Account Executive – Life Sciences

Level: Director

About The Role

As an Account Executive, you will play a pivotal role in driving growth by acquiring new logos within the assigned Strategic Business Unit (SBU), with a strong focus on Life Sciences accounts. Partnering closely with leadership, you will build and manage a robust pipeline, leading all aspects of the sales cycle to achieve a Target TCV of $25M and meet assigned revenue goals.

You will be a key member of the Americas Technology Practice team, collaborating with our consulting, advisory, technology Centers of Excellence, and solution delivery teams to deliver value-driven outcomes. This role demands a deep understanding of the Life Sciences domain, including but not limited to R&D, MedTech, Pharma, Medical Devices, Clinical, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain.

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in selling complex IT solutions, expanding footprints in existing accounts, and acquiring new logos. You will be responsible for driving revenue growth and building strategic relationships with key Life Sciences clients and ecosystem partners.

This role reports to the respective Americas SO & AE Sales market leader in North America.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive New Business Development: Identify, pursue, and acquire new logos within the assigned Life Sciences SBU, focusing on strategic accounts.
• Pipeline Management: Build and maintain a robust sales pipeline to achieve a Target TCV of $25M and meet assigned revenue goals.
• Account Growth: Expand footprints in existing accounts by identifying cross-sell and up-sell opportunities across consulting, advisory, and technology services.
• Strategic Relationship Building: Develop and nurture executive-level relationships with key Life Sciences clients and ecosystem partners.
• Solution Selling: Lead the end-to-end sales cycle for complex IT solutions, leveraging domain expertise in R&D, MedTech, Pharma, Medical Devices, Clinical, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain.
• Collaboration: Work closely with leadership, delivery teams, and Centers of Excellence to craft compelling proposals and ensure successful deal closure.
• Market Intelligence: Stay informed on industry trends, competitive landscape, and emerging technologies to position offerings effectively.
• Contract Negotiation: Drive commercial discussions and negotiate agreements that align with client needs and organizational objectives.
• Reporting & Forecasting: Provide accurate sales forecasts, pipeline updates, and performance reports to leadership.

• Lead client relationships, build a pipeline, responsible for the opportunity management process: Prospect-Evaluate-Propose-Close
• Collaborate with all delivery team members involved to ensure the right solutions and proactive prospecting.
• Sales planning and governance: build the account plan including relationships required, opportunities to be pursued, price decisions, etc.
• Build CXO relationships.
• Prior experience creating proactive and closing large deals a must.
• 10+ years of validated experience, with strong sales/relationship management/account management experience.

The annual salary for this position is between $180,000 - $200,000 depending on the experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate. This position is also eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual incentive program and stock awards, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant’s applicable plans.

Benefits: Cognizant offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:

• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance
• Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off
• 401(k) plan and contributions
• Long-term/Short-term Disability
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Compensation information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.

Applicants may be required to attend interviews in person or by video conference. In addition, candidates may be required to present their current state or government issued ID during each interview.

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

The Cognizant Community

We are a high caliber team who appreciate and support one another. Our people uphold an energetic, collaborative and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.

• Cognizant is a global community with more than 300,000 associates around the world.
• We don’t just dream of a better way – we make it happen.
• We look after our people, clients, company, communities and climate by doing what’s right.
• We cultivate an innovative environment where you can build the career path that’s right for you.