Field Solution Architect, ERATE

In this role, you will help support networking-focused opportunities for K-12, higher education, government, and other public sector customers.

You will partner with Account Managers, Sales teams, vendor partners, and experienced technical resources to understand customer needs, document requirements, support solution recommendations, and learn how to deliver meaningful technology outcomes for customers using Connection’s broad solution portfolio.

This role will require understanding and experience with ERATE programs and policies as well as collaboration with services partners to execute ERATE projects.

• Support Public Sector networking opportunities by helping discover, qualify, and document customer requirements.
• Partner with Account Managers, Sales teams, vendor partners, and internal technical resources to support customer conversations and solution development.
• Assist with networking-focused recommendations involving switching, routing, wireless, security, and related infrastructure solutions.
• Ask thoughtful discovery questions to better understand customer environments, timelines, procurement requirements, funding considerations, and business outcomes.
• Participate in sales team calls, opportunity reviews, customer planning discussions, and internal enablement activities.
• Learn public sector and E-rate sales cycles, including eligible solution categories, documentation expectations, and customer funding considerations.
• Pursue assigned vendor training, technical sales certifications, and internal learning paths to continue developing your skills.
• Support customer-facing and internal events as a technical sales-support and enablement resource.

Because of the possibility for fraudulent job postings on many popular job boards, please be advised that Connection will never offer a position of employment without a complete interview process and communication with a “live person".

• Experience and understanding of ERATE programs and policies
• Ability to manage services partners to collaborate on execution on ERATE opportunities
• An understanding of leading manufacturers routing and switching architecture.
• Ability to lead and conduct workshops and demonstrations.
• Experience with storage and virtualization products from leading manufacturers.
• Demonstrates an understanding of Converged Infrastructure concepts and the benefits that Cloud solutions provide.
• Working knowledge and/or familiarity with the following technologies would be helpful but Cisco Networking skills are required. HP, Dell, Lenovo and Cisco Blade and Rack Servers systems and related storage products Enterprise Storage Arrays - HP, EMC, IBM, Dell, NetApp Converged and/or Hyper-Converged platforms Software Defined Networking (SDN) and Software Defined Data Center (SDDC) Cloud Solution Offerings and providers VMware, Citrix, and Microsoft products Microsoft Enterprise environment Linux, UNIX or AIX Enterprise environment Data Center consolidation and Cloud solutions Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity
• HP, Dell, Lenovo and Cisco Blade and Rack Servers systems and related storage products
• Enterprise Storage Arrays - HP, EMC, IBM, Dell, NetApp
• Converged and/or Hyper-Converged platforms
• Software Defined Networking (SDN) and Software Defined Data Center (SDDC)
• Cloud Solution Offerings and providers
• VMware, Citrix, and Microsoft products
• Microsoft Enterprise environment
• Linux, UNIX or AIX Enterprise environment
• Data Center consolidation and Cloud solutions
• Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity
• Verifiably successful professional Business-to-Business solutions selling experience with account planning skills and experience with up-sell and cross-sell strategies
• Excellent time management and prioritization with strong organizational skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with ability to prepare and deliver presentations which clearly and articulately demonstrate the value proposition.
• Advance negotiation skills.