new product lines and acquisitions, with an eye on capturing a total addressable market exceeding $10 million. Under his leadership, the team has not only met but exceeded aggressive forecasts, posting top-tier results and establishing itself as a performance benchmark within the company.
Josh’s impact was equally significant during his tenure as Director of Partnerships, Mid-Market at Newsela. There, he exceeded quota by 140% in Q4 and became a central figure in supporting marketing and sales enablement through expert training on both Formative and Newsela platforms. He facilitated the successful rollout of major product launches and developed innovative pricing models in collaboration with finance and executive leadership.
At Formative, Josh served as Senior Account Executive during a transformative period marked by the company’s acquisition by Newsela. He distinguished himself early, closing the largest contract in company history—$200K in his first year—and expanding it to $250K within a year. Recognized as a subject matter expert, he supported leadership with strategies around new product placements, state-level partnerships, and conference engagements, helping cement Formative’s position as a vital player in EdTech.
Earlier in his career, Josh held a range of progressively senior roles at Newsela, from Senior Sales Development Representative to Inside Sales Executive and Team Lead. These roles honed his operational expertise, from pipeline generation and sales forecasting to training, hiring, and process optimization. His consistent quota-shattering performance—up to 500% to goal—and repeated recognition as “Representative of the Quarter” underscore his effectiveness as both a front-line closer and team motivator.
Beyond his corporate achievements, Josh is also a published author of Everything in Life Has a Purpose, released in December 2023 and selling over 250 copies in its first month on Amazon. His entrepreneurial spirit is matched by a commitment to giving back, demonstrated through volunteer work with organizations like Cycle for Survival, DreamRide for Special Olympics, and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. He also consults for tech companies, offering strategic insights grounded in years of frontline sales experience.
Josh holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing and Human Resources from the University of Buffalo, where he earned Dean’s List honors and membership in the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. His technical proficiency spans industry-standard platforms including Salesforce, SalesLoft, HubSpot, Marketo, and Gong—ensuring that he not only leads but also empowers others with the tools for success.
A charismatic leader, insightful strategist, and resilient builder of people and processes, Josh Grove continues to leave an indelible mark on the education technology landscape—transforming organizations, mentoring teams, and pursuing purpose in all that he does.
Character
Josh Grove embodies integrity, resilience, and a purpose-driven mindset, consistently showing up as a dedicated leader who inspires his teams through example, empathy, and a deep-rooted commitment to both personal and professional growth.
Knowledge
With a strong foundation in business administration and a decade of hands-on experience in EdTech sales, Josh brings expert-level understanding of market dynamics, client engagement strategies, and cross-functional leadership across complex sales cycles.
Strategic
Josh demonstrates a sharp ability to develop and execute high-impact sales strategies, spearheading multi-million dollar initiatives, optimizing go-to-market plans, and scaling revenue through data-driven decision-making and agile adaptation.
Communication
A compelling communicator and published author, Josh connects authentically with stakeholders at all levels, from mentoring team members to negotiating major contracts and delivering strategic insights that foster alignment and drive results.
