The Opportunity
Cognizant is looking for an enthusiastic and energetic business development and alliance professional to join our Global Partner Ecosystem (GPE). GPE is chartered with driving incremental revenue growth through joint offers and market development programs with Cognizant’s most strategic and global technology and solution partners. Our GPE team is a critical function for executing our strategy which is increasingly becoming more dependent on deep relationships with critical partners.
As the Head of Strategic Partnerships for APJ, you will be responsible for leading and managing a high-performing team to drive strategic partnerships across all service lines in ANZ, ASEAN, and Japan. You will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing our partner strategy, forging deeper relationships with key technology partners such as AWS, IBM, Google, Microsoft, ServiceNow, Salesforce, and many others.
The ideal candidate will have both a business background that enables them to engage at the CXO level, a solid technology foundation, as well as a sales background to manage joint GTM efforts, including interaction with enterprise customers and sales executives.
Strategic Partnership Development and Leadership:
- Develop and execute a comprehensive strategic partnership plan for APJ, aligned with the overall company strategy.
- Identify, prioritize, and cultivate strategic partnerships with key technology providers to drive business growth and innovation.
- Build strong, collaborative relationships with C-level executives at partner organizations.
- Negotiate and secure favorable partnership agreements that maximize value for the company.
Team Management:
- Lead and mentor a team of experienced alliance managers across APJ.
- Foster a high-performance culture that emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and accountability.
- Provide guidance, coaching, and development opportunities to team members.
- Recruit and hire top talent to strengthen the team.
Business Development:
- Collaborate with sales and delivery teams to identify opportunities for joint solutions and go-to-market initiatives.
- Drive pipeline generation and revenue growth through strategic partnerships.
- Develop and execute joint marketing and sales campaigns to increase market visibility.
Partnership Optimization:
- Continuously evaluate and optimize the partner ecosystem to ensure alignment with business objectives.
- Identify and address potential risks and challenges associated with partnerships.
- Monitor industry trends and emerging technologies to identify new partnership opportunities.
Performance Measurement:
- Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of partnership initiatives.
- Track and analyze partnership performance metrics to identify areas for improvement.
- Report on partnership progress and achievements to executive leadership.
Required Capabilities/Skills/Years of Experience:
- Domain and/or industry skills
- Technology skills, including an understanding of the hyperscalers, genAI, ISVs and other technology segments
- Years of Experience
- Minimum 15+ years in senior leadership role
- Minimum 10+ years in IT services industry
- Other requirements
- Proven track record in strategic partnership management, preferably in the technology industry.
- Deep understanding of the technology landscape, including cloud computing, AI, CX/CRM, and cybersecurity.
- Strong leadership and people management skills.
- Excellent negotiation and communication skills.
- Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with C-level executives.
- Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
- Experience working in a matrixed organization.
Preferred Capabilities/Skills/Years of Experience:
- Cross-functional collaboration:
- Foster strong relationships with leaders across all service lines to align partner strategies and identify cross-selling opportunities.
- Facilitate collaboration between alliance managers and service line teams to ensure seamless execution of joint initiatives.
- Innovation and co-creation: Encourage innovation and co-creation with partners to develop joint solutions and services that address emerging market needs.
- Global alignment:
- Collaborate closely with global counterparts to ensure consistency and alignment in partner strategies and programs across different regions.
- Identify opportunities for global partnerships and joint ventures to drive scale and efficiency.
What You Can Expect
· Organization driven by technology and industry expertise
· Open, can-do’ team spirit
· Entrepreneurial environment where you can make your own ideas a reality
· Drive your own career
· Market benefits
About Cognizant
Cognizant (Nasdaq-100: CTSH) is one of the world's leading professional services companies, transforming clients' business, operating and technology models for the AI era. Our unique industry-based, consultative approach helps clients envision, build, and run more innovative and efficient businesses. Headquartered in the U.S., Cognizant ranks number 213 on the Fortune 500 and is among the most admired companies in the world. Learn how Cognizant helps clients lead with digital at www.cognizant.com or follow us Cognizant.
What we offer
- The chance to work with impact. Here, you’re empowered to bring your biggest thinking to help our company and clients improve everyday life.
- Ownership over your career. Stay at the top of your game through our award-winning learning and development ecosystem. And when your ambitions change or we offer new opportunities, we help you pivot by providing reskilling, on-the-job learning and guidance to find new roles that might be a better fit.
- The opportunity to thrive on a high caliber team with heart. We celebrate each other’s experiences and perspectives and promote a sense of belonging through our affinity groups and diversity and inclusion initiatives.
- A comprehensive total rewards package, including a competitive salary and pension plan with matching contributions.
- Flexible health and financial benefits to support you and your eligible dependents—from day one.
- True work-life balance. Be at your best through paid time off, flexible work arrangements, volunteering opportunities, social events, and so much more.
Our commitment to diversity and inclusion
Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer that embraces diversity, champions equity and values inclusion. We are dedicated to nurturing a community where everyone feels heard, accepted and welcome. Your application and candidacy will not be considered based on race, color, sex, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran status or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state or local laws.
If you have a disability that requires reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening or submit an application, please email [email protected] with your request and contact information.
While our system allows application in all languages, job required language(s) and proficiency level(s) vary. However, basic English proficiency is required for Company-wide communications purposes.
About us
Cognizant is one of the world's leading professional services companies, transforming clients' business, operating, and technology models for the digital era. Our unique industry-based, consultative approach helps clients envision, build, and run more innovative and efficient businesses. Headquartered in the U.S., Cognizant (a member of the NASDAQ-100 and one of Forbes World’s Best Employers 2024) is consistently listed among the most admired companies in the world. Learn how Cognizant helps clients lead with digital at www.cognizant.com.