Job 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 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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