Data and AI Sales Leader

IBM

IBM

Software Engineering, Sales & Business Development, Data Science

California, USA · Texas City, TX, USA

Posted on May 8, 2026
Introduction

At IBM Global Sales, we bring together innovation, collaboration, and deep technical expertise to help clients unlock the full potential of data and artificial intelligence. By combining our leadership in hybrid cloud, data platforms, and AI, we partner with organizations across industries and geographies to solve their most complex challenges and accelerate their digital and AI-driven transformation journeys.

As part of this team, you’ll work at the forefront of Data and AI innovation, collaborating with colleagues, clients, and partners to co-create solutions that turn data into strategic assets and AI into tangible business value. From modern data architectures to generative AI and governance, you will help shape solutions that deliver lasting impact and competitive advantage.

Success in Global Sales is built on curiosity, empathy, and collaboration. You will bridge business and technology—connecting deep technical understanding of data and AI platforms with strong relationship skills to become a trusted advisor to clients. Together, we design and deliver solutions that not only transform businesses but also create meaningful impact for society.

With world-class onboarding, continuous learning, and a strong focus on innovation, IBM provides the environment, tools, and career pathways to help you grow as a leader in the Data and AI space. Join us and be part of a global team that is redefining how organizations harness data and AI to transform the future.

Your role and responsibilities

As a Brand Sales Manager specializing in IBM’s Data and AI Platform, you will coach and enable sales teams across the end-to-end sales lifecycle while accelerating the progression and closure of complex Data and AI opportunities. This role is critical to driving business growth by positioning integrated data, analytics, and AI solutions that deliver measurable client value.

Your primary responsibilities will include:

Coach Sales Teams

Coach and guide sales teams through the full sales lifecycle, from opportunity identification to closure, ensuring effective positioning of Data and AI Platform capabilities. Provide strategic deal support, value articulation, and competitive differentiation to drive successful outcomes.

Opportunity Progression & Deal Acceleration

Actively support the progression and closure of Data and AI opportunities by shaping client engagements, refining value propositions, and addressing both technical and business requirements. Drive complex, multi-solution deals involving data, analytics, automation, and AI.

AI-Driven Solution Positioning & Delivery

Lead the positioning of solutions that integrate data platforms with AI and advanced analytics, leveraging IBM’s portfolio including watsonx (AI and GenAI), OpenPages, Business Analytics Enterprise, Data Fabric capabilities, and governance solutions. Translate client challenges into scalable, AI-enabled solutions that deliver tangible business outcomes.

Sales Strategy Development

Develop and execute sales strategies focused on Data and AI transformation, aligning with IBM’s growth priorities. Identify whitespace opportunities, drive pipeline creation, and expand wallet share through cross-sell and upsell of AI-powered platform capabilities.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Enablement

Partner with technical sales, customer success, product, and marketing teams to enable field sellers with the knowledge, assets, and best practices required to sell Data and AI solutions effectively. Foster strong alignment across ecosystem partners and internal stakeholders.

Required education
Bachelor's Degree
Preferred education
Master's Degree
Required technical and professional expertise

Deep Expertise in Data & AI Solutions

Proven track record in designing and delivering solutions that address client needs by combining data platforms with advanced AI and analytics capabilities. Strong experience with offerings such as watsonx (including GenAI), OpenPages, Business Analytics Enterprise, Data Fabric architectures, and governance and automation solutions, among other related technologies.

Experience with End-to-End Sales Process

Demonstrated ability to coach and support sales teams across the full sales lifecycle—from opportunity identification through to closure—with a focus on accelerating complex Data and AI deals and improving win rates.

Strategic Sales Leadership in Data & AI

Proven capability to develop and execute sales strategies aligned with digital transformation and AI adoption, driving revenue growth, pipeline expansion, and new business opportunities in line with organizational priorities.

Cross-Functional Collaboration and Influence

Strong experience working collaboratively across sales, technical sales, marketing, product, and engineering teams to enable sellers, align go-to-market strategies, and deliver successful Data and AI initiatives.

Mastery of IBM Data & AI Portfolio

Deep knowledge of IBM’s data, analytics, and AI portfolio, including tools such as watsonx Code Assistant, Cognos Analytics, SPSS Modeler, Guardium, data governance solutions, automation capabilities, and AI lifecycle management, with the ability to position integrated, end-to-end solutions.

Knowledge of Market Trends and AI Innovation

Familiarity with emerging trends such as Generative AI (GenAI), LLMs, AI agents, Data Fabric, MLOps, and Responsible AI, with the ability to translate these innovations into business value for clients.

Strong Client and Value Orientation

Ability to connect technology to measurable business outcomes, articulate compelling value propositions, and act as a trusted advisor to clients in their Data and AI transformation journeys.

Preferred technical and professional experience

Data & AI Platform Mastery

Deep expertise across IBM’s Data and AI platform portfolio, with strong familiarity in solutions such as watsonx (including GenAI and AI lifecycle tools), watsonx Code Assistant, Cognos Analytics, SPSS Modeler, Guardium, data governance frameworks, and Data Fabric architectures. Ability to position integrated data and AI capabilities to address complex enterprise use cases.

Advanced Sales Strategy & Deal Shaping

Experience in developing and executing advanced, value-driven sales strategies that drive business growth and revenue expansion. Skilled in shaping complex, multi-offering deals involving data, analytics, automation, and AI, aligning solutions with client transformation agendas and measurable business outcomes.

Cross-Functional Leadership & Enablement

Proven ability to lead and influence across cross-functional teams, including sales, technical sellers, marketing, ecosystem partners, and product organizations. Strong track record in enabling field teams, fostering collaboration, and orchestrating resources to successfully deliver Data and AI initiatives.

AI & Emerging Technology Acumen

Solid understanding of emerging technologies, including Generative AI (GenAI), Large Language Models (LLMs), AI agents, MLOps, and Responsible AI practices, with the ability to translate technical capabilities into differentiated client value.

Technical & Architectural Awareness

Working knowledge of modern data architectures, including lakehouse, data mesh, real-time/streaming data pipelines, API-driven data access, and hybrid/multi-cloud environments, enabling effective engagement with technical stakeholders and solution architects.

Value-Based Selling & Industry Insight

Ability to connect platform capabilities to industry-specific challenges and outcomes, applying value-based selling techniques to articulate ROI, business impact, and strategic differentiation in Data and AI transformations.

ABOUT BUSINESS UNIT

IBM has a global presence, operating in more than 175 countries with a broad-based geographic distribution of revenue. The company’s Global Markets organization is a strategic sales business unit that manages IBM’s global footprint, working closely with dedicated country-based operating units to serve clients locally. These country teams have client relationship managers who lead integrated teams of consultants, solution specialists and delivery professionals to enable clients’ growth and innovation. By complementing local expertise with global experience and digital capabilities, IBM builds deep and broad-based client relationships. This local management focus fosters speed in supporting clients, addressing new markets and making investments in emerging opportunities. Additionally, the Global Markets organization serves clients with expertise in their industry as well as through the products and services that IBM and partners supply. IBM is also expanding its reach to new and existing clients through digital marketplaces.

YOUR LIFE @ IBM

In a world where technology never stands still, we understand that, dedication to our clients success, innovation that matters, and trust and personal responsibility in all our relationships, lives in what we do as IBMers as we strive to be the catalyst that makes the world work better.

Being an IBMer means you’ll be able to learn and develop yourself and your career, you’ll be encouraged to be courageous and experiment everyday, all whilst having continuous trust and support in an environment where everyone can thrive whatever their personal or professional background.

Our IBMers are growth minded, always staying curious, open to feedback and learning new information and skills to constantly transform themselves and our company. They are trusted to provide on-going feedback to help other IBMers grow, as well as collaborate with colleagues keeping in mind a team focused approach to include different perspectives to drive exceptional outcomes for our customers. The courage our IBMers have to make critical decisions everyday is essential to IBM becoming the catalyst for progress, always embracing challenges with resources they have to hand, a can-do attitude and always striving for an outcome focused approach within everything that they do.

Are you ready to be an IBMer?

ABOUT IBM

IBM’s greatest invention is the IBMer. We believe that through the application of intelligence, reason and science, we can improve business, society and the human condition, bringing the power of an open hybrid cloud and AI strategy to life for our clients and partners around the world.

Restlessly reinventing since 1911, we are not only one of the largest corporate organizations in the world, we’re also one of the biggest technology and consulting employers, with many of the Fortune 500 companies relying on the IBM Cloud to run their business.

At IBM, we pride ourselves on being an early adopter of artificial intelligence, quantum computing and blockchain. Now it’s time for you to join us on our journey to being a responsible technology innovator and a force for good in the world.

IBM is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, pregnancy, disability, neurodivergence, age, or other characteristics protected by the applicable law. IBM is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.

OTHER RELEVANT JOB DETAILS

All our positions are eligible for people with disabilities PwD or rehabilitated.

Important Notice to Candidates

IBM does not charge any fees or request any kind of payment from candidates to participate in its recruitment processes. This includes, but is not limited to, application fees, costs for sending documents, or any payment related to the application or interviews. If you receive any request for payment in the name of IBM, we strongly recommend that you do not proceed and report it immediately through the company’s official channels.

See more open positions at IBM