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 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: $160,000 -$200,000In 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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