Sales Director, Ad Sales - India Operations

Location: Hyderabad, India

Cognizant is seeking a dynamic and highly experienced Sales Director to lead Ad Sales operations for one of our largest clients. This role is a critical leadership position responsible for the entire program's delivery, strategic direction, and performance. The ideal candidate will be a seasoned B2B sales leader with a proven track record of managing large-scale operations and a deep understanding of the digital advertising landscape.

Key Responsibilities

Client Relationship Management: Act as the primary point of contact for client leadership in India, ensuring a strong, collaborative partnership. Build trust, manage expectations, and proactively identify opportunities to expand the program's scope and value.
Operational Delivery & SLA Achievement: Oversee all aspects of program delivery, ensuring the team consistently meets and exceeds key performance indicators (KPIs) and Service Level Agreements (SLAs). Drive operational excellence and efficiency across the entire sales lifecycle, from acquisitions to same-store growth.
Project Financials: Manage the program's financial performance, including budget oversight, forecasting, and profitability. Ensure the program operates within agreed-upon financial parameters while identifying opportunities for cost savings and revenue growth.
People Experience & Team Leadership: Lead, mentor, and inspire a large team of sales professionals and managers. Foster a high-performance, customer-centric culture. Drive talent development, retention, and employee engagement, ensuring a positive and productive work environment.
Strategic Planning & Execution: Develop and implement strategic sales plans that align with the client's goals and market dynamics. Adapt to a high-stress, target-based environment, and leverage data and insights to make informed decisions that drive growth. Required Qualifications & Experience
15+ years of B2B sales leadership experience in a high-pressure, target-driven environment.
Extensive experience in managing large-scale, complex operations, preferably within the digital advertising or technology sector.
Preference for candidates with direct or vendor experience in Google Ads Sales or Meta Ads Sales.
Proven ability to manage client relationships at a senior executive level and a strong focus on customer-centricity.
Exceptional leadership skills with a track record of building, motivating, and managing large, diverse teams.
Strong financial acumen, with experience in managing P&L and project financials.
Excellent communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.

Director-IOA