Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. DataDirect Networks (DDN) is a global leader in AI and high-performance data storage innovation. They are seeking a strategic Account Executive to accelerate growth within the Higher Education sector by cultivating partnerships and driving new business.
Responsibilities
- Own and drive revenue growth within assigned Higher Education accounts and territory
- Develop and execute strategic account plans targeting Higher Education customers
- Identify, qualify, and close new business opportunities aligned with DDN’s AI and data platform solutions
- Build strong relationships with key stakeholders including CIOs, CTOs, data leaders, and engineering teams
- Partner with pre-sales engineers and solution architects to deliver tailored solutions that address customer challenges
- Lead complex sales cycles from prospecting through negotiation and close
- Collaborate cross-functionally with marketing, product, and customer success teams to ensure successful customer outcomes
- Maintain accurate pipeline management and forecasting within CRM systems
Skills
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
- 10+ years of enterprise technology sales experience, preferably within storage, infrastructure, or data solutions
- Experience selling into Higher Education verticals
- Proven track record of meeting or exceeding quota in complex, solution-based sales environments
- Strong understanding of enterprise IT, data infrastructure, or AI/ML ecosystems
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and executive presentation skills
- Ability to manage long sales cycles and multiple stakeholders
- Experience with high-performance computing (HPC), AI infrastructure, or large-scale data environments
- Existing relationships within US Higher Education accounts
Benefits
- In addition to base salary, this role is eligible for variable compensation (commission).
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