About this Managing Director Security Sales - West role at Thinkahead
Position Overview
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Security Sales Leader to drive the growth and execution of our Security business in the West US region. This role requires a high-performing, customer-centric executive with a proven track record of building and scaling high-performing teams and working within the reseller / integrator ecosystem (including OEMs that sell via the channel model).
You will be responsible for the AHEAD Security business for the West US region, which includes managing and developing a team of Security Sales Specialists across the West to execute the AHEAD Security go-to-market and grow the Security business. You will build strong relationships with key customers, OEM partners, regional core sales leadership, and internal stakeholders.
This is a senior leadership role with direct ownership of regional security performance, including growth of bookings with a heavy focus on services growth.
Sales Leadership & Strategy
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Own and execute the cybersecurity sales strategy for the West region, driving revenue and margin growth across all verticals and accounts.
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Partner closely with regional core sales leadership (EVPs and MDs) to stay aligned on regional goals, account coverage, and execution.
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Measure and manage security performance in both install base and net-new accounts, ensuring pipeline health and forecast accuracy.
Team Management & Development
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Lead, develop, and grow a high-performing team of Security Sales Specialists focused on AHEAD’s security portfolio.
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Ramp new reps to full productivity through 1:1s, deal coaching, QBRs, account strategy reviews, and skills development.
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Set clear expectations and operating rhythms around territory planning, pipeline generation, forecast discipline, and account execution.
Services & Solution Development
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Collaborate with core sales, engineering, partner alliances, and services teams to enhance security go-to-market strategies, including:
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Priority sales plays (e.g., AI security, SASE, CTEM, SOC modernization)
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Pre-sales focus areas and solution architectures
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Professional services, managed security services (MSSP), and advisory offerings
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Align security services and solutions to client outcomes, ensuring repeatable plays that scale across the region.
Vendor & Partner Alignment
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Work in partnership with the Director of Strategic Security Partners (and security alliances team) to cultivate and manage relationships with top cybersecurity OEM sales leadership).
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Support and co-own regional events, joint account planning, and executive briefings to drive joint pipeline and influence.
Customer Engagement
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Engage directly with strategic West-region clients to build peer-to-peer security leadership relationships and position AHEAD as a trusted advisor.
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Partner with your Security Sales Specialists to shape account strategies, guide opportunity pursuit, and ensure solutions are tightly mapped to business outcomes.
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Support regional client events, executive dinners, and EBCs focused on integrated and AI-driven security outcomes.
Ownership of the West Security Business
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Own the security business for the West region in partnership with the VP of Security Sales.
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Review rep forecasts and commits for accuracy, leveraging CRM and BI tools (e.g., Salesforce, Power BI) to drive a disciplined forecasting culture.
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Roll up accurate team commits across Product, Professional Services, and Managed Services and communicate risks and upside clearly.
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Track and analyze key performance KPIs, including:
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Vendor-specific growth trends
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Services attach rates and services mix
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Margin performance (Y/Y and Q/Q)
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New logo and expansion performance
Qualifications
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10+ years of experience in IT sales, with at least 3–5 years focused on cybersecurity solutions.
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Deep understanding of the Channel business, including experience at or with value-added resellers (VARs) and systems integrators (SIs).
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5+ years of sales leadership experience, including management of quota-carrying sellers; demonstrated success in building and scaling teams and leading geographically distributed organizations.
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Strong understanding of cybersecurity solutions such as Security Operations (EDR/XDR, SIEM), Network Security (SASE, SSE), Cloud Security, Identity Security, and Data Security, and familiarity with leading vendors (Palo Alto Networks, Fortinet, Cisco, Wiz, CrowdStrike, Zscaler, and others).
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Proven ability to build trusted relationships with C-level executives, CISOs, and security leaders, acting as a strategic advisor.
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Experience leading in a matrixed environment, collaborating across sales, services, marketing, and alliances.
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Strong analytical, communication, and presentation skills; comfortable operating in QBRs, ELT reviews, and client executive briefings.
Why Join us
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Competitive base salary + uncapped commission with meaningful upside for overachievement.
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Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits.
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401(k) with company match.
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Opportunity to lead and shape a rapidly growing Security practice in a high-visibility regional leadership role.
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Direct access to leading security vendors and partners and a strong internal bench of security architects, engineers, and advisors.
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Collaborative, entrepreneurial culture that rewards initiative, ownership, and innovation.