Layer3 is one of the fastest growing network and security infrastructure companies in West Africa, providing award-winning services, including managed and cloud services, network security, IT infrastructure management, virtualization and mobile device management solutions. Our unique model integrates best-of-breed technologies from global leaders such as Juniper Networks, Blue Coat, Polycom, AirWatch, F5, Extreme Networks and VMware, coupled with our next-generation metro fiber networks, to offer unparalleled services and after sales support to some of the most demanding customers.
A Solutions Architect is an outstanding individual who combines the communications skills to build strong professional relationships with the technical skills to develop compelling solutions that accomplish our customers’ business imperatives.
The SA partners with an Account Manager to drive revenue growth for Layer3 by delivering business success to our customers.
Daily activities include direct customer and partner engagement: comprehensive discovery, information sharing and collaborative solution design; proposal development; solution demonstrations; proof-of-concept test design and execution.
SAs also work collaboratively within Layer3 to highlight emerging customer requirements and use cases, convey the competitive landscape, and coordinate with Layer3 and OEM-partner professional services organizations to ensure implementations meet or exceed customer expectations.
Additionally, time is invested in technical, professional, and leadership development through self-study and formal training.
Responsibilities
What you'll be doing:
Works in partnership with sales and marketing teams to develop and implement specific industry and account penetration strategies, produce account specific product and sales enablement plans, provide assessments and drive leads from identification to sale completion.
Leads in the discovery, analysis, design, demonstration, and refinement of fully integrated technology solutions
Demonstrates technical leadership and subject matter expertise on cloud, storage and server solutions and competitive offerings in the modern data center
Acts as technical expert and consultant to develop and propose solutions that meet the technology and business requirements of enterprise customers
Makes technical and sales presentations to customer's technical and Layer3 sales staff
Works with Layer3 marketing teams to create and produce digital channel-ready technical content that is published to Layer3 social media sites and networks
Serves as a trusted technology influencer to customers and serves as an internal Layer3 resource on technical plays or specific business applications and outcomes within an assigned market segment
Leads Layer3 technical sales calls with and on behalf of the Sales team
Respond to functional and technical elements of RFIs (Request for Information) and RFPs (Request for Proposal).
Qualifies sales opportunities in the terms of end customer technical requirements, competition, decision making process and funding in partnership with the Layer3 Sales teams.
Requirements
What we are looking for:
5+ years' experience in the Data Center server, cloud and storage industry serving in a Pre-sales Systems Engineer role.
Experience delivering, presenting, selling, supporting Enterprise Clients - working or competitive knowledge of computing, cloud and storage solutions
Proven experience selling, conducting Proof of Concept (POC) architecting Data Center solutions.
Solid knowledge of infrastructure technologies such as storage, servers, networking, cloud, hyper-convergence, etc.
Advanced knowledge of storage, networking, and general connectivity in multi-platform enterprise environments.
Requires consultative selling skills which pair product expertise with strong business, industry and competitive acumen.
Experience in working with cloud IaaS and PaaS
Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines
Results driven
Entrepreneurial mind set
High level of business and sales acumen
Strong organizational and interpersonal abilities
Customer focused
Requires in-depth knowledge and experience with x86 solutions
Industry certifications and/or experience with modern data center/cloud solutions such as VMware, Microsoft, Citrix etc
Ability to conduct effective group presentations and/or training