Strategic Account Director

About Us

Always open. Our code, our culture, our opportunities. Leading open innovation without limits. We are SUSE.

SUSE is a global leader in innovative, reliable and secure enterprise open source solutions, including SUSE Linux Enterprise (SLE), Rancher and NeuVector. More than 60% of the Fortune 500 rely on SUSE to power their mission-critical workloads, enabling them to innovate everywhere – from the data center to the cloud, to the edge and beyond. SUSE puts the "open" back in open source, collaborating with partners and communities to give customers the agility to tackle innovation challenges today and the freedom to evolve their strategy and solutions tomorrow.  

We are open in our roots and open in our approach, striving to be the most trusted open innovator in the World. Openness extends beyond our technology. Our vibrant community thrives on diversity and connectivity without borders.

Job Description

Role Overview

Drive strategic growth for SUSE by managing a set of assigned customers within Malaysia. The Account Executive is responsible for identifying and capitalising on new business opportunities, deepening customer relationships, and aligning SUSE's comprehensive value proposition with customer objectives. The role demands a high level of strategic thinking, the ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams, and a focus on delivering high-value solutions that enhance customer success and drive market share. Success in this role is measured by revenue growth, customer satisfaction, and the ability to effectively navigate large-scale account dynamics. The ideal candidate will be self-motivated with a hunter mentality and a passion for exceeding expectations. Demonstrate an over-achieving track record of sales attainment as well as a solid channel partner network in Malaysia.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish and enhance strong relationships with key stakeholders, including CXO-level executives. Building key relationships - Economic Buyer (internal customer), Technical Buyer (our liaison), Coach & Executive Buyer (Champion).

• Apply consultative-selling techniques to develop a deep understanding of client goals, challenges, and ambitions related to mission critical workloads and innovation. Serve as a trusted advisor by aligning SUSE's offerings with client needs, curating a precise mix of products, services, and solutions to address their challenges and deliver long term value. 

• Take proactive ownership of your professional development by staying curious and embracing a growth mindset. Focus on driving your success, advancing your skills as a Sales professional, and deepening your expertise in the SUSE value proposition.

• Proactively identify and capitalise on upselling and cross-selling opportunities - leveraging customer knowledge, expertise on SUSE's market presence and capabilities, and the competitive landscape.

• Monitor market trends and competitor activities to refine sales strategies and stay competitive.

• Consistently maintain CRM hygiene by updating all activity, opportunities & deals regularly - to manage the sales pipeline, provide accurate sales forecasts, and track performance.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for customers, managing all aspects of the sales process from initial contact, through negotiation and closing of complex sales deals, to handover to Customer Success for implementation and post-sale support, ensuring long-term value based relationships.

• Partner with the SUSE ecosystem of partners to enhance and bundle solution offerings, leverage their relationships with customers and extend business opportunities

• Collaborate on Account Plans with your counterparts across Pre-Sales, Inside Sales, Partner Ecosystem, Specialist Sales teams to deliver comprehensive solutions and help drive traction.

• Identify and prioritise key accounts each quarter that have a strong potential for adopting SUSE products and solutions - setting clear milestones and timelines to maximise opportunities for significant market share growth.

Skills & Experience

• Experience in sales, and account management, with a proven track record of meeting or exceeding sales targets.

• Knowledge of the enterprise software industry - particularly solutions such as Linux Infrastructure, Hybrid Cloud, Container Management, Edge, Artificial Intelligence and Security.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders - presenting complex technical solutions in a clear and compelling manner.

• Analytical skills to understand market trends and apply insights to sales strategies.

• Strong problem-solving skills with a focus on finding innovative solutions to client challenges.

• Proven ability to work cross-functionally, collaborating with internal teams and external partners.

• Experience working with CRM tools (e.g., Salesforce, Clari) to manage pipelines and forecast sales accurately.

• Ability to apply enterprise sales methodologies, particularly MEDDPICC, Challenger or similar frameworks. Industry certifications in sales or IT are a plus.

• Understanding of Open Source and transformation topics, such as cloud-native application development and cloud migration.

Job

What We Offer 

We empower you to be bold, driving your career to create the future you want. We celebrate and reward your achievements.  

SUSE is a dynamic environment that is evolving rapidly, thus requiring agility, strong entrepreneurship and an open mind. 

This is a compelling opportunity for the right person to join us as we continue to scale and prosper.   

If you're a big thinker, obsessed by execution and thrive in a dynamic environment in which you can tangibly create a lasting legacy, then please apply now  

We give you the freedom to be yourself. You will work in a global community of unique individuals – like you – with different backgrounds, talents, skills and perspectives. A truly open community where everyone is welcome, has a voice and is encouraged to reach their full potential regardless of age, gender, race, nationality, disability, sexual orientation, religion, or any other characteristics.   

Sounds like the right fit for you? Click Apply to submit your resume. A recruiter will contact you if your skills match our current or any future positions. In the meantime, stay updated on the latest SUSE news and job vacancies by joining our Talent Community. 

SUSE Values 

• We are passionate about customers 

• We are respectful and inclusive  

• We are empowered and accountable   

• We are trustworthy and act with integrity  

• We are collaborative  

• We are SUSE