Pre-Sales Architect - Cybersecurity

Cognizant is seeking a highly skilled Pre-Sales Architect to join our Cybersecurity practice, supporting clients in navigating complex security challenges in an increasingly digital and AI-driven world. This role sits at the intersection of consulting and strategic pre-sales, working closely with clients, sales teams, and technical experts to shape and position innovative cybersecurity solutions. The successful candidate will act as a trusted advisor, translating business needs into robust, outcome-driven security strategies while driving growth, differentiation, and long-term client partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for Cyber Security & Networks Solutions and Services business growth and pipeline generation in partnership with the sales leaders and sales enablement within sales account teams.
• Partners with account teams to identify, solution and close opportunities within the account base
• Training and Educating Vertical and other Horizontal Sales team on Cognizant Security Portfolio
• Driving solutions for managed services opportunities collaborating with offshore based teams
• Articulating the Cybersecurity solution and value proposition to clients, as part of large managed services / IT outsourcing engagements
• Responsible for engaging in proactive conversations with security collaborators on current trends, client’s landscape and enable solutions to address security challenges.
• Willing and able to travel approximately 30%

Required Qualifications

• Experience in Cybersecurity solutions & Palo Alto Networks related to Service sales, Program management, Technical Solution centric sales.
• Experience in working with one or more Cybersecurity technology solution companies and understanding of their solution portfolio such as Palo Alto, Cisco, Zscaler, Crowdstrike etc.
• Experience in articulating joint value proposition of Cognizant Security Services and Palo Alto Networks Solutions
• Work with GSI team of Palo Alto Networks to track pipeline, perform account planning and drive client conversations along with Palo Alto Networks account representatives.
• Experience in Security Consulting, Security Professional Services and Managed Services solution experience
• Experience in preparing solution presentations, proposals (word / ppt), statement of work, effort price estimation and pricing/commercial model
• Good working experience with market leading security technologies with in SIEM, Network and Endpoint Security, Cloud Security, Identity and Access Management etc.
• Ability to articulate technology solution value proposition to business collaborators, partners and team members
• Experience with developing Trusted Advisor relationships at the C Level with in F200 & F500 Accounts
• Works closely with other Cognizant practices and geographic regions to ensure that Cognizant continues to operate effectively as one firm.
• Strong Information Cybersecurity Technology Background
• Prior experience in presales solutioning and client management.
• Ability to partner with additional collaborators in a matrixed environment and provide inputs to offering development teams on market requirements to enable them to create innovative differentiated offerings
• Good communication skills in complex client relationship model
• Bachelor’s Degree required or equivalent experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Security certifications such as CISA or CISM or CISSP preferred
• Understanding of the Palo Alto Networks portfolios including Prisma SASE, Prisma Cloud, Cortex XDR, XSIAM, XSOAR and Strata platforms
• Experience in Large Opportunities management.
• Palo Alto Networks Certifications
• Master's Degree in Cybersecurity/Networking or related field.