Client Partner - Retail - Texas

Cognizant; San Antonio (TX); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual incentive plan

Stock awards

Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance

401(k) plan

Job summary

Cognizant is hiring a Client Partner for Retail in Texas (Austin, Dallas or San Antonio) with travel across locations. Lead executive-level relationships in Retail, drive profitable growth, and collaborate across teams to shape the account strategy and digital agenda.

You will influence revenue, margin, customer satisfaction, and team development while navigating a hybrid work model and enterprise-scale programs.

Qualifications

• 15+ years in a client-facing role in a consulting firm or account/engagement management in IT professional services.
• Experience managing client P&L of $50+ million with reporting and metrics in a global service-delivery model.
• In-depth Retail/Consumer Goods domain understanding with thought leadership on technology and trends.
• Recent AI-enabled transformations with measurable improvements in efficiency or customer outcomes.
• Proven track record building senior-level relationships (CXO/CXO-1) with executive presence.
• Leadership in digital services/solutions with strategic vision and collaboration.
• BS degree required; MS or MBA preferred.

Responsibilities

• Build and sustain CxO-level relationships with key decision makers and influencers.
• Collaborate across service lines to execute the account business plan and drive AI-led initiatives.
• Review account performance with delivery, operations and finance; present in senior reviews.
• Own execution and customer satisfaction across portfolios; forge partnerships to grow the account.
• Lead with Cognizant Way to Lead: strategic agility, value creation, and inclusive culture.

Skills

CxO relationships

P&L management

Retail knowledge

AI-enabled transformation

Executive communication

Strategic leadership

Deal shaping

Education

BS degree

MS/MBA preferred

MS degree

Job description

Client Partner - Retail

Location: Texas - Austin, Dallas or San Antonio with flexibility to travel between all three locations

About the role

As a Client Partner for Retail, you will make an impact by driving profitable growth and leading executive-level relationships within key accounts in our Consumer Goods and Retail vertical, with accountability for revenue, operating margin, customer satisfaction, and team development. You will be a valued member of the Retail and Consumer Goods Business Unit team and work collaboratively with delivery, operations, finance, service line, innovation and alliance partners, and clients.

In this role, you will

Drive profitable growth across regional accounts while owning each account’s current health and long-term potential

• Build and sustain CxO and CxO-1 level relationships, meeting regularly with customer decision makers and influencers, and shaping the thought leadership agenda.
• Collaborate across service lines, innovation teams and business teams to formulate and execute the account business plan, and actively drive the Digital, Transformation and innovation agenda for the portfolio.
• Review account performance metrics with delivery, operations and finance teams and represent the account in senior management reviews.
• Own execution and customer satisfaction across all revenue portfolios within the accounts and identify and forge partnerships and alliances to grow the account.
• 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 hybrid position requiring 3-4 days a week in a client or Cognizant office in Dallas, TX with flexibility to travel to all 3 locations: Dallas, Austin and San Antonio. 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 must have to be considered

• Minimum 15 years of experience in a client-facing role in a consulting firm or an account/engagement management role in the IT professional services offshore/outsourcing industry.
• Experience managing client P&L of $50+ million, including reporting and metric assessment, with strong experience of the global service delivery model.
• In-depth understanding of the Retail/Consumer Goods business domain, with thought leadership on technology, services and business trends and their impact on outcomes for these companies.
• Demonstrated recent experience leading or driving AI-enabled business transformations, including the implementation and adoption of AI-driven solutions that deliver measurable improvements in operational efficiency, decision-making, customer experience, or business outcomes. Candidates should be able to provide examples of AI initiatives executed within the past 2-3 years and the impact achieved.
• Proven record of building and maintaining long-term relationships at senior (CXO and CXO-1) levels, with the presence and gravitas to present persuasively to C-level executives and senior business and technology leaders.
• Experience in digital services/solutions, combined with strong leadership skills and demonstrated capability as a thought leader; minimum BS degree.
• 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 succeed

• MS or MBA degree.
• A strong performance track record managing diverse portfolios, ranging from sales and new sales to programs and existing annuity business.
• Detail orientation and the ability to manage and maintain all facets of complex assignments, with the flexibility to work across diverse corporate environments, industries and technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to navigate a large, multi-dimensional matrixed organization, with the power of persuasion through content and confidence, and to hold knowledgeable conversations with clients on Digital trends in the industry.
• Strategic thinking with excellent problem solving, communication and client management skills, and the confidence and ability to plan ahead and stay the course.
• 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:

Applications will be accepted until Oct 31, 2026. The annual base salary for this position is between $180,000 - $210,000 depending on the experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

This position is also eligible for Cognizant's discretionary annual incentive program and stock awards, 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.