Account Executive

This is an incredible opportunity to be part of a company that has been at the forefront of AI and high-performance data storage innovation for over two decades. DataDirect Networks (DDN) is a global market leader renowned for powering many of the world's most demanding AI data centers, in industries ranging from life sciences and healthcare to financial services, autonomous cars, Government, academia, research and manufacturing.

"DDN's A3I solutions are transforming the landscape of AI infrastructure." – IDC 

“The real differentiator is DDN. I never hesitate to recommend DDN. DDN is the de facto name for AI Storage in high performance environments” - Marc Hamilton, VP, Solutions Architecture & Engineering | NVIDIA 

DDN is the global leader in AI and multi-cloud data management at scale. Our cutting-edge data intelligence platform is designed to accelerate AI workloads, enabling organizations to extract maximum value from their data. With a proven track record of performance, reliability, and scalability, DDN empowers businesses to tackle the most challenging AI and data-intensive workloads with confidence. 

Our success is driven by our unwavering commitment to innovation, customer-centricity, and a team of passionate professionals who bring their expertise and dedication to every project. This is a chance to make a significant impact at a company that is shaping the future of AI and data management. 

Our commitment to innovation, customer success, and market leadership makes this an exciting and rewarding role for a driven professional looking to make a lasting impact in the world of AI and data storage. 

Job Summary:

The ideal Sales Account Executive will have worked in the storage industry and have sold into some of the following markets: Financial Services, Life Sciences, Oil and Gas, Government or Government Suppliers, Telecommunications, Internet, Entertainment and Media space. The position will be based remotely from home and will provide customers with appropriate solutions and product knowledge according to their business needs. Requires self-starters who can build territory pipeline, close new and existing territory revenue, prospect and close named accounts against established competition through individual initiative. Establish executive level relationships with all strategic accounts as appropriate. Drive account strategies and coordinate team-selling efforts to close business on a quarterly and annual basis. Manage multiple customers and opportunities, maintaining accurate forecasting and clear management communication.

Principal duties and responsibilities for this role include but are not limited to:

• Drive new business through strong partner and customer contacts and industry knowledge;
• Create and maintain a customer pipeline, hitting revenue goals and growing the territory;
• Meet committed sales numbers on a quarterly basis;
• Build relationships with Channel and OEM partners to grow brand presence to end users;
• Establish executive level relationships, understanding the needs and language of customer’s specific business;
• Lead and coordinate complex, team selling efforts (with internal and external partners);
• Develop and maintain a strong partnership with all DDN staff, specifically with Sales Engineers and technical support staff;
• Develop a strong understanding of the customers’ technology infrastructure, strategy and business requirements;
• Partner with internal staff to create successful Proposals and Presentations in response to RFPs and other customer needs;
• Drive a territory strategy in alignment with DDN brand strategy;
• Accurately forecast sales figures and projections;
• Consistent communication with DDN Sales Leadership including sales reports;
• Manage accurate data and record keeping in SalesForce.com to increase customer satisfaction and brand penetration;
• Attend trade shows and other activities to raise DDN’s presence in the industry;
• Successfully negotiate with internal and external partners and end-user customers;
• Manage customer relationships post-sale; including a strategy to close repeat business;

Qualifications:

• BSE or BA or equivalent preferred.
• Knowledge of the technology industry, especially infrastructure and storage products.
• Must possess a storage industry reputation for negotiating large transactions with professionalism, integrity, and a passion for winning.
• Consistent history of exceeding quota while maintaining customer satisfaction and required product margins.

Skills and Experience:

• Proven Professional Sales Executive
• Proven ability selling enterprise storage, within specified market;
• Experience managing, recruiting and leveraging partners within a geography to aggressively grow revenue and customer base.
• Competitive, refuse-to-lose attitude, strong work ethic, and excellent team building and influencing skills.
• Strong, demonstrable ability to penetrate and close new accounts, negotiate and win.
• Strategic account planning experience, and regular territory planning, including weekly reporting.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, presentation, problem solving, and time management skills.
• Willingness and ability to travel 30%-40% of the time.

DDN has a very strong orientation towards these 4 characteristics and any successful employee will demonstrate these capabilities: 

Self-Starter - Takes independent action to identify and solve problems. Seeks out relevant information needed to make decisions. Gets involved with new initiatives. 

Success/Achievement Orientation - Delivers quality results consistently. Targets, achieves (or exceeds) measurable results. Sets challenging goals, focuses on critical priorities, and is accountable. 

Problem Solving - Recognizes problems and responds with a systematic assessment that identifies and addresses cause of issue. Practical, realistic, and resourceful. 

Innovative - Builds and improves key business processes that enhance the effectiveness of DDN. Generates new ideas, challenges the status quo, and solves problems creatively.

DataDirect Networks, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender, sex stereotyping, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.