ES Enterprise Ops - Professional Svcs Consultant

Windstream provides data networking, core transport, security, unified communications and managed services to mid-market, enterprise, and wholesale customers across the U.S. The company also offers broadband entertainment and security services for consumers and small and medium sized businesses primarily in rural areas in 18 states. Windstream services are delivered over multiple network platforms including a nationwide IP network, our proprietary cloud core architecture and on a local and long-haul fiber network spanning approximately 150,000 miles.

To accomplish these technological advances, Windstream employs over 11,000 exceptional employees located across 49 states. Windstream supports the work/life balance of employees by facilitating remote working arrangements for much of its workforce and maintains several large work locations in various cities including Little Rock, AR, Charlotte, NC, Greenville, SC, Rochester, NY, Hiawatha, IA, and Twinsburg, OH.

About the Role:

In this role of M&P Services Solution Consultant, the individual will be responsible for all presales support of our Managed & Professional Services capabilities & activities within the organization, providing consulting and technical expertise to define customer business requirements, collaborate with sales engineering to prepare solutions for new/existing platforms, architecture changes, and complex migrations solutions for our clients. The M&P Solution Consultant will need to identify customer needs for customized operational support, assessments, migration services and other consulting or managed services supporting adoption of our:

• Managed Services Portfolio
• Cloud Adoption
• Infrastructure Solutions
• Virtualization
• Specialized Custom Application Suites

The candidate must possess strong technical knowledge and business acumen. Candidate must be able to be able to comfortably work within a team environment, work with senior (C-suite) IT leaders and management, as well as third party vendors and associates.

Non-Negotiables

• Ethical Conduct is essential in a sales role. An IT Managed Services sales expert should adhere to ethical standards, respect client confidentiality, and maintain integrity throughout the sales process

Responsibilities:

• Qualify leads and build relationships with potential customers
• Perform & lead consultative, solutions-based design for customers
• Participate in operational and business critical projects through the scoping, planning, execution, and implementation
• Become an expert in new solutions to  standardize Managed Services solution offerings
• Present IT Managed Services solutions, negotiations, and deal closure
• Provide technical direction in customer monthly and quarterly business review meetings
• Assist others (both internal and external) with knowledge development
• Time and pipeline funnel management

Qualification:

The ideal candidate must possess; the ability to work in a team environment, demonstrate strong problem-solving skills, strong sales and negotiation skills, be able to multi-task and work multiple projects simultaneously. The willingness to learn and constantly be learning new technologies while working in a fast-changing environment is a must. Having excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills (oral, written and presentation) is mandatory.

• Bachelor’s degree and ten (10+) years Managed IT Services and five (5+) years of Professional Services experience 
• Preferred; CISSP, CISA, ITIL
• Experience as an internal sales overlay to the organization’s sales distribution channels
• Experience with solution process design
• Demonstrated ability to strategize, qualify, and close, IT Managed Services and Professional Services consulting engagements
• Experience leading client meetings to conduct needs assessments to extract and document technical requirements
• Experience working with cross-functional engineering teams
• Experience and knowledge in leading a team of technical engineers to analyze requirements and resolve complex technical problems
• Experience in collaborating with large integrators/outsourcers and strategic technology partners
• Experience drafting comprehensive scopes of work and developing cost and revenue models to support positive margin in deals
• Proven value-based selling ability; track record for closing revenue
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with a desire to be client-facing
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to manage conflicting priorities 
• High level of intellectual and technical curiosity 
• Maintain an understanding and working knowledge of the IT Solutions Consulting industry with a specific emphasis on; SDWAN, UCaaS, Managed Network & Security Services, Cloud computing, and customer premise-based solutions
• Demonstrated domain knowledge and expertise in one or more of the following: Technical Solution Consulting, WAN / LAN Technology, , Network Security, and / or Managed Services (DDoS, Network Monitoring, Security Monitoring), Cloud Computing
• 35% Travel

Skills

• Relationship Management - Building and maintaining strong relationships with external Customers is the key to long-term success. Must have experience in managing Customer accounts, providing exceptional customer experience. The ability to foster trust, handle Customer concerns, and upsell additional services is mandatory.
• Teamwork and Collaboration – Must be able to collaborate with internal teams, such as technical experts, project managers, finance and customer support Working within a cross-functional team  is necessary to deliver successful IT managed services.
• Consultative Selling - IT Managed Service sales experts should have a consultative approach to sales, focusing on understanding the client's business challenges and providing tailored solutions. You should be skilled at conducting needs assessments, analyzing requirements, and designing comprehensive service(s) proposals.
• Sales and Negotiation Skills - Strong sales and negotiation skills are essential for an IT Managed Services sales expert. You should be adept at building relationships, identifying opportunities, and closing deals. Effective communication, persuasion, and the ability to present complex technical concepts in a clear and compelling manner are crucial.
• Adaptability and Learning Agility - The IT industry is dynamic and constantly evolving. A successful candidate should be adaptable, open to learning new technologies, and able to keep up with industry trends. You should have a growth mindset, be proactive in acquiring new knowledge, and continuously improve their sales skills.

Our Benefits:   

• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance Plans  
• Identify Theft, Legal, Auto & Home and Pet Insurance  
• Paid time off (PTO) 
• Matching 401K Plan  
• Health & Flexible Savings Account options 
• Life and AD&D, Spousal Life, Child Life Insurance Plans  
• Educational Assistance Plan  
• Career advancement opportunities 
• Fun & competitive work environment