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Introduction

 

A Data Platform Sales Manager role within IBM means owning the go-to-market success of one of our most critical software domains. As a first-line sales manager you will lead a team of high-performing sellers across a spectrum of experience levels, from early-career talent to seasoned sales professionals.

 

This role requires leadership in both strategy and execution: shaping account plans, overseeing full sales cycles, and partnering across a matrixed global organization. We lead with transparency, data, and urgency. The ideal candidate embraces ownership, moves quickly, and helps their team growth through trust and accountability. Our sales motion demands both technical fluency and strong commercial instincts—you must be equally comfortable discussing product telemetry with engineers and structuring transformation software agreements with C-level executives. Success in this role will be measured by pipeline generation, quota attainment, win rate improvement, and seller enablement metrics. 

 

If you thrive in a performance-oriented culture, excel at developing sales talent, and have a passion for data and AI innovation, this is your opportunity to lead from the front. 

 

Your role and responsibilities

 

As a Data Platform Sales Manager, you will:

  • Lead with Purpose: Motivate and coach a geographically distributed sales team with varied tenure, fostering a culture of accountability, execution, and growth.
  • Drive Full-Cycle Sales Excellence: Oversee and support every stage of the sales lifecycle—from pipeline creation to deal closure—ensuring execution rigor and forecast accuracy.
  • Prioritize Performance and Insights: Manage performance with a focus on leading indicators, leveraging analytics and CRM insights to drive decisions.
  • Collaborate in a Matrixed Organization: Partner effectively across technical specialists, marketing, customer success, and product teams to deliver value to clients.
  • Champion Modern Sales Practices: Apply agile selling, digital tools, and customer-centric storytelling to differentiate IBM’s offerings in a competitive landscape.

 

 

Required education
Bachelor's Degree
Required technical and professional expertise
  • Enterprise Software Sales Leadership: Proven experience managing a full-cycle B2B software sales team, ideally across both cloud and on-prem data platforms
  • Quota and Pipeline Discipline: Demonstrated track record of exceeding sales targets and building sustainable pipeline coverage
  • Analytical and Operational Acumen: Ability to leverage sales performance data and analytics to coach, inspect, and forecast accurately
  • Team Development: Experience developing early-career sellers and cultivating a high-performance, inclusive sales culture
Preferred technical and professional experience

 

  • Familiarity with Data and AI Platform Technologies: Exposure to enterprise data tools such as databases, analytics engines, ETL/ELT platforms, or data governance frameworks.
  • Experience with Strategic Accounts or Regulated Industries: Understanding of complex procurement and compliance requirements in industries like financial services, healthcare, or government.
  • IBM Ecosystem Knowledge: Familiarity with IBM’s software portfolio (e.g., watsonx, Db2, Cloud Pak for Data), or experience selling within the IBM partner ecosystem.

 

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 50 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, caste, genetics, pregnancy, disability, neurodivergence, age, veteran status, or other characteristics. IBM is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.


OTHER RELEVANT JOB DETAILS

IBM offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program. Eligible employees may have access to:

  • Healthcare benefits including medical & prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, and mental health & well being
  • Financial programs such as 401(k), the IBM Employee Stock Purchase Plan, financial counseling, life insurance, short & long- term disability coverage, and opportunities for performance based salary incentive programs
  • Generous paid time off including 12 holidays, minimum 56 hours sick time, 120 hours vacation, 12 weeks parental bonding leave in accordance with IBM Policy, and other Paid Care Leave programs. IBM also offers paid family leave benefits to eligible employees where required by applicable law
  • Training and educational resources on our personalized, AI-driven learning platform where IBMers can grow skills and obtain industry-recognized certifications to achieve their career goals
  • Diverse and inclusive employee resource groups, giving & volunteer opportunities, and discounts on retail products, services & experiences


We consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable law.


This position was posted on the date cited in the key job details section and is anticipated to remain posted for 21 days from this date or less if not needed to fill the role.

IBM will not be providing visa sponsorship for this position now or in the future. Therefore, in order to be considered for this position, you must have the ability to work without a need for current or future visa sponsorship.