Account Executive – Architecture, Data Center Infrastructure

Cisco

. Own commercial relationships and drive strategic purchasing decisions within enterprise and commercial customer buying centers .

Posted 9/21/2026full-timeRemote • United StatesSeniorLead💰 $292,100 - $384,200 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in managing complex, multi-stakeholder commercial deal cycles and achieving sales quotas for specialized Cisco architectures. Proficient in developing business cases, financial justifications, and executing competitive displacement strategies while cultivating executive relationships.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Enterprise Sales ExperienceComplex Deal Cycle ManagementROI/TCO Financial JustificationsMEDDPICC Sales MethodologyCisco Architectural Familiarity

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Quota-Carrying Sales ExperienceBusiness Case DevelopmentCompetitive Displacement StrategiesSales MethodologiesArchitectural Revenue ForecastingMulti-Year Software SubscriptionsRecurring Revenue Licensing ModelsExecutive ProposalsSales Quota AchievementCross-Functional Collaboration

Soft Skills

Relationship BuildingStrategic ThinkingInfluencing SkillsCommunication SkillsCollaboration

Certifications & Qualifications

Bachelor’s DegreeMaster’s DegreeFormal Sales Training

Industry Keywords

Cisco ArchitecturesEnterprise NetworkingCyber SecurityCloud/Data CenterCollaborationCommercial SalesTechnology SalesSaaSHardware SalesSoftware Sales

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

CloudCyber Security

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Own commercial relationships and drive strategic purchasing decisions within enterprise and commercial customer buying centers
Partner with core account managers and technical Solutions Engineers to qualify pipeline
Structure comprehensive business cases and lead competitive displacements
Guide multi-stakeholder deal cycles from qualification through execution
Own and achieve sales quota targets for specialized Cisco architectures
Manage deal cycles ranging from $50K to over $1M across mid-market, commercial, and enterprise accounts
Cultivate trusted advisor relationships with CXOs, Line-of-Business leaders, and IT decision-makers
Align long-term architectural strategies with strategic customer business objectives
Apply structured sales methodologies such as MEDDPICC to qualify pipeline opportunities
Construct ROI/TCO financial justifications and deliver accurate architectural revenue forecasting
Collaborate with Solutions Engineers on customer proof-of-concept and proof-of-value demonstration strategies
Partner with Core Account Teams to expand wallet share and displace competitors
Channel field intelligence, customer feedback, and competitive insights to Cisco Engineering Business Units
Influence product roadmap enhancements, pricing models, and go-to-market strategies

Requirements

What you’ll need

7+ years of direct, quota-carrying enterprise or commercial technology sales experience selling hardware, software, SaaS, or complex specialized technology architectures
5+ years of experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder commercial deal cycles lasting 3 to 18 months, with documented quota over-achievement
Proven track record developing commercial business cases, executive proposals, and ROI/TCO financial justifications
Hands-on experience executing competitive displacement strategies and growing market share against industry competitors
Experience collaborating cross-functionally with Solutions Engineers, core account teams, and internal business units
Bachelor’s, Master’s, or advanced degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related discipline (preferred)
Formal training and demonstrated proficiency in enterprise sales methodologies such as MEDDPICC, Challenger Sales, or Command of the Message (preferred)
Commercial familiarity and sales proficiency across Cisco architectural domains, including Enterprise Networking, Cyber Security, Cloud/Data Center, or Collaboration (preferred)
Experience selling multi-year software subscriptions, Enterprise Agreements, and recurring revenue licensing models (preferred)
Established executive customer relationships and vertical domain sales experience (preferred)

Benefits

Comp & perks

Medical, dental and vision insurance
401(k) plan with a Cisco matching contribution
Paid parental leave
Short- and long-term disability coverage
Basic life insurance
Cisco restricted stock unit grants may be available, subject to continued employment and vesting periods
10 paid holidays per full calendar year
1 floating holiday for non-exempt employees
1 paid day off for employee’s birthday
Paid year-end holiday shutdown
4 paid days off for personal wellness
16 days of paid vacation per full calendar year for non-exempt employees
Flexible vacation time off with no defined limit for eligible exempt employees, subject to availability and business limitations
80 hours of sick time off provided on hire date and each January 1st thereafter
Up to 80 hours of unused sick time carried forward
Additional paid time away for critical or emergency family issues
Optional 10 paid volunteer days per full calendar year
Performance-based incentive pay for sales employees on top of base salary
No cap on incentive compensation once performance exceeds 100% attainment
Opportunities to grow and build at global scale