AVP - Client Partner

Leading at Cognizant

This is a Leadership role at Cognizant. We believe how you lead is as important as what you deliver. Cognizant leaders at every level: Drive our business strategy and inspire teams around our future. Live the leadership behaviors, leading themselves, others and the business. Uphold our Values, role modeling them in every action and decision. Nurture our people and culture, creating a workplace where all can thrive.

At Cognizant, leadership transcends titles and is embodied in actions and behaviors. We empower our leaders at every level to drive business strategy, inspire teams, uphold our values, and foster an inclusive culture.

About the role

As a Portfolio Head, you will make an impact by managing a portfolio of accounts within our professional services business leading a team of client partners and client relationship managers. You will help drive the growth of the portfolio.

In this role, you will:

• Acts as the leader of the accounts to drive new, renewal, and expanded business opportunities, revenue streams, profitable growth, and client satisfaction for all Cognizant solution portfolios
• Regularly reviews account performance metrics and client satisfaction with Cognizant senior management, engagement, delivery, operations, and finance teams to optimize account performance
• Drives the KPIs used to measure contribution to the growth of the client’s business and company performance
• Manages account P&L to meet or exceed specified revenue and profitability targets
• Formulates winning long-term account growth plans through collaboration with multiple Cognizant stakeholders (service lines, innovation teams, partners, business teams)
• Establish high-level and tactical relationships with all internal Cognizant stakeholders to ensure account success (e.g., sales, operations, marketing, on-shore & off-shore delivery)
• Consistently demonstrate the Cognizant Way to Lead, which means operating with Personal Leadership (building trust, collaboration, and inclusion), Organizational Leadership (driving vision and purpose, demonstrating a strategic and enterprise mindset, and creating and communicating a bold direction that inspires purpose), and Business Leadership (exemplifying client focus, managing ambiguity with accountability and results, and operating with financial acumen)

What you need to have to be considered

• 15 years of industry domain experience with at least 10 years in account management and business development roles
• Experience in managing large, multimillion-dollar client P&L, including reporting and metric assessment
• Strong track record of managing different selling contexts, ranging from sales, new sales, sales programs, and existing annuity business
• Extensive experience in positioning and selling digital services / solutions
• Bachelor’s degree in technology or science, or equivalent experience
• Embodiment of the Cognizant Way to Lead: Leading Self, Leading Others, & Leading the Business
• The embodiment of Cognizant’s Values of: Work as One, Dare to Innovate, Raise the Bar, Do The right Thing, & Own It

These will help you succeed

• 10 years of executive selling experience in an industry-relevant consulting firm or professional services account engagement role
• Experience in managing large, extensive, global clients involving globally complex deals
• In-depth understanding of the client business, technology, and services sales domains to be selling into
• Experience in off-shore delivery models and in managing globally dispersed teams
• Master’s degree in technology, MBA degree, or equivalent experience

Work model

We believe hybrid work is the way forward as we strive to provide flexibility wherever possible. Based on this role’s business requirements, this is a hybrid position requiring 3 days a week in a client or Cognizant office. Regardless of your working arrangement, we are here to support a healthy work-life balance though our various wellbeing programs.

The working arrangements for this role are accurate as of the date of posting. This may change based on the project you’re engaged in, as well as business and client requirements. Rest assured; we will always be clear about role expectations

We're excited to meet people who share our mission and can make an impact in a variety of ways. Don't hesitate to apply, even if you only meet the minimum requirements listed. Think about your transferable experiences and unique skills that make you stand out as someone who can bring new and exciting things to this role.

Salary and Other Compensation:

Applications will be accepted until January 2, 2026.

The annual salary for this position is between $171,051- $316,500 depending on the experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

This position is also eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual incentive program and stock awards, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant’s applicable plans.

Benefits: Cognizant offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:

• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance
• Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off
• 401(k) plan and contributions
• Long-term/Short-term Disability
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.