Steve Schwartz
Highland Park,IL
Summary
Dynamic sales leader with a proven track record at Comcast Spotlight, driving revenue growth through strategic planning and team leadership. Expert in account growth strategies and KPI reporting, consistently exceeding sales goals. Recognized for coaching and mentoring high-performing teams, delivering exceptional results in competitive markets.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Area Sales Manager
Funeral Directors Life Insurance Company
01.2021 - 01.2024
- Directed a team of 11 sales associates to deliver preneed funeral services across four states.
- Achieved over 120% of sales goals during two years, ranking in top 5% of Sales Managers.
- Developed integrated marketing programs for funeral homes to improve service awareness.
Sales Director
Platinum Sanitation
Northbrook, USA
01.2020 - 01.2021
- Delivered a 25% increase in the client base and 40% increase in total sales volume within 6 months of joining the company.
- Created and implemented a comprehensive sales and marketing plan for 2020, which included expanding the sales team; hired 3 new Sales Consultants to service 10 million sq. ft. of industrial and retail space.
- Chicagoland’s leader in anti-bacterial and anti-viral deep cleaning decontamination services.
Director, Family Services
Service Corporation International
Oak Lawn, USA
01.2018 - 01.2020
- Oversaw a team of Sales Consultants providing services for families throughout the Chicagoland area.
- Increased sales volume by 22% YOY in 2018 by developing a sales plan that focused on serving pre-arranged services in 47 states throughout the US.
- Delivered an 18% YOY profit improvement in 2019 by recruiting, hiring, and training a 13-member sales and support staff; improved sales efficiency by delivering a 15% cost reduction.
- North America’s largest provider of funeral and cemetery services.
Senior Sales Consultant
Advanced Commercial Roofing
Muncie, USA
01.2016 - 01.2018
- Expanded the client base 25% within the first 12 months of joining the company.
- Consistent top performer hitting all Key Performance Indicators (KPI), including in total estimates, digital drawing development, and proposed solutions to clients.
- Achieved a successful turnaround of a dormant territory, resulting in a 30% YOY sales increase, along with a 20% increase in job profitability by selling at list vs. base.
- Specialized in commercial roofing projects throughout an 8-state region.
Owner & Proprietor
Pleez, LLC
Highland Park, USA
01.2012 - 01.2015
- Launched the upscale restaurant, bar, lounge, and entertainment concept in Highland Park, and personally managed purchasing, inventory, marketing, promotions, PR, staffing, training, and vendor relationship management.
- Oversaw all aspects of the business, from concept and launch to day-to-day management, sales, business development, account management, and marketing.
- Delivered steady revenue growth each year while managing sales and marketing, including a 20% YOY sales volume increase between years 2 and 3, as well as an 18% expense reduction in the same year.
- Upscale restaurant, bar, lounge, and entertainment concept.
Advanced Media Division Manager
Comcast Spotlight
Chicago, USA
01.2007 - 01.2012
- Managed the advertising sales division of Comcast Cable, driving revenue from local, regional, and national advertisers through on-air, online, and on-demand media solutions.
- Consistent top performer exceeding all individual, team, and company sales goals; promoted from Sales Manager to Division Manager in 2010.
- Delivered YOY revenue increases at the team level in back-to-back years upon joining the organization (2007, 2008); exceeded sales goals by 40% in 2010, and by 65% in 2011.
SVP, Sales and Marketing
Schatz Development / Urban R2 Development
Chicago, USA
01.2004 - 01.2007
- Originally joined the residential real estate development partnership focused on mid-to-large-scale development projects in the Chicago market as VP of Sales and Marketing, and was promoted in just 10 months to Senior Vice President.
- Led a 10-member team comprised of sales, marketing, design, and administrative reports.
- Directed all marketing activities with a full-service advertising agency, creative and production agency, web design agency, and strategic partners, with annual sales volume exceeding $165M.
- Residential real estate development partnership focused on mid-to-large-scale development projects in the Chicago market.
Division Manager, Real Estate Advertising
Chicago Tribune Company
Chicago, USA
01.1998 - 01.2004
- Promoted from Sales Manager to Division Manager in 2003, with direct accountability for leading a 13-member sales team and $70M in total revenue volume.
- Consistently exceeded division revenue objectives, averaging greater than 110% of plan over a 5-year span.
Education
Bachelor of Science (BS) - Marketing, Business Administration
University of Illinois
Skills
- Sales operations leadership
- Account growth strategies
- Strategic planning and execution
- Territory management
- Budgeting and forecasting
- Business development and marketing
- Customer service and support
- Relationship management
- Coaching and mentoring
- KPI reporting at executive level
- Team leadership
Timeline
Area Sales Manager
Funeral Directors Life Insurance Company
01.2021 - 01.2024
Sales Director
Platinum Sanitation
01.2020 - 01.2021
Director, Family Services
Service Corporation International
01.2018 - 01.2020
Senior Sales Consultant
Advanced Commercial Roofing
01.2016 - 01.2018
Owner & Proprietor
Pleez, LLC
01.2012 - 01.2015
Advanced Media Division Manager
Comcast Spotlight
01.2007 - 01.2012
SVP, Sales and Marketing
Schatz Development / Urban R2 Development
01.2004 - 01.2007
Division Manager, Real Estate Advertising
Chicago Tribune Company
01.1998 - 01.2004
Bachelor of Science (BS) - Marketing, Business Administration
University of Illinois