Director of Business Development

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. 

As the Sales Director of our Business Development (BDR) Team at DDN, you'll take charge of leading our inbound and outbound business development efforts to drive large-scale AI deals. You will build, coach, and manage a high-performing team of Sales Development Representatives (SDRs) to excel in prospecting and engaging with our ideal customer profile. By developing and optimizing strategic outreach efforts, fostering a culture of accountability, and using data to guide decision-making, you’ll empower your team to exceed goals. Your leadership will be pivotal in scaling the team’s success, driving high-quality pipeline generation, and collaborating cross-functionally with marketing and other teams to achieve business growth.

Key responsibilities:

• Hire, coach, and develop a team of Sales Development Representatives (SDRs) to build skills in prospecting, sales, product knowledge, and the industry.
• Set and align goals and SLAs with business objectives, tracking progress through regular reporting and making data-driven recommendations for improvement.
• Establish best practices for BDR outreach and pipeline development in the AI market.
• Build and iterate on a data-driven outreach strategy for inbound and outbound efforts, ensuring continuous optimization.
• Foster a high-performance culture centered on accountability, motivation, and achieving measurable results.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with marketing to drive lead generation and ensure alignment on key initiatives.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field. MBA or equivalent advanced degree preferred
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in business development, sales, or strategic partnerships within the technology sector.
• Proven track record of driving large-scale enterprise deals, particularly in AI, data storage, HPC, or related fields.
• Experience working with or within companies like NVIDIA, Supermicro, or other relevant technology partners is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated success in building and leading high-performing teams.
• Deep understanding of AI technologies, data storage solutions, and the enterprise technology landscape.
• Strong network within the AI and technology ecosystem.
• Exceptional leadership and people management skills.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and presentation skills.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to execute tactically.
• Proficiency in CRM software and sales analytics tools.

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.

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