Account Executive – Cloud & AI

Cisco AI 5G Account Executive

As an Account Executive focused on the Service Provider segment in Japan, you will take a leadership role in driving Cisco’s strategic engagement and growth with key telecommunications customers. Your mission is to build trusted relationships with CxO-level stakeholders, understand their technology transformation journey, and lead Cisco’s end-to-end engagement to deliver impactful business outcomes. You will be responsible for shaping account strategy, coordinating internal/external teams, and accelerating adoption of Cisco’s next-generation networking, cloud, AI, security, and 5G solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and drive the overall business relationship with assigned Japanese Service Provider accounts (including Tier-1 telecom carriers, ISPs, cable operators, and emerging new entrants).
• Develop and execute comprehensive account strategies and annual business plans aligned with both customer and Cisco objectives.
• Drive multi-architecture solution sales spanning routing, switching, optical, 5G, security, AI infrastructure, and software platforms.
• Understand customers’ business models, investment priorities, and technical architecture roadmaps; influence decision-making processes with insight-based selling.
• Lead and orchestrate cross-functional teams including pre-sales engineers, technical specialists, product business units, and channel partners to create and close large opportunities.
• Collaborate with ecosystem partners (hyperscalers, integrators, OSS/BSS vendors) to deliver holistic solutions and co-innovation.
• Maintain accurate sales forecasting, pipeline visibility, and account health metrics in CRM tools.
• Represent Cisco at customer executive briefings, industry events, and strategic planning meetings to position Cisco as a long-term innovation partner.

Required Qualifications

• 7 – 10+ years of experience in sales, business development, or account management within the telecom, IT, or cloud industry.
• Track record of success in complex, consultative sales to large enterprise or service provider customers.
• Strong knowledge of Japan’s telecom ecosystem, including 5G/6G, edge computing, AI/ML workloads, cloud-native architecture, and carrier networking trends.
• Deep understanding of business models of mobile/fixed-line operators, network convergence, and monetization strategies.
• Ability to engage at executive and operational levels, and to articulate both business value and technical differentiation.
• Fluent in Japanese; strong English proficiency (written and verbal) for global coordination.
• Collaborative mindset, self-starter, and results-oriented with strong ownership mentality.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working at or selling to NTT Group, KDDI, SoftBank, Rakuten Mobile, cable operators, or regional ISPs.
• Knowledge of Cisco’s portfolio is a plus.
• Familiarity with AI infrastructure, private 5G, mobile core, RIC, transport, and automation platforms.