AI Connect : Associate Director Sales - Hyperscalers

Verizon; Cary (NC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision care

Disability coverage

Life insurance

401(k) with match

Paid holidays

Job summary

Verizon is seeking a senior AI Connect Sales Leader to drive strategic direction and sales performance for the AI Connect portfolio, with a focus on Dark Fiber infrastructure and AI-enabled connectivity solutions.

You will lead high-performance teams, cultivate partnerships with hyperscalers and AI vendors, and accelerate revenue growth while aligning physical fiber assets with enterprise AI outcomes. This mobile role emphasizes field-based customer engagement and cross-functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or four or more years of work experience.
• Eight or more years of relevant experience required, demonstrated through one or a combination of work and/or military experience, or specialized training.
• Expertise in Dark Fiber infrastructure, high-capacity networking, and the intersection of physical assets with AI/ML digital transformation.
• Proven track record of leadership in complex, fast-paced sales environments with a focus on emerging technologies.
• Significant experience managing and developing sales leadership teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead high-performance sales teams focused on the strategic deployment of Dark Fiber infrastructure and AI-driven connectivity solutions.
• Build and manage client relationships centered on AI transformation and the critical need for dedicated high-capacity fiber foundations.
• Execute the Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy for the AI Connect portfolio, prioritizing Dark Fiber as the core enabler for AI workloads.
• Cultivate and expand partnerships within the AI tech ecosystem, including hyperscalers and specialized AI vendors.
• Drive profitable revenue growth and accelerate the adoption of high-margin, AI-forward product sets.
• Work closely with Verizon Business Hyperscaler/SI core account teams in the positioning of AI Connect
• Build, mentor, and motivate a high-performing team by fostering a culture of collaboration, agility, and continuous improvement.

Skills

Dark Fiber infra

High-capacity networking

Sales leadership

Strategic partnerships

AI transformation

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

When you join Verizon

You want more out of a career. A place to share your ideas freely - even if they're daring or different. Where the true you can learn, grow, and thrive. At Verizon, we power and empower how people live, work and play by connecting them to what brings them joy. We do what we love - driving innovation, creativity, and impact in the world. Our V Team is a community of people who anticipate, lead, and believe that listening is where learning begins. In crisis and in celebration, we come together - lifting our communities and building trust in how we show up, everywhere & always. Want in? Join the #VTeamLife.

The AI Connect Sales Leader is responsible for driving the strategic direction and sales performance of Verizon's AI Connect portfolio, with a specific focus on the mission-critical role of Dark Fiber infrastructure. This role leads high-performance sales teams to accelerate the adoption of high-capacity, dedicated physical network assets and AI-enabled connectivity solutions. You will foster deep, strategic partnerships with hyperscalers, data center and AI focused firms to drive transformation through the deployment of robust fiber foundations. As a key leader, you will bridge the gap between high-capacity physical infrastructure and AI business outcomes, ensuring Verizon remains the preferred partner for AI-forward connectivity and foundational Dark Fiber assets.

What you'll be doing:

• Lead high-performance sales teams focused on the strategic deployment of Dark Fiber infrastructure and AI-driven connectivity solutions.

• Build and manage client relationships centered on AI transformation and the critical need for dedicated high-capacity fiber foundations.

• Execute the Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy for the AI Connect portfolio, prioritizing Dark Fiber as the core enabler for AI workloads.

• Cultivate and expand partnerships within the AI tech ecosystem, including hyperscalers and specialized AI vendors.

• Drive profitable revenue growth and accelerate the adoption of high-margin, AI-forward product sets.

• Work closely with Verizon Business Hyperscaler/SI core account teams in the positioning of AI Connect

• Build, mentor, and motivate a high-performing team by fostering a culture of collaboration, agility, and continuous improvement.

You’ll need to have:

• Bachelor's degree or four or more years of work experience.

• Eight or more years of relevant experience required, demonstrated through one or a combination of work and/or military experience, or specialized training.

• Expertise in Dark Fiber infrastructure, high-capacity networking, and the intersection of physical assets with AI/ML digital transformation.

• Proven track record of leadership in complex, fast-paced sales environments with a focus on emerging technologies.

• Significant experience managing and developing sales leadership teams.

• Strategic vision for integrating physical fiber architecture into core AI connectivity frameworks and enterprise network modernization.

• Proven track record of building and scaling sales organizations, with a focus on organizational culture and talent development.

• Ability to navigate complex matrix environments and drive cross-functional sales operations to streamline processes and maximize efficiency.

Even better if you have:

• Experience with solution selling to C-Level Executives in the Fortune 500 and Global Market, with a strong preference for experience with solution selling to large, sophisticated tech companies.

• Experience working with the Global Systems Integrators and/or Hyperscaler companies in a senior sales role, including alliance management, selling, or senior executive outreach

• Experience working with and selling to at-scale tech alliances, especially alliances with large tech companies

• Proven ability to successfully work in a fast-paced environment with matrix organizations balancing multiple priorities

• Excellent communication and presentation skills; comfortable with presenting to Sr. level executives

• Collaborating with Executive community to maximize executive briefing value for VBG

• Unlocking strategic synergies across the complex client relationships

• 360 ecosystem alignment across key internal and external stakeholders

• Streamlined customization of products, contracts, and processes to match customer environments

• Audacity for ideation, planning, and execution for "big bets"

Where you'll be working

In this mobile role, you'll primarily work from customer or field location(s), with occasional visits to a Verizon location for in-person training and meetings.

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Equal Employment Opportunity

Verizon is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to veteran status, disability or other legally protected characteristics.

Benefits and Compensation

• medical
• dental
• vision
• short and long term disability
• basic life insurance
• supplemental life insurance
• AD&D insurance
• identity theft protection
• pet insurance
• group home & auto insurance
• matched 401(k) savings plan
• up to 8 company paid holidays per year
• up to 6 personal days per year
• paid parental leave
• adoption assistance
• tuition assistance
• other incentives
• premium pay such as overtime, shift differential, holiday pay, allowances, etc.
• up to 15 days of vacation per year

The salary will vary depending on your location and confirmed job-related skills and experience. This is a commission based position with the potential to earn more. For part-time roles, your compensation will be adjusted to reflect your hours.

The annual salary range for the location(s) listed on this job requisition based on a full-time schedule is: $120,000.00 - $230,000.00.

The annual salary range for the Illinois location(s) listed on this job requisition based on a full-time schedule is: $132,000.00 - $230,000.00.