At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a visionary team to transform pre-sales into a proactive, value-driven powerhouse.
- Company: Join Cisco, a leader in innovative technology and AI solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and endless growth opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team making a global impact.
- Why this job: Shape the future of tech while driving impactful business outcomes.
- Qualifications: 10-15 years in technical sales with leadership experience required.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 150000 £ per year.
Splunk, a Cisco company, is seeking a dynamic and visionary leader for a pivotal role at a time when our technology is hyper-relevant in the age of AI. As the Director of Solutions Engineering for the UKI region, you are more than a "leader of leaders" - you are a strategic force who will shape the technical future for our customers.
This is a highly transformational role. We are looking for a leader with a growth mindset and a fresh perspective to elevate our organization from a traditional pre-sales motion to an innovative, proactive, and business-opportunity-focused mission. You will drive transformational change, champion a value-selling approach, and forge a mature, visionary partnership with the sales organization. By converting our approach from reactive to proactive, you will empower a world-class team to deliver exceptional business outcomes for Splunk’s customers.
As an active member of the Splunk UKI Leadership Team, you will be a technical visionary, a business driver, and an inspirational coach, building strong executive relationships to drive market success.
What You'll Do
- Drive Business Outcomes and Customer Success (Lead Business)
- Transform the Pre-Sales Motion: Drive the shift from a traditional, reactive technical support function to a proactive, value-selling organization focused on long-term business outcomes and strategic opportunities.
- Build a Visionary Sales Partnership: Forge a strong, mature, and innovative partnership with field sales leadership. Jointly develop strategic account plans and orchestrate resources to win in the market.
- Engage at the Executive Level: Act as a trusted advisor to our most strategic customers. Proactively engage at the VP/CxO level to understand their buying processes, business drivers, and market challenges - particularly within Public Sector, Financial Services, Insurance, Telecommunications, and Retail sectors.
- Position us to Win: Leverage deep market intelligence to strategically position Splunk + Cisco solutions, clearly articulating our trade-offs, advantages, and competitive edge.
- Lead and Develop Elite Talent (Lead Others)
- Cultivate a Growth Mindset: Champion an inclusive, agile culture where team members are empowered to innovate and thrive amidst market shifts.
- Bring a fresh perspective that challenges the status quo.
- Develop "Leaders of Leaders": Coach, mentor, and develop a team of managers and engineers. Proactively identify talent, implement succession plans, and co-develop individual growth plans.
- Drive Operational Excellence: Manage performance closely using the skill/will methodology. Establish scalable frameworks for enablement, and organizational alignment to ensure your team can support complex, high-value tech solutions.
- Embody Executive Leadership and Vision (Lead Yourself)
- Be a Thought Leader: Amplify Splunk's market presence by representing the company as a strategic expert in industry forums, customer advisory boards, and internal strategy councils.
- Master Cross-Functional Alignment: Work seamlessly with Sales, Partners org, Professional Services, Education, Product Management, and Engineering to ensure alignment between pre- and post-sales activities, scope new opportunities, and resolve critical customer situations.
- Demonstrate Executive Accountability: Navigate organizational challenges with resilience and adaptability, ensuring sustained strategic alignment and business excellence.
Who You Are
You are a visionary pre-sales and solution architecture leader who thrives on defining strategy for innovative technology in a dynamic, AI-driven landscape. You seek out and solve complex, high-impact problems, leading by example and influencing from the front.
Your Qualifications:
- 10–15+ years of experience in technical selling and Solutions/Sales Engineering within enterprise software.
- 5–7+ years of leadership experience, with a proven track record of managing people managers (leader of leaders) in a complex work environment.
- Deep-dive experience and market knowledge within the UKI region.
- Experience working across multiple customer segments (Enterprise, Public Sector, Service Provider, Commercial).
- Strong domain expertise in enterprise software (e.g., Cybersecurity, Observability, Cloud & AI, IT Operations, Application Performance Management, or Big Data).
- Exceptional communication and articulation skills; ability to translate complex technical ideas into clear business value for executive audiences.
- Proven experience driving organizational transformation, specifically shifting a pre-sales team from a reactive technical function to a proactive, value-selling business driver.
- M&A (Mergers & Acquisitions) experience is desirable.
- BS or equivalent experience in Computer Science, Management Information Systems, or a related field.
- Ability to travel up to 25-35%.
Why Cisco?
At Cisco, we’re revolutionizing how data and infrastructure connect and protect organizations in the AI era – and beyond. We’ve been innovating fearlessly for 40 years to create solutions that power how humans and technology work together across the physical and digital worlds. These solutions provide customers with unparalleled security, visibility, and insights across the entire digital footprint.
We are Cisco, and our power starts with you.
Director, Solutions Engineering Splunk UKI employer: Cisco Systems
At Cisco, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration. As the Director of Solutions Engineering for the UKI region, you will not only lead a talented team but also have access to unparalleled growth opportunities in a dynamic environment driven by cutting-edge technology. Our commitment to employee development, inclusivity, and a proactive approach to business ensures that you will thrive while making a significant impact in the AI-driven landscape.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director, Solutions Engineering Splunk UKI
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks on LinkedIn or at events. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their products and how they fit into the market. This will help you tailor your answers and show you're genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or use online platforms to get comfortable with common questions. The more you practice, the more confident you'll feel when it counts.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can set you apart from other candidates and shows your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you on their radar!
We think you need these skills to ace Director, Solutions Engineering Splunk UKI
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the role. Highlight your experience in technical selling and leadership, especially in the UKI region. We want to see how your background aligns with our vision at Splunk!
Showcase Your Visionary Leadership:In your application, emphasise your ability to drive transformational change and develop elite talent. Share examples of how you've shifted teams from reactive to proactive approaches, as this is key for us at Splunk.
Communicate Clearly:Use clear and concise language to articulate your ideas. Remember, we’re looking for someone who can translate complex technical concepts into business value, so make sure your application reflects that skill!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensure you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Splunk!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cisco Systems
✨Understand the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into the job description. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities and expectations for the Director of Solutions Engineering role. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their needs and demonstrate your understanding of the strategic impact this position has on the company.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a leader of leaders, it’s crucial to convey your leadership philosophy. Prepare examples that highlight your ability to mentor and develop talent, especially in transforming teams from reactive to proactive. Discuss specific instances where you've driven change and fostered a growth mindset within your team.
✨Prepare for Executive-Level Engagement
Since this role involves engaging with VPs and CxOs, practice articulating complex technical concepts in a way that resonates with business leaders. Think about how you can translate technical jargon into clear business value, particularly in sectors like Public Sector and Financial Services, which are highlighted in the job description.
✨Demonstrate Market Knowledge
Research the current trends and challenges in the UKI market, especially related to AI and enterprise software. Be ready to discuss how Splunk's solutions can address these challenges. Showing that you’re informed about the competitive landscape will position you as a strategic thinker who can contribute to the company's vision.
