Principal Presales Consultant; Networking) OCTO · United Kingdom

About Node4

We are a united force driven by a single ambition; to deliver faster transformation, lower cost, and truly differentiated outcomes - we do this by bringing together our AI Augmented MSP platform, hybrid sovereign cloud solutions, deep Microsoft expertise and the Node4 People

We are:

Nimble
- We focus on what matters most, adapt fast and embrace change

Original
- We think differently, stay curious and innovate

Driven
- We are bold, bring energy and own the outcome

Engaged
- We operate as one, building strong relationships

4 More
- We always go further for our people, customers and partners

As a Principal Consultant, you are one of the most respected experts in your specialist subject area. You have a broad understanding of technology and of the whole Node4 portfolio of offerings, plus a good awareness of the commercial drivers that make the business successful.

As Principal Presales Consultant your primary responsibility is to develop relationships with clients and cultivate a pipeline of work for the delivery teams. You are a good listener and a persuasive communicator; able to build empathy with a client and help guide them towards a solution that meets their needs. You are also strengthening the team for the future – collaborating across the business to develop, improve and create propositions that meet the changing needs of our client base.

You have credibility in delivering an outcome for a client, providing exceptional service while delivering solutions that are effective, maintainable and commercially sustainable. You may be called upon to provide specific expertise to a client. This may be as part of a billable engagement.

Principal Presales Consultants report into the Head of Presales for their area, to provide high-quality services to Node4 clients and internal business functions. You will be required to work across multiple business units including Sales, Marketing, Architecture and Delivery.

• Provide strong technical leadership and advocate the effective use of technology to solve complex and varied business problems.
• Be able to take customer requirements (business and technical) and formulate detailed technical solutions for proposals.
• Guide clients in the evaluation of service choices; provide information and demonstrations to assess business fit and value.
• Actively listen to a client to understand their needs and sensitively challenge their assumptions to explore for root causes.
• Shape a solution within constraints (e.g. budget, timescales, regulatory requirements…).
• Talk persuasively and credibly to clients and stakeholders about proposed solutions and then negotiate to reach an agreed plan.
• Understand the commercial levers that affect profitability. Adapt a proposal to fit a desired commercial model (e.g. balance of CAPEX and OPEX).
• Understand risk management and governance, and shape proposals in a way that aims to protect the company.
• Use Node4 technology strategy to inform client-specific technical strategies; contribute to Account Development Plans for priority clients.
• Consult with other subject matter experts (e.g. delivery engineers and management, architects and PMO) to create well-informed proposals.
• Delegate tasks and responsibilities within a pitch team to balance demands and provide opportunities for others to learn.
• Have exceptional time management skills to balance the demands of multiple clients and opportunities.
• Interface with internal teams to help unblock technical or business challenges.
• Contribute to the future success of the team and the business through winning new work, developing new propositions and through coaching and mentoring more junior consultants.
• Help to develop the Go-To-Market strategy for the network portfolio
• Build strong relationships with key vendors and partners
• Follow appropriate departmental and company procedures and policies.

• Clear credibility in the infrastructure domain.
• Very strong technical knowledge of networking and connectivity, including LAN, WiFi, WAN (including SD-WAN), and network security.
• Good understanding of Fortinet, Cisco/ Cisco Meraki and Juniper product sets and offerings.
• Good commercial acumen, numerical ability and desire to grow revenues, while considering the impact of making decisions across the department.
• Excellent communications skills at all levels from C-Suite to engineering. Must be able to translate complex problems succinctly, accurately, and coherently to all types of stakeholders.
• Influence others through verbal communication and be able to articulate and present technical information in a structured and authoritative manner, while gaining credibility for your own technical expertise.
• Strong problem-solving nature, with the ability to examine a problem and involve the appropriate people at the appropriate time.
• Proven leadership skills and the ability to influence cross-functional teams without formal authority.
• You will be highly motivated and able to lead by example and…