Account Executive - Architecture

Cisco; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Cisco Systems, Inc. is seeking a senior security sales leader to drive AI security engagements for enterprise customers. You will architect AI-powered security strategies, build executive relationships, and manage end-to-end deals that defend against advanced threats.

You will influence go-to-market strategy and coordinate with Engineering on security offerings, leveraging MEDDPICC and a deep knowledge of AI security trends.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of overall sales experience.
• 3+ years selling security solutions.
• Experience selling network security solutions or SaaS security offerings.

Responsibilities

• Lead the security transformation for enterprise customers with AI-powered strategies.
• Cultivate executive-level relationships with CISOs and CTOs.
• Drive the full sales lifecycle from proposals to final deals.

Skills

Sales experience

Security solutions

Network security

SaaS security

MEDDPICC

AI security market knowledge

Account planning

Presentation skills

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree

Job description

Meet the Team

The Cisco AI Defense team serves as a specialized group of trusted advisors dedicated to building the intelligent, automated infrastructure necessary to secure the AI era. As part of Cisco's global mission to connect and protect, we bridge the gap between groundbreaking AI innovation and robust enterprise security. We are a team of bold problem-solvers working at the intersection of industry-leading networking and innovative machine learning to neutralize tomorrow's threats today. You will join a collaborative environment that not only delivers defensive strategies to global organizations but also directly influences Cisco's product roadmaps by sharing real-world insights from the front lines.

Your Impact

Lead the security transformation for enterprise customers by architecting resilient, AI-powered strategies that ensure business continuity and protect against sophisticated cyber threats. Cultivate executive-level relationships with CISOs and CTOs to position Cisco as a definitive partner for secure AI transformation and adversarial threat mitigation. Drive the full sales lifecycle for significant AI security engagements, from developing technical proposals and managing complex negotiations to executing final deals and client acquisition. Synthesize market intelligence and customer feedback to refine go-to-market strategies and guide Engineering teams on the evolution of our security offerings. Oversee threat-modeling narratives and long-range security forecasting to provide customers with proactive visibility and autonomous protection.

Minimum Qualifications

• 7+ years of overall sales experience.


• 3+ years of experience dedicated specifically to selling security solutions.


• Experience selling network security solutions (e.g., Intrusion Detection, Firewall, VPN) or SaaS security offerings.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven track record of consistently exceeding sales targets and leading large, multi-territory deals.


• Proficiency with the MEDDPICC sales methodology.


• Comprehensive knowledge of the AI Security market, including adversarial AI and secure model deployment.


• Experience building and implementing account plans that incorporate a total systems-based security approach.


• Strong interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills used to drive solution-selling methodologies.


• Bachelor's or Master's degree.

Why Cisco?

At Cisco, we're revolutionizing how data and infrastructure connect and protect organizations in the AI era - and beyond. We've been innovating fearlessly for 40 years to create solutions that power how humans and technology work together across the physical and digital worlds. These solutions provide customers with unparalleled security, visibility, and insights across the entire digital footprint. Fueled by the depth and breadth of our technology, we experiment and create meaningful solutions. Add to that our worldwide network of doers and experts, and you'll see that the opportunities to grow and build are limitless. We work as a team, collaborating with empathy to make really big things happen on a global scale. Because our solutions are everywhere, our impact is everywhere. We are Cisco, and our power starts with you.