Sales Director - Software Firewall Technologies

Sales Director – Software Firewall Technologies

Location: London / Munich / Paris / Madrid (within EMEA)

Our Mission

• Being the cybersecurity partner of choice, protecting our digital way of life.
• Building a world where each day is safer and more secure than the previous one.
• Disrupting the way things are done through technology and an employee‑first approach.

Job Description

Palo Alto Networks is revolutionizing cybersecurity in the age of Artificial Intelligence. We are seeking a dynamic and customer‑obsessed Sales Director to lead our Software Firewall Sales Specialist team in EMEA. You will drive business development, customer engagement, and execute the sales process for our growing portfolio of AI security solutions in the EMEA market.

Your Impact

Role

• Develop and execute targeted sales and go‑to‑market strategies focused on pipeline generation, technically winning, and closing new customers for Palo Alto Networks Next Generation Software Firewall solutions (VM Series, Cloud Firewall, and AIRS solutions).
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams—including extended sales, GTM, product, marketing, and channel—to align Sales Plays with targeted customers in your sales territory.
• Execute Next Generation/Software Firewall sales plays to build software firewall pipeline in collaboration with the extended sales teams.
• Identify, conduct discovery, and qualify new Software Firewall opportunities with customers.
• Work with the technical solutions team to technically validate and win Software Firewall opportunities.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to strategic customers and partners, driving consultative sales cycles from initial engagement to close.
• Identify and understand customer requirements and articulate the value proposition of Palo Alto Networks’ AI security and Software and Cloud Firewall offerings.
• Evangelize the importance and value of securing AI across industry events, executive briefings, and thought leadership opportunities.
• Track and report performance metrics, pipeline health, and market insights to support forecasting and strategy refinement.
• Build close partnerships with the sales team and cloud service providers in the region to identify new opportunities and close business.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of sales or sales specialist experience in the cybersecurity, cloud, or AI space, with 2+ years of sales management experience preferred.
• In-depth understanding of AI technologies, including generative AI, machine learning, and large language models.
• Strong grasp of firewall fundamentals and the value of modern software firewalls.
• Deep understanding of cybersecurity fundamentals, data security, network security, and cloud security.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex sales engagements.
• Extensive experience with cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or GCP.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills with the ability to influence senior stakeholders.
• Self‑starter who thrives in a fast‑paced, collaborative environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, computer science, engineering, or a related field; advanced degree a plus.
• Experience selling to CISOs, CIOs, and data science/security teams.
• Experience working in a high‑growth or scale‑up environment.
• Background in working with or through VARs, cloud marketplaces, or CSP partnerships.

Additional Information

You’ll be part of a passionate, high‑energy sales acceleration team focused on helping customers navigate transformative shifts in technology. We equip you with industry‑leading tools, sales enablement, and support systems to succeed.

Our Commitment

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all qualified individuals with a disability. If you require assistance or accommodation due to a disability or special need, please contact us at accommodations@paloaltonetworks.com.

Palo Alto Networks is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity in our workplace, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or other legally protected characteristics.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.