Associate Director - Service Line Sales Executive – Software Engineering Group - Technology Domain

Cognizant; United States; On-site; USD 160,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance

401(k) plan

Job summary

Cognizant is seeking a Service Line Specialist to grow the Software Engineering Group portfolio across assignments in the United States. The role emphasizes revenue growth, bookings, and operating margin with a strong emphasis on client relationships and strategic deal-making.

Ideal candidates have 5+ years selling digital/cloud/AI solutions, strong leadership, and the ability to work in a highly matrixed environment. The base compensation reflects a market-competitive salary with incentives.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of growing a business through strong client relationships and targeted strategies.
• Strong background in software product engineering, digital/app modernization, and QA sales.
• Experience engaging COO-level executives in large deals and shaping transformations.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills across levels from executives to team members.
• Solid understanding of technology industry trends and domains.
• Leadership demonstrated in diverse, matrixed teams.
• 5+ years in senior application services sales with cloud/AI experience.
• Experience with software product engineering approaches and Agile methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead and champion SEG offerings in the market.
• Set go-to-market and growth strategy for SEG in assigned portfolio.
• Collaborate across practices and offerings to develop client strategy.
• Own lead generation, pipeline management, and proposal development.
• Manage account plans and deliver executive status reports.
• Engage CXO/VP/Director level clients to advance opportunities.
• Close new and expansion deals aligned with targets.
• Coordinate with internal Cognizant teams to craft solutions.
• Respond to RFPs and deliver client requests.

Skills

Client relationships

Sales leadership

Executive engagement

Communication skills

Leadership

Global teams

Digital transformation

Problem solving

Education

MS or MBA degree

Job description

Location: Flexible - Candidates may be based anywhere in the United States

About Cognizant

Cognizant is one of the world’s leading AI Builder and technology services providers, bridging the gap between AI investment and enterprise value by building full-stack AI solutions for our clients. Our deep industry, process and engineering expertise enables us to build an organization’s unique context into technology systems that amplify human potential, drive tangible outcomes and keep global enterprises ahead in a fast-changing world. Cognizant’s unwavering focus on our clients is led by over 357,600 associates, who deliver services and solutions tailored to specific industries and the unique needs of the organizations we serve.

Overview

In this role, the SLS (Service Line Specialist) will focus on Software Engineering Group (SEG) which covers key offerings such as AI led Software Product Engineering and Development, AI led Application Modernization, AI led IT Operations (Zero Ops) and AI led Quality Assurance Services. He or she will focus on growing revenue, bookings and operating margin in assigned portfolio of accounts with business development and sales responsibilities including identifying, qualifying and closing new business opportunities within SEG. The position also requires working with and leveraging a top-notch client leadership team. The individual will also be developing strategies and tactics for further penetrating the account in addition to cross selling Cognizant’s emerging services. The SLS will collaborate with the Client Partners in achieving “trusted advisor” status and have a mix of strategic and tactical management experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and champion Cognizant’s SEG offerings in market
• Set the go to market and growth strategy for SEG in assigned portfolio
• Collaborate across multiple practices and offerings
• Work closely with Client Partners, solutioning and delivery and overall team to develop client strategy and transformation roadmap
• Provide subject matter expertise and own lead generation, pipeline management, proposal development and overall solution
• Execute and manage the account plan within function/specialism in collaboration with the Markets team
• Client Relationship Management; engage with CXO, VP and Director level clients
• Lead pursuits as a pursuit owner to close new and expansion opportunities related to their sales specialisms, working closely with Client Leadership Team
• Respond to and deliver on client requests; responds to RFP’s
• Engage the relevant internal Cognizant practices teams and service lines team for developing solutions.
• Create and present account Pipeline ; QBR presentations and executive status reports
• Experience developing opportunity pipelines, qualifying high priority deals, and winning new business in line with agreed targets (revenue as well as total contract value)
• Experience closing sales with a specific emphasis on growing sales. Specifically, win new deals in customer account per pre-agreed targets.
• Proven leadership qualities such as conflict/issue resolution, strategic and critical thinking and ownership, particularly with highly diverse teams.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a highly matrixed environment.

Required Experience

• Consistent record of growing a business successfully over the years through strong client relationships and a strategy tailored to client context and business goals
• Strong software product engineering, digital / App Modernization, Application Maintenance and quality engineering sales background
• Able to engage COO-level and COO-1 level executives in large deal, solution, transition, and transformation shaping discussions
• Effectively communicates with stakeholders at all levels including COO, LoB Owners, and his/her direct reports
• Technology domain – Solid understanding of technology industry domain and trends.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills
• Demonstrated strong leadership skills, particularly with highly diverse teams
• 5+ years of experience in a senior-level application services seller with good knowledge and prior experience and a strong track record in selling digital / cloud / AI solutions
• Software Product Engineering approaches, agile methodology and building green fields application using cloud and AI native solutions
• Familiarity with large-scale Enterprise Application modernization and migration using Micro-services architecture and cloud native solutions with DevOps.
• Candidate should have a strong domain experience in one of the 4 areas of Software Product Engineering or Enterprise application modernization, Application Maintenance / Support and Quality Assurance with a good understanding of at least one of the other three areas
• Understanding drivers and enablers of digital transformation within companies
• Ability to work with global teams
• Excellent problem solving, business communication (written & oral), and client management skills are essential
• Ability to build client relationships; strengthening partnerships by focusing on exceptional client experience, risk management and value realization built on the foundation of Cognizant leadership capabilities

Preferred Experience

• MS or MBA degree preferred
• Strong background in a project environment and application development
• Certifications in Cloud and AI preferred
• Proven ability to contribute to new business development efforts and to lead and manage multiple tasks in a dynamic environment
• Must be detail oriented and able to manage and maintain all facets of complex assignments
• Demonstrable problem-solving abilities with the aptitude to identify strategic solutions to business problems with enterprise-wide implications
• Demonstrate the flexibility to work among diverse corporate environments, industries, and technical and non-technical audiences

Top Reasons to Join Our Team

Excellent compensation/benefits. A strong financial incentive package that includes a solid base salary with a highly attractive commission's plan. Further incentives include award programs, club trips, and excellent benefits package. Wide exposure to industry, product, and functional standard methodologies; as well as outstanding teams supporting your sales pursuits. Encouraging management team that rewards initiative & success. Exciting, industry leading practice where you can truly build a long‑term career. Congenial, collaborative, and goal‑oriented environment; the opportunity to work with and learn from a diverse, highly experienced team of business professionals. Tremendous opportunities for growth with a real career path promoting career advancement.

Salary And Other Compensation

The annual base salary for this position is between $160,000 - $180,000 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

Disclaimer

The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.