Service Line Sales Director – AI & Data

Service Line Sales Director – AI & Data

The Service Line Sales Director – AI & Data is a senior sales and consulting leader responsible for accelerating growth for Cognizant's AI Readiness Business Unit across the USA. This is a quota-carrying leadership role with hard annual revenue targets, responsible for building and maturing a high-quality pipeline, closing large and complex deals, and driving growth in both existing Cognizant accounts and new logo hunting. The ideal candidate brings a strong blend of enterprise sales leadership, AI/Data technical depth, and an established market presence in the US, with proven relationships across C-suite and technology leadership. This role requires frequent travel across the US to engage clients, partners, and stakeholders. The candidate should have hands-on experience selling AI and Data-driven deals, a strong understanding of AI solution landscapes, deep client relationships in the market, and the technical credibility to lead meaningful conversations with clients on AI topics.

In this role you will:

• Own and exceed hard revenue and margin targets for AI Training Data Services.
• Create, manage, and convert pipeline across existing Cognizant accounts and new logos in the USA.
• Drive end-to-end enterprise sales cycles: prospecting, qualification, proposal development, negotiation, and closure.
• Lead pursuit teams and coordinate with solution architecture, delivery, product, and offshore/nearshore teams.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to client CIOs, CDOs, CTOs, AI/ML leaders, and architecture teams.
• Represent Cognizant's AI Readiness portfolio across US markets through roadshows, workshops, and executive briefings.
• Expand and strengthen Cognizant's market positioning in AI readiness, training data, DataOps, and GenAI enablement.
• Identify emerging opportunities, industry trends, and influence GTM and solution strategy.
• Build and deepen relationships within Cognizant's existing accounts; identify whitespace and grow share of wallet.
• Leverage strong market presence to open doors and accelerate entry into new client environments.
• Map and influence key decision-makers, stakeholders, and partners across the region.
• Build multi-year adoption roadmaps for AI/ML and training data modernization.
• Partner with vertical sales teams, delivery, product, CoE, and marketing to craft differentiated proposals and solutions.
• Mentor junior talent and contribute to the business unit's long-term growth strategy.

Work Model: We believe hybrid work is the way forward as we strive to provide flexibility wherever possible. Based on this role's business requirements, this is a hybrid position requiring 3-4 days a week in a client or Cognizant office. Regardless of your working arrangement, we are here to support a healthy work-life balance through our various wellbeing programs.

Travel: Frequent travel across the US to meet clients, attend workshops, drive pursuits, and support executive engagements.

What you need to have to be considered:

• Demonstrable experience in enterprise sales, consulting, or business development in AI, Data, or Digital Engineering.
• Proven track record as a quota-carrying sales leader meeting/exceeding hard revenue targets.
• Strong experience in both new logo hunting and scaling business within existing accounts across US.
• Experience selling AI/ML services, data engineering, GenAI solutions, or data labeling/training data services.

This will help you stand out:

• MS or MBA degree
• Strong executive presence with the ability to influence at CIO, CDO, and CTO levels.
• Well-established relationships and market credibility across the USA.
• Powerful communicator with strong storytelling, negotiation, and value articulation capabilities.
• Ability to balance technical depth with commercial acumen.
• High ownership mindset, resilience, and comfort operating in a quota-driven environment.

Applications will be accepted until February 13th, 2026.

Salary and Other Compensation: The annual salary for this position is between $190,000 -$220,000 depending on experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate. Benefits: This position is also eligible for Cognizant's discretionary annual incentive program and stock awards, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cogniant'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. Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, based on applicable plan. Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.