Service Line Specialist - Software Platform Engineering - Retail, CG

Service Line Sales - Software, Platform Engineering (SPE) for Retail

Location: West coast (Seattle, Portland, Bay area preferred)

Level: Associate Director

Cognizant is one of the world's leading professional services companies, redefining clients' business, operating, and technology models for the digital era. Our outstanding industry-based, consultative approach helps clients envision, build, and run more innovative and efficient businesses. Headquartered in the U.S., Cognizant, a member of the NASDAQ-100, is consistently listed among the most admired companies in the world. Learn how Cognizant helps clients lead with digital at www.cognizant.com.

We are looking for a multifaceted, results oriented, commercial leaders in software platforms and engineering field keen to be part of a high-reaching culture accelerating digital change for our large, sophisticated clients. Additionally, you will have specialized familiarity and experience in Retail where we are looking to drive growth and excellence

Service Line Sales Specialists (SLS) are field sales executives passionate about crafting, pursuing, and closing opportunities in nominated industry markets. We work collaboratively with and within client accounts to support retail vertical industry growth.

The Service line sales specialist will provide deep expertise in one or more of the SPE (Software and Platform Engineering) Practice supporting Cognizant's client account teams in vertical markets and their account expansion plans into new markets and business areas.

The Service Line Specialist will be a "trusted advisor" to both the client and the Cognizant Client Partner blending strategic, tactical and 'street savvy' sales experience.

Grow and run the SPE portfolio with an emphasis on proactive growth, P&L targets, stakeholder management, and innovation. A strong technologist who can walk the floor and be the SPOC for SPE Sales. Demonstrate thought leadership within SPE Retail practice.

Handle translation of business problems into IT solutions & work with BU; assist sales team qualifying prospects

Participate with sales and account teams in performing select account penetration strategies

Build a proactive pipeline across the SBU in new areas and SLs for SPE

Be responsible for advising the deal pursuit process end to end within the service line

Collaborate with account commercial and engage with client to explore opportunities and better define desired business outcomes, through workshops/digital dialogues/demos/PoCs

Collaborate with solutioning / Architecture team in originating how solutions can improve client business

Get equipped and trained to credentialing deals with customers though deep subject matter expertise & experience in the specific markets (industry/geo)/practice area

Thought leadership:

Engage with clients to position the SPE Service Line & Retail Practice area expertise

Define thought leadership & portfolio strategy, publish, educate the market and drive commercial conversations

Identify market gaps, opportunity for new offering development

Develop offering strategy and roadmap aligned with the most attractive growth segments of the market

Functional/Practice knowledge: Understanding of Modern Engineering methodology, user centric design, and ability to generate, lead all aspects of actionable and impactful roadmap that actively engages the organization to achieve strategic breakthroughs

Technical prowess: Deep technical expertise in Functional/Practice area to bring together practice offerings to address customer needs, and to build proof of concepts if needed, as well as credentialize solutions

Industry knowledge: Deep knowledge of IT services in Retail & Consumer; ability to communicate across customers

Commercial knowledge: Ability to analyze sales opportunities and qualify leads and opportunities

Executive Presence: Effective executive communication skills to clearly articulate vision and lead effective teams across the enterprise; efficiently challenge counterparts, bringing valuable insights

Relationship management: Outstanding interpersonal abilities; skilled in being an excellent partner with executive leadership and business units, effectively aligning partners to strategic plans and mediating conflict

Leadership experience: Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills to build strong Strategy function and lead by example; strong project management, budgeting, talent management, and business operations skills

• Sales Experience: 10+ years of experience in consultative selling of software engineering and experience design services/solutions, including both custom developed and platform based solutions.
• Knowledge of Retail and/or Consumer Goods domain and shown experience in this domain for 2+ years
• Demonstrated ability to run entire sales lifecycle from opportunity identification (focus on farming) to negotiation/contracting.
• Capable of working with clients to envision, structure and specify solution requirements. Proven ability to close deals ranging in size from $250K to $5M+
• 5+ years of shown experience in software development and implementation areas.
• Solid understanding on current industry trends and capabilities in software, experience and quality engineering subject areas.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills. Capable of structuring and editing presentations and proposals bringing to bear content that is both self-generated and provided by colleagues
• Self-drive, flexibility and ownership of objectives
• Logical and structured approach to communicating opinions/views and interpretation of information
• Tried ability to influence decisions makers and develop followership among colleagues and subordinates

The annual salary is between $165,000 - $175,000 depending on experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

This position is also eligible for Cognizant's discretionary annual incentive program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant's applicable plans.

Benefits: Cognizant offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:

• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance
• Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off
• 401(k) plan and contributions
• Long-term/Short-term Disability
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Why Choose Cognizant?

It takes a lot to succeed in today's fast-paced market, and Cognizant has taken its place as a leader in the industry. We love big ideas and even bigger dreams. We stand out because we put human experiences at the core.

We help clients engage customers by envisioning and building creative business solutions. But we don't stop there. We develop outstanding strategies and invent entirely new business models, ensuring that every company we work with walks away with both reassurance and a plan.

Everything we do at Cognizant we do with passion-for our clients, our communities, and our organization. It's the defining attribute that we look for in our people.