Business Development Specialist

About the Role: As a Business Development Specialist for the Cisco account in India, you will be responsible for engaging with Ciscos Sales, CX, Engineering, and Specialist teams to build strong relationships, position Gruve as a trusted partner, and drive business growth through world-class service delivery. Success in this role requires strategic thinking, problem-solving, empathy, and accountability to effectively align Gruves capabilities with Ciscos needs and create long-term value. Key Responsibilities: Engage with Cisco Prospects : Connect with key stakeholders across Sales, CX, Engineering, and Specialist teams to position Gruve as a trusted advisor, showcase success stories, and highlight our value proposition. Facilitate Meetings : Schedule and conduct face-to-face and virtual meetings with Cisco teams to introduce Gruve’s service offerings and explore collaboration opportunities. Execute Action Items : Diligently track and follow up on action items across internal and external teams, ensuring timely execution within agreed timelines. Track Opportunities & Progress : Maintain a detailed record of opportunities (Sales Force), meeting notes, project status, and challenges to drive informed decision-making. Proposal Development & Negotiation : Collaborate with the Presales team to draft and submit proposals, ensuring strategic negotiations that align with Gruve’s profitability and long-term success. Regular Follow-Ups : Maintain consistent communication with prospects to gather feedback, monitor project updates, and address any challenges. Strategic Account Planning: Partner with Gruve leadership to develop an account strategy, map key stakeholders, and execute a focused growth plan. Continuous Improvement & Competitive Insights : Work closely with Cisco teams to identify areas for improvement, gather internal feedback, and analyze competition to enhance Gruve’s positioning. Basic Qualifications : Education : Bachelor’s degree in business, Marketing, Sales, Engineering, or a related field. Experience : 3-5 years of business development, sales, or account management experience, preferably in IT services, cloud, networking, or cybersecurity. Cisco Ecosystem Knowledge : Familiarity with Cisco’s product portfolio (Networking, Security, AI, CX, Cloud, etc.) and engagement models. Relationship Management, Communication & Negotiation skills Strong work ethics-Detailed oriented and good documentation skills Preferred Qualifications Experience with Cisco partner programs Cisco Sales, Presales Certifications with a moderate level of technical understanding Strong account planning and strategy