Sales Director/Account Executive - Retail

Cognizant is seeking a Sales Director/Account Executive to drive strategic growth across the Retail and Consumer Goods industry. The role focuses on acquiring new clients, expanding accounts, leading complex sales pursuits, and selling Cognizant’s services and solutions.

Responsibilities:

• Drive aggressive hunting and new logo acquisition across strategic Retail and Consumer Goods accounts, developing and executing account acquisition and expansion strategies that generate net-new business and accelerate revenue growth
• Lead end-to-end sales pursuits, including opportunity identification, qualification, solution development, proposal creation, negotiations, and closure, while building a strong pipeline through proactive prospecting and executive networking
• Act as the primary account lead, establishing trusted advisor relationships with C-level executives and positioning Cognizant’s full portfolio of services including Application Development & Maintenance, Engineering & Testing Services, Infrastructure Services, Business Process Outsourcing, Information Technology Outsourcing, and Consulting Services
• Create and execute territory and account plans that maximise market coverage, identifying cross-sell and up-sell opportunities to scale accounts at pace and achieve annual bookings, pipeline, and quota targets
• Collaborate with client partners, practice leaders, solution and delivery teams, and offshore marketing and sales support to develop differentiated value propositions, execute account-based campaigns, and maintain accurate pipeline, forecasting, and CRM hygiene
• Consistently demonstrate the Cognizant Way to Lead through strategic agility, client value creation, AI-led innovation, disciplined execution, collaborative ecosystem building and amplifying human potential through a culture of growth, inclusion and effective human-AI collaboration

Requirements:

• 15+ years of experience with a global consulting, technology services, or outsourcing organisation in onshore/offshore sales environments, including at least 5 years selling consulting, digital transformation, technology, or outsourcing services into Retail and Consumer Goods organisations
• Proven experience carrying and exceeding annual sales quotas of $4M+ within enterprise sales environments, with success closing complex, multi-service deals ranging from $5M to $50M+ and a consistent record of consecutive quarterly and annual quota attainment
• Strong hunting background with demonstrated success acquiring new logos and building business from greenfield accounts, selling Application Development & Maintenance, Engineering & Testing Services, Infrastructure Services, Business Process Outsourcing, Information Technology Outsourcing, and Consulting Services
• Strong executive presence with the ability to engage and influence senior business and technology decision-makers, managing multiple strategic pursuits simultaneously while driving predictable revenue outcomes
• Strong account planning, territory management, pipeline development, and sales execution capabilities, with excellent negotiation, communication, presentation, and relationship management skills, and a Bachelor's degree
• Demonstrated ability to lead with strategic vision, client-centric thinking, innovation, disciplined execution, collaboration and a commitment to developing people in line with the Cognizant Way to Lead
• Proven track record of building trust, demonstrating ownership, exercising sound judgment and fostering an inclusive culture that supports growth and associate success
• Proven ability to contribute to new business development initiatives and lead multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills with the ability to develop strategic solutions for enterprise-wide business challenges
• Ability to work effectively across diverse corporate environments, industries, and technical and non-technical stakeholder groups
• Experience thriving in complex, fast-evolving environments by translating strategy into action, fostering cross-functional collaboration and championing continuous learning and curiosity