Distribution Sales Specialist - Palo Alto Networks

Our Mission

At Palo Alto Networks® everything starts and ends with our mission:

Being the cybersecurity partner of choice, protecting our digital way of life.

Our vision is a world where each day is safer and more secure than the one before. We are a company built on the foundation of challenging and disrupting the way things are done, and we’re looking for innovators who are as committed to shaping the future of cybersecurity as we are.

Our Approach to Work

We lead with personalization and choice in all of our people programs. We have disrupted the traditional view that all employees have the same needs and wants. We offer our employees the opportunity to choose what works best for them as often as possible - from your wellbeing support to your growth and development, and beyond!

Your Career

The Distribution Sales Specialist (DSS)for Commercial has primary responsibility for driving commercial sales (aligned to SMB + Midmarket or Commercial Select) through platform plays designed to drive pipeline creation and bookings growth.  The DSS’s will align with the top 20-25 Commercial focus partners (that are not covered by CBMs or CAMs or another DSS) as well as our distributor-managed, longtail, partners leveraging Distribution for scale. This partner segment represents 50%+ of Commercial’s TNB.  Furthermore, the Field Sales alignment of the DSS will be dedicated to Commercial with specific region/district alignments. We will move to a 1:1 Distributor coverage model for DSS’s with the additional 3 headcount.  The DSS will utilize resources from the Distributors, such as pre-sales engineers, marketing support, and service offerings with these longtail partners to support their growth with PANW. The DSS will also help support our EOMs / EOQs with our Distributors for all Commercial Deals (offloading this from the DBMs) as a resource available on longtail partner deals for our Field teams.

Your Impact

• Develop and execute Commercial Focused Sales Plays
  • NNL Growth Campaigns - The expectation is 20%+ NNL DR growth Y/Y via Disti Managed Partners
  • Cortex and SASE plays to generate 30%+ Y/Y growth through Disti Managed Partners
• Enable the Distributor + Disti’s longtail partners on BD motion, call scripts, and host partner floor days - Create a programmatic model with the Distributor for business development/pipeline creation
• Act as a liaison between Disti-Managed Partners and PANW Commercial Field Reps (DSS will be listed on the Partner’s account in SFDC as the owner and show in the Partner Portal) - This ensures quick turnaround and support for longtail partners w/ our sellers
• Extended Team member of an assigned Commercial Region(s) or Districts (especially SMB) to represent Distribution and the long tail
• Provide Commercial Seller education on NextWave CROE and how to work with Distribution and sell with partners 
• Responsible for semi-annual NextWave Program Compliance efforts working with our Distributors and their partners, including working with distributors on plans to address gaps in Partner requirements and to make the decision on up-leveling, downgrading, or off-boarding these Partners 
• Manage (and delegate as needed) the wide variety of NextWave Program and PRM related requests and issues that can be directed to the NextWave team - These include - NW program questions, certifications not showing under partner record, Deal Registration issues
• Handle (solve or escalate) all escalations related to day-to-day for Disti Managed Partners
• Support resources available to our distributors to assist with tactical inquiries 
• Contribute to the annual business plan process with Disti’s as needed regarding the Distributor’s Top 20-25 focus partners  
• At each end of the month / EOQ,support (managing sales/CBM inquiries on slack for Commercial PO status and using the Collaboration Zoom)

Your Experience

• 2+ years of Sales, Business Development, Channel Sales, or Distribution Sales experience
• Self-starter, motivated, & proactive - Willingness to initiate new ideas and operate with autonomy 
• Working knowledge and experience selling technology, working in a fast-paced environment
• Experience influencing partner/distributor actions and collaborating highly with others  
• Proven ability to communicate effectively and professionally (verbal and written) 
• Strong time management and organizational skills

Our Commitment

We’re trailblazers that dream big, take risks, and challenge cybersecurity’s status quo. It’s simple: we can’t accomplish our mission without diverse teams innovating, together.

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.

The compensation offered for this position will depend on qualifications, experience, and work location. For candidates who receive an offer at the posted level, the starting base salary (for non-sales roles) or base salary + commission target (for sales/com-missioned roles) is expected to be between $136,000/yr to $187,000/yr. The offered compensation may also include restricted stock units and a bonus. A description of our employee benefits may be found here.

Is role eligible for Immigration Sponsorship?: No. Please note that we will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position.