Senior Sales Manager, Sub-Saharan Africa

As a Senior Sales Manager at Cloudflare, you will be responsible for driving sales growth by exceeding quotas, managing a team of Account Executives, and providing daily guidance on sales strategies. Additionally, you'll help develop Go-To-Market plans, onboard new hires, and maintain key industry relationships to bolster Cloudflare's presence in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The Senior Sales Manager role at Cloudflare requires a minimum of 20 years of sales experience, with at least 10 years in the Sub-Saharan Africa market. Successful candidates will have experience in managing a team of quota-carrying sales reps, preferably in SaaS, Cloud, or Cybersecurity, and should possess excellent communication skills and a solid network within the industry.

The Senior Sales Manager at Cloudflare directly impacts business goals by driving revenue growth, developing effective sales strategies, and ensuring the successful onboarding and development of a high-performing sales team. This role ensures Cloudflare's services reach more customers, which supports the company's mission to build a better Internet.

Cloudflare’s work culture is centered around diversity, inclusion, and continuous learning. As a Senior Sales Manager, you will benefit from a collaborative environment with a team that supports personal and professional development. Cloudflare values innovative thinking and encourages team members to contribute to building a secure and accessible Internet.

Technical knowledge is crucial for the Senior Sales Manager role at Cloudflare, as you’ll be tasked with selling complex solutions to customers. Understanding Internet technologies and cybersecurity will enable you to effectively coach your team, address customer needs, and articulate Cloudflare's value proposition in the market.

In your response, highlight a supportive and collaborative management approach that emphasizes coaching and development. Give examples of how you have successfully motivated teams to achieve sales targets, emphasizing the importance of aligning team goals with company objectives.

Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to narrate a specific instance where you not only met but surpassed your sales goals. Focus on the strategies you employed and the lessons learned, which can be applied at Cloudflare.

Discuss your understanding of the Sub-Saharan African market and suggest targeted strategies such as local partnerships, tailored marketing campaigns, or specific training programs for your sales team to enhance performance and drive growth.

Talk about your methods for keeping up-to-date, whether through industry publications, professional networks, or attending conferences. Convey your commitment to lifelong learning and adapting to new technologies in your sales approach.

Provide an example that showcases your ability to prioritize effectively while maintaining team productivity. Explain how you managed your time, delegated tasks, or utilized resources to ensure all priorities were met without compromising quality.

Discuss techniques for relationship-building, such as active listening, regular communication, and follow-ups. Highlight a successful partnership or client relationship you've developed and the impact it had on sales.

Explain key sales metrics like quota attainment, pipeline velocity, and customer acquisition cost. Share how you have previously used analytics and reporting tools to drive decision-making and improve sales outcomes.

Outline a step-by-step approach that includes identifying training needs, establishing a structured curriculum, and utilizing mentorship from experienced team members. Describe how you would incorporate feedback and continuous improvement into the program.

Identify common challenges such as market entry barriers or competition. Discuss potential strategies for overcoming these challenges, including local market research, customization of services, or collaboration with local entities.

Communicate your alignment with Cloudflare's mission of building a better Internet, and express your passion for cybersecurity and technology. Highlight what excites you about the company culture and its commitment to diverse teams.