Pre-Sales Architect - Cybersecurity

Cognizant is seeking a highly skilled Pre‑Sales Architect to join our Cybersecurity practice, supporting clients in navigating complex security challenges in an increasingly digital and AI‑driven world. This role sits at the intersection of consulting and strategic pre‑sales, working closely with clients, sales teams, and technical experts to shape and position innovative cybersecurity solutions. The successful candidate will act as a trusted advisor, translating business needs into robust, outcome‑driven security strategies while driving growth, differentiation, and long‑term client partnerships.

• Responsible for Cyber Security & Networks Solutions and Services business growth and pipeline generation in partnership with the sales leaders and sales enablement within sales account teams.
• Partners with account teams to identify, solution and close opportunities within the account base.
• Training and educating Vertical and other Horizontal Sales team on Cognizant Security Portfolio.
• Driving solutions for managed services opportunities collaborating with offshore based teams.
• Articulating the Cybersecurity solution and value proposition to clients, as part of large managed services / IT outsourcing engagements.
• Responsible for engaging in proactive conversations with security collaborators on current trends, client’s landscape and enable solutions to address security challenges.
• Willing and able to travel approximately 30%.

• Experience in Cybersecurity solutions & Palo Alto Networks related to Service sales, Program management, Technical Solution centric sales.
• Experience in working with one or more Cybersecurity technology solution companies and understanding of their solution portfolio such as Palo Alto, Cisco, Zscaler, Crowdstrike etc.
• Experience in articulating joint value proposition of Cognizant Security Services and Palo Alto Networks Solutions.
• Work with GSI team of Palo Alto Networks to track pipeline, perform account planning and drive client conversations along with Palo Alto Networks account representatives.
• Experience in Security Consulting, Security Professional Services and Managed Services solution experience.
• Experience in preparing solution presentations, proposals (word / ppt), statement of work, effort price estimation and pricing/commercial model.
• Good working experience with market leading security technologies with in SIEM, Network and Endpoint Security, Cloud Security, Identity and Access Management etc.
• Ability to articulate technology solution value proposition to business collaborators, partners and team members.
• Experience with developing Trusted Advisor relationships at the C Level with in F200 & F500 Accounts.
• Works closely with other Cognizant practices and geographic regions to ensure that Cognizant continues to operate effectively as one firm.
• Strong Information Cybersecurity Technology Background.
• Prior experience in presales solutioning and client management.
• Ability to partner with additional collaborators in a matrixed environment and provide inputs to offering development teams on market requirements to enable them to create innovative differentiated offerings.
• Good communication skills in complex client relationship model.
• Bachelor’s Degree required or equivalent experience.

• Security certifications such as CISA or CISM or CISSP preferred.
• Understanding of the Palo Alto Networks portfolios including Prisma SASE, Prisma Cloud, Cortex XDR, XSIAM, XSOAR and Strata platforms.
• Experience in Large Opportunities management.
• Palo Alto Networks Certifications.
• Master's Degree in Cybersecurity/Networking or related field.