About the Role
Cognizant is seeking an experienced Senior Account Manager to join its team in Saudi Arabia. This role is integral to expanding the company's global service portfolio, which includes Integration, Technology, and Outsourcing services for key clients in the Banking & Financial Services (BFS) sector. The position involves daily interaction with clients and Cognizant senior management, reporting directly to the Client Partner. The role is based in Riyadh.
As a significant contributor to Cognizant's IT and Consulting Business, the Senior Account Manager will serve as the primary point of contact for assigned clients. This involves acting as a business owner for these accounts, leading daily activities, and managing the Profit & Loss (P&L). Collaboration with delivery teams will be essential for enhancing the backlog, optimizing resource allocation, and managing scope changes to ensure client expectations are consistently met and to foster positive client experiences through regular engagement.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and manage relationships with existing clients in Saudi Arabia, identifying new opportunities and expanding current engagements.
- Penetrate new accounts where Cognizant's brand is not yet established, effectively showcasing capabilities and delivering value propositions.
- Lead the creation of high-quality proposals, ensuring multidisciplinary team collaboration to meet client requirements, with proficiency in handling RFPs and RFIs in an international context.
- Drive the end-to-end business development process, coordinating with delivery, technical, and pre-sales teams to align solutions with client expectations.
- Develop go-to-market strategies tailored for the banking and insurance segments, aligning business objectives with market opportunities.
- Manage the day-to-day activities and P&L of assigned client accounts.
- Conduct client meetings to establish and maintain positive client experiences.
- Enhance backlog and optimize resource mix in collaboration with delivery teams.
- Navigate scope changes to ensure client expectations are met.
Qualifications and Experience
- Over 10 years of experience in a client-facing role within IT Professional Services firms or the offshore outsourcing industry, with significant penetration in the Banking sector.
- Proven experience managing client P&L of several million dollars, including reporting and metric assessment for the account.
- Excellent ability and aptitude to influence and communicate effectively with business stakeholders up to the C-Suite level.
- A proactive mindset with the ability to interface effectively at all levels of an organization.
- Demonstrable problem-solving abilities with the skills to identify strategic solutions to business problems that have enterprise-wide implications.
Required Skills
- Client Engagement and Growth
- New Business Development
- Proposal Development
- RFP and RFI Management
- Opportunity Management
- Strategic Planning
- Banking Sector Expertise
- Financial Services Industry Knowledge
- Client P&L Management
- Stakeholder Management
- Excellent Communication (Oral and Written)
- Problem-solving
- Team Spirit
Work Environment and Additional Information
This is a full-time position based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, within the Riyadh Region. The role operates on a hybrid work model, which includes regular client visits within Riyadh, KSA. A Master's degree (MS) or MBA is preferred. A proven track record in contributing to new business development in Saudi Arabia and the ability to manage multiple tasks in a dynamic environment are highly desirable.
Cognizant embraces diversity, recognizing its importance for thriving operations. The company aims to include all individuals, valuing and respecting unique voices and backgrounds.