Account Executive/Sales Director - Retail

Cognizant; Toronto; Remote; CAD 190,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Cognizant is seeking an Account Executive / Sales Director to drive strategic new logo acquisition and revenue growth across Retail & Consumer Goods. You will build executive relationships with leaders in retail, eCommerce, and DTC brands, lead end-to-end pursuits, and deliver compelling business cases while mentoring others.

The role emphasizes strategic vision, collaboration, and a strong track record in quota achievement, with travel as needed and a flexible remote work model in Canada.

Qualifications

• 20+ years of experience in enterprise sales and new logo hunting.
• Experience selling into retail, eCommerce, CPG and direct-to-consumer sectors.
• Proven ability to close large, multi-service deals.
• Strong executive engagement with CXOs and decision-makers.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills; proficient in CRM.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic sales plans to achieve revenue and growth.
• Build executive-level relationships with CXOs and decision-makers.
• Lead end-to-end sales pursuits from prospecting to closure.
• Deliver executive presentations, proposals, and business cases.
• Maintain accurate pipeline, forecasts, and CRM records.
• Represent Cognizant at industry events and mentor others.

Skills

Enterprise sales

New logo hunting

Strategic sales planning

Executive relationships

CRM forecasting

Cross-functional collaboration

Travel willingness

Tools

CRM software

Forecasting tools

Job description

As an Account Executive / Sales Director, you will make an impact by leading strategic new logo acquisition and revenue growth across the Retail & Consumer Goods vertical, winning net-new clients and building executive relationships with leading retailers, consumer products manufacturers, omnichannel organizations, eCommerce businesses, and direct-to-consumer brands. You will be a valued member of the Retail Sales team and work collaboratively with marketing, solution, delivery, consulting, and industry teams.

In this role, you will

• Develop and execute strategic sales plans to achieve revenue, TCV, bookings, and growth objectives within the Retail & CPG vertical, serving as a dedicated new logo hunter across retail, consumer packaged goods, eCommerce, omnichannel, and direct-to-consumer segments.
• Build and expand executive-level relationships with CXOs and key decision-makers, and create targeted market penetration strategies to establish Cognizant's presence within untapped Retail accounts.
• Lead end-to-end sales pursuits, including prospecting, opportunity qualification, RFI/RFP responses, solution positioning, negotiations, and deal closure for large, complex, multi-service opportunities.
• Deliver compelling executive presentations, proposals, solution workshops, and business cases, while maintaining accurate pipeline management, forecasts, and CRM engagement records.
• Represent Cognizant at Retail industry conferences, executive forums, and networking engagements, and mentor junior sales professionals to strengthen hunting capabilities and sales excellence.
• 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.

Work model

At Cognizant, we strive to provide flexibility wherever possible. Based on this role's business requirements, this is a remote position open to qualified applicants in Toronto, ON, Canada. Regardless of your working arrangement, we are here to support a healthy work-life balance through our various wellbeing programs.

The working arrangements for this role are accurate as of the date of posting. This may change based on the project you're engaged in, as well as business and client requirements. Rest assured; we will always be clear about role expectations.

What you need to have to be considered

• 20+ years of experience in enterprise sales, business development, and new logo hunting within technology services, digital transformation, consulting, or managed services, with proven success opening net-new accounts and driving significant revenue and TCV growth in the Retail & Consumer Goods industry.
• Strong experience selling into retail, eCommerce, omnichannel, consumer products, merchandising, customer experience, supply chain, and digital commerce organizations, with a demonstrated track record of consistently meeting or exceeding quota, bookings, revenue, and TCV targets.
• Expertise in developing and executing strategic territory plans and account acquisition strategies, with the ability to identify whitespace opportunities and create demand within previously untapped accounts.
• Proven ability to manage complex, long-cycle sales pursuits from prospecting through contract signature, including competitive positioning, pricing discussions, and commercial negotiations, and to build trusted relationships with CIOs, CTOs, CDOs, COOs, CMOs, and business unit leaders.
• Excellent communication, executive presentation, negotiation, and influencing skills, proficiency with CRM and forecasting tools, and willingness to travel extensively to support client acquisition and business development.
• 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.

These will help you stand out

• Deep experience within the Retail & Consumer Goods industry domain, working with leading retailers, consumer products manufacturers, omnichannel organizations, digital commerce businesses, and direct-to-consumer brands.
• Active participation in Retail & CPG industry events, conferences, executive forums, and professional networking communities.
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous learning, professional development, and skill enhancement.
• Experience thriving in complex, fast-evolving environments by translating strategy into action, fostering cross-functional collaboration and championing continuous learning and curiosity.

We're excited to meet people who share our mission and can make an impact in a variety of ways. Don't hesitate to apply, even if you only meet the minimum requirements listed. Think about your transferable experiences and unique skills that make you stand out as someone who can bring new and exciting things to this role.

Salary and Other Compensation

We regularly assess market data to ensure we offer a competitive compensation package for our associates. The base salary for this position ranges between $190,000.00 – 210,000.00 per year. Where the successful candidate may fall within the range depends on relevant education, work and/or management experience and other business-related and job-necessary qualifications. This position is also eligible for Cognizant's discretionary annual performance-based bonus, as well as benefits that support your physical, mental and financial wellbeing.