Server and Storage Practice Lead

Description
Bring your IT career and talents to CDW, where you can have a greater impact, be inspired by our mission and excited about your career and future. A Fortune 200 leader, we're the driven professionals and technology experts companies turn to most to solve their IT challenges. The Server and Storage Practice Lead role is a technical leadership role with broad responsibilities across the presales practice. This role works closely with cross-functional teams, including Hybrid Infrastructure, Security, Research and Development, Service Delivery, Product and Partner Management and Sales Leadership to create and implement a comprehensive strategy for the Server and Storage teams. The Server and Storage Lead is responsible for driving a variety of presales strategies and initiatives across multiple technologies and sales segments. This role is also engaged heavily in the selection, onboarding and mentoring of Solution Architects (SA) and Business Development Strategists (BDS) for the presales practice. This role supports solution architects with enablement and complex opportunity guidance. The Server and Storage Practice Lead is an industry-recognized, strategic thought leader that engages directly with manufacturer partner leadership, providing expertise and insight gained directly from our customers, influencing manufacturer solution development for new and emerging solutions and defining CDW's technical go-to-market strategy. Key Areas of Responsibility:
* Proactively develop and execute presales strategy for Server and Storage, support all sales segments and provide thought leadership across the Hybrid Infrastructure practice
* Proactively identify and solve issues that impact the strategic direction of CDW
* Build strong relationships and joint go-to-market strategies with cross-functional teams such as Security, R&D, Digital Velocity, Sales and external partners
* Work with internal and external partner executives and other key stakeholders to influence change regarding industry and solution issues
* Explore innovative technology trends and new solutions to ensure presales and post sales are successfully prepared to meet customer demand
* Provide insight into emerging technical trends affecting CDW's portfolio, regularly contributing to major industry publications
* Regularly create forward-thinking, thought leadership deliverables (e.g., external monthly blog posts, internal technical strategy documents)
* Present at technology showcase events, at national industry or technology conferences and/or participates on Partner Technical Advisory Boards. Presentation platforms includes keynotes, breakout sessions, etc.
* Promote a culture of knowledge sharing and collaboration by organizing knowledge bases, contributing regularly, and encouraging team members to contribute
* Coach and mentor team members to improve their technical, consulting, and sales skills
* Conduct technical assessment and expert evaluations during candidate selection process
* Assist managers with onboarding new Solution Architects, facilitate mentoring process, and proactively provide assistance and guidance to new hires to accelerate productivity
* Provide technical leadership, enablement, and guidance to Solution Architects, peers, leaders, and other stakeholders within the organization
* Serve as subject matter expert for the creation of new tools and processes for emerging and evolving technologies (e.g., cross-sell opportunities, technical enablement, services calculators, SOW templates, demonstration environments, sales collateral, customer presentations, assessments)
* Maintain and lead peer review process for complex proposals
* Advise leadership, peers, architects, and sales in uniquely challenging customer scenarios
* Facilitate best-practice sharing and communication between presales segments and regions (e.g., solution positioning, closing deals, enhanced profitability)
* 30% Thought Leadership, Develop Go-To-Market Strategies and Execute on them
* 30% Solution Architect enablement, Training, Deliverable Development (internal and customer facing)
* 20% Delivering Presentations at CDW, Vendor, and Industry marketing events
* 10% Sales activities via conference calls, email, and customer visits Education and/or Experience Qualifications:
* Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or equivalent experience
* Ten-year minimum technical pre-sales or technical Architecture and Design with Server and Storage products
* Demonstrated subject matter expertise with at least two Server and Storage products (Dell, HPE, Cisco, Nutanix, Lenovo, NetApp, Pure Storage, Hitachi etc.) Required Qualifications:
* Strong interpersonal and group presentation skills including consulting skills
* Self-starter with passion for developing and delivering new solution offerings
* Strong passion for learning and teaching others
* Ability to think creatively and come up with proactive ideas that will increase sales
* Ability to communicate effectively both orally and written using a variety of styles and techniques appropriate to the audience
* Must be able to communicate effectively both orally and written and in a constructive manner with management, peers and coworkers
* Motivated and self-starting with an outgoing personality
* Ability to think creatively and come up with proactive ideas that will increase sales
* Excellent analytical skills. Demonstrated ability to understand data finding to draw conclusions and develop actionable recommendations
* Proven ability to proactively collaborate and build relationships, take initiative, and creatively problem solve
* History of successfully coordinating complex projects with multiple facets and stakeholders
* Applicant should demonstrate solid attention to detail with a penchant for accuracy
* Ability and willingness to travel up to 50% or as needed to other CDW locations, meetings and client sites
* Ability to understand, remember, and apply oral and/or written instructions or other information. Ability to organize thoughts and ideas into understandable terminology. Ability to multi-task, organize and prioritize. Ability to apply common sense in performing job. Ability to understand and follow basic instructions and guidelines. Ability to travel as needed. Pay range: $ 110,000- $ 162,000, depending on experience and skill set Annual bonus target of $35,000 subject to terms and conditions of plan Benefits overview: https://cdw.benefit-info.com/ Salary ranges may be subject to geographic differentials
Who we are:
CDW is a leading technology solutions provider to business, government, education and healthcare organizations across the globe. Our fingerprints can be found on technology in workplaces of more than 250,000 companies; from fresh-faced start-ups to international conglomerates. With the breadth of products and services we offer, there is no request too big or too small.
What you can expect from us: Culture, coworkers, careers.
CDW is not only the People Who Get IT but the People who get People. Our relationships are fueled by our deep expertise and grounded in the CDW Way. Our empowering leadership makes things happen and inspires their teams to do the same. From the teammates beside us to the leaders who guide us, we move forward together. At CDW, you'll work with people who inspire you. People with positive, success-driven attitudes who you will learn from and forge strong relationships with. Bring your best true self- and your best ideas- to CDW. Because diverse perspectives bring forth better problem solving- and better solutions for our customers on a rapidly evolving technology landscape.
Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status
Benefits overview: [https://cdw.benefit-info.com/](https://cdw.benefit-info.com/)