OverviewJob Description
DataDirect Networks is a global leader in AI and high-performance storage solutions; DDN empowers data-intensive, complex environments. We are seeking a strategic Account Executive to accelerate growth within our Higher Education vertical in the Mid-West Region.
In this role, you will cultivate strategic partnerships and hunt for new business to bringDDNs industry-leading AI and storage platformsto the Higher Education sector. This position is highly active, requiring 70% travelto engage directly with customers and drive regional growth.
Key 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 DDNs 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
Qualifications
- Bachelors 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
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with high-performance computing (HPC), AI infrastructure, or large-scale data environments
- Existing relationships within US Higher Education accounts
Base Salary Range: $150,000 - $175,000In addition to base salary, this role is eligible for variable compensation (commission).
DDN
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.
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