Associate Director - Service Line Sales Executive – Software Engineering Group - Technology Domain

Cognizant is one of the world’s leading AI Builder and technology services providers, bridging the gap between AI investment and enterprise value. The Associate Director - Service Line Sales Executive will focus on growing revenue and managing client relationships within the Software Engineering Group, developing strategies to penetrate accounts and drive business development efforts.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and champion Cognizant’s SEG offerings in market
• Set the go to market and growth strategy for SEG in assigned portfolio
• Collaborate across multiple practices and offerings
• Work closely with Client Partners, solutioning and delivery and overall team to develop client strategy and transformation roadmap
• Provide subject matter expertise and own lead generation, pipeline management, proposal development and overall solution
• Execute and manage the account plan within function/specialism in collaboration with the Markets team
• Client Relationship Management; engage with CXO, VP and Director level clients
• Lead pursuits as a pursuit owner to close new and expansion opportunities related to their sales specialisms, working closely with Client Leadership Team
• Respond to and deliver on client requests; responds to RFP’s
• Engage the relevant internal Cognizant practices teams and service lines team for developing solutions
• Create and present account Pipeline ; QBR presentations and executive status reports
• Experience developing opportunity pipelines, qualifying high priority deals, and winning new business in line with agreed targets (revenue as well as total contract value)
• Experience closing sales with a specific emphasis on growing sales. Specifically, win new deals in customer account per pre-agreed targets
• Proven leadership qualities such as conflict/issue resolution, strategic and critical thinking and ownership, particularly with highly diverse teams
• Ability to work collaboratively in a highly matrixed environment

Requirements:

• Consistent record of growing a business successfully over the years through strong client relationships and a strategy tailored to client context and business goals
• Strong software product engineering, digital / App Modernization, Application Maintenance and quality engineering sales background
• Able to engage COO-level and COO-1 level executives in large deal, solution, transition, and transformation shaping discussions
• Effectively communicates with stakeholders at all levels including COO, LoB Owners, and his/her direct reports
• Technology domain – Solid understanding of technology industry domain and trends
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills
• Demonstrated strong leadership skills, particularly with highly diverse teams
• 5+ years of experience in a senior-level application services seller with good knowledge and prior experience and a strong track record in selling digital / cloud / AI solutions
• Software Product Engineering approaches, agile methodology and building green fields application using cloud and AI native solutions
• Familiarity with large-scale Enterprise Application modernization and migration using Micro-services architecture and cloud native solutions with DevOps
• Candidate should have a strong domain experience in one of the 4 areas of Software Product Engineering or Enterprise application modernization, Application Maintenance / Support and Quality Assurance with a good understanding of at least one of the other three areas
• Understanding drivers and enablers of digital transformation within companies
• Ability to work with global teams
• Excellent problem solving, business communication (written & oral), and client management skills are essential
• Ability to build client relationships; strengthening partnerships by focusing on exceptional client experience, risk management and value realization built on the foundation of Cognizant leadership capabilities
• MS or MBA degree preferred
• Strong background in a project environment and application development
• Certifications in Cloud and AI preferred
• Proven ability to contribute to new business development efforts and to lead and manage multiple tasks in a dynamic environment
• Must be detail oriented and able to manage and maintain all facets of complex assignments
• Demonstrable problem-solving abilities with the aptitude to identify strategic solutions to business problems with enterprise-wide implications
• Demonstrate the flexibility to work among diverse corporate environments, industries, and technical and non-technical audiences