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Solutions Consultant 2 (Pre Sales) - SLED Education - job 2 of 2

Company Description

Our Mission

At Palo Alto Networks® everything starts and ends with our mission:

Being the cybersecurity partner of choice, protecting our digital way of life.
Our vision is a world where each day is safer and more secure than the one before. We are a company built on the foundation of challenging and disrupting the way things are done, and we’re looking for innovators who are as committed to shaping the future of cybersecurity as we are.

Who We Are

We take our mission of protecting the digital way of life seriously. We are relentless in protecting our customers and we believe that the unique ideas of every member of our team contributes to our collective success. Our values were crowdsourced by employees and are brought to life through each of us everyday - from disruptive innovation and collaboration, to execution. From showing up for each other with integrity to creating an environment where we all feel included.

As a member of our team, you will be shaping the future of cybersecurity. We work fast, value ongoing learning, and we respect each employee as a unique individual. Knowing we all have different needs, our development and personal wellbeing programs are designed to give you choice in how you are supported. This includes our FLEXBenefits wellbeing spending account with over 1,000 eligible items selected by employees, our mental and financial health resources, and our personalized learning opportunities - just to name a few!

Job Description

Your Career

The Solutions Consultant is the evolution of the traditional Sales Engineering role, aligning how we best serve our customers in understanding their environment, providing solution guidance and ensuring value realization in their investment with Palo Alto Networks.  As a Solutions Consultant you provide technical leadership and expertise and guidance in your customer’s security transformation journey.  You will play a key role in defining technical solutions that secure a customer’s key business imperatives and ensuring value realization of their investment with Palo Alto Networks.  You evangelize our industry leadership in on-prem, cloud, and security operations services that establish PANW as your customer’s cybersecurity partner of choice.

Your Impact

Curiosity is core to the Solutions Consultant role, and you see complex problems as opportunities to learn and deliver innovative solutions! You define your impact by:

  • Meeting and exceeding sales quotas by building and implementing strategic, technical account plans that target cross-platform solutions
  • Your ability to position, demonstrate and create high level designs across the entire PANW portfolio based on customer business needs
  • Ability to drive customer adoption of Palo Alto Networks Platform. Building customer relationships by helping customers achieve increased productivity, operational efficiency, security efficacy, and greater flexibility to innovate
  • Conducting discovery to understand and articulate the key technical, operational, and commercial imperatives of your prospects and customers
  • Working closely with Professional Services, Customer Success and Specialist teams to ensure overall customer implementation and adoption of solutions
  • Demonstrating strong communication skills, influencing through effective presentations and customer-specific demos, and conducts technical engagements and workshops that are clear and impactful, simplifying complex ideas for various audiences
  • Leading successful technical validation efforts based on best practices to ensure technical win in assigned opportunities
  • Orchestrating supporting resources (Specialists, Channel Resources, Customer Support) to ensure a one-team approach that demonstrates a cohesive strategy
  • Promoting end-to-end solutions that include PANW and/or partner professional services to ensure customers realize business value sooner
  • Understanding the competitive landscape and effectively differentiating PANW's leadership in the cybersecurity space  
  • Continuously investing in yourself to develop technical and professional skills that drive your ever-increasing contributions to success of our customers while actively participating within the Solutions Consultant community and at industry events
  • (OT) - Identifying technical stakeholders and cultivating relationships with key personas to build and drive a security architecture transformation roadmap

Qualifications

Your Experience 

  • 6+ years experience in pre-sales/sales engineering
  • Understanding of data networking and/or modern application design and cloud architectures
  • Delivering cybersecurity solutions that solve technical challenges and influence new business initiatives
  • Influencing and gaining buy-in from key stakeholders, either in a customer-facing or internal role; prior experience in a pre-sales role is ideal
  • Creating and delivering technical presentations, workshops, or technical validation engagements 
  • Experience in selling, designing, implementing, or managing one or more of the following solutions: Network Security, SASE, SaaS, CNAPP and/or SOC Transformation Technologies
  • Partnering with Customer Support functions to ensure successful implementation and adoption of sold solutions
  • Experience in complex sales involving long sales processes with multiple buying centers and multi-product solutions are preferred
  • This is a field sales position where travel requirements may be required to support in person customer meetings, please discuss with the recruiter on the specifics for this position.
  • Proficient in English

Additional Information

The Team

Our Solutions Consultant team members work hand-in-hand with large organizations around the world to keep their digital environments protected. We educate, inspire,and empower our potential clients in their journey to transform their security architectures. 

You are empowered with unmatched systems and tools and a team built on joint success. You won’t find someone at Palo Alto Networks that isn’t committed to your success – with everyone pitching in to assist when it comes to solutions selling, learning, and development. Our Solutions Consulting community is driven by the mission to be our customers’ cybersecurity partner of choice, protecting their digital way of life. 

Compensation Disclosure

The compensation offered for this position will depend on qualifications, experience, and work location. For candidates who receive an offer at the posted level, the starting base salary + commission target (for sales/commissioned roles) is expected to be between $198000/YR - $273000/YR. The offered compensation may also include restricted stock units and a bonus. A description of our employee benefits may be found here.

Our Commitment

We’re problem solvers that take risks and challenge cybersecurity’s status quo. It’s simple: we can’t accomplish our mission without diverse teams innovating, together.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all qualified individuals with a disability. If you require assistance or accommodation due to a disability or special need, please contact us at  [email protected].

Palo Alto Networks is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity in our workplace, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or other legally protected characteristics.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Average salary estimate

$235500 / YEARLY (est.)
min
max
$198000K
$273000K

If an employer mentions a salary or salary range on their job, we display it as an "Employer Estimate". If a job has no salary data, Rise displays an estimate if available.

What You Should Know About Solutions Consultant 2 (Pre Sales) - SLED Education , Palo Alto Networks

Palo Alto Networks is on the lookout for a passionate and innovative Solutions Consultant 2 (Pre Sales) within the SLED Education sector, based in beautiful Santa Clarita, CA. This role goes beyond the traditional sales engineering function, focusing on forging relationships with customers as you help them navigate their cybersecurity transformation. You will immerse yourself in discovering and understanding customer needs, identifying key imperatives, and showcasing how Palo Alto Networks can deliver stellar solutions that exceed their expectations. Picture yourself presenting and demonstrating our cutting-edge security solutions that include Network Security, SASE, and more—always ensuring our customers feel valued and understood. Collaborative teamwork is essential, and you'll work closely with various departments, from Professional Services to Customer Success, orchestrating a unified approach to client engagement. As someone driven by curiosity, you’ll see challenges as opportunities to innovate. Your ability to communicate complex solutions in a straightforward manner will break down barriers, allowing you to influence customer buy-in effectively. With a commitment to continual learning and technical growth, you will be part of a vibrant community dedicated to keeping our customers' digital environments secure. At Palo Alto Networks, you don’t just find a job; you find a career that allows you to make a real impact.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Solutions Consultant 2 (Pre Sales) - SLED Education Role at Palo Alto Networks
What are the responsibilities of a Solutions Consultant 2 (Pre Sales) at Palo Alto Networks?

As a Solutions Consultant 2 (Pre Sales) at Palo Alto Networks, your main responsibilities include understanding customer environments to provide tailored solution guidance, helping clients realize the value of their investments, and building strategic account plans that effectively address their security needs. You'll deliver technical presentations, support customer adoption of solutions, and collaborate with various teams to ensure seamless implementation of services.

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What qualifications are required for the Solutions Consultant 2 (Pre Sales) position at Palo Alto Networks?

To be a successful Solutions Consultant 2 (Pre Sales) at Palo Alto Networks, candidates should have at least 6 years of experience in pre-sales or sales engineering roles. A deep understanding of data networking, modern application design, and cloud architectures is essential. Experience in the cybersecurity domain, particularly in selling and implementing solutions like Network Security and SASE, is significantly advantageous.

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How does the Solutions Consultant role at Palo Alto Networks differ from traditional sales roles?

The Solutions Consultant role at Palo Alto Networks combines technical expertise with strategic sales objectives. Unlike traditional sales roles that may focus on quotas alone, this position involves a hands-on approach in understanding customer needs and delivering customized solutions. Here, your ability to establish relationships and guide clients through their cybersecurity journey is critical to success.

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What skills are important for a Solutions Consultant 2 (Pre Sales) to succeed at Palo Alto Networks?

A Solutions Consultant 2 (Pre Sales) at Palo Alto Networks should possess strong communication skills, allowing for effective presentations and clear technical explanations. Curiosity and problem-solving abilities are vital; this role requires a proactive approach to learning. Additionally, influencing skills and the capacity to build rapport with stakeholders will greatly enhance your effectiveness in this position.

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What growth opportunities exist for Solutions Consultants at Palo Alto Networks?

At Palo Alto Networks, Solutions Consultants are encouraged to continuously develop their technical skills and grow within the company. With access to various learning and professional development programs, employees can expand their expertise in cybersecurity solutions and advance their careers through collaboration with diverse teams and participation in industry events.

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Common Interview Questions for Solutions Consultant 2 (Pre Sales) - SLED Education
Can you explain your approach to understanding a customer's needs as a Solutions Consultant?

In addressing a customer's needs, I prioritize active listening during discovery sessions. I ask open-ended questions to prompt detailed responses, which helps me understand not only their current challenges but also their long-term objectives. This approach enables me to tailor solutions precisely to their requirements.

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How do you stay updated with the latest trends in cybersecurity as a Solutions Consultant?

Staying current in the fast-evolving field of cybersecurity is crucial. I regularly attend industry conferences, webinars, and training sessions. Additionally, I engage with professional communities and networks to exchange insights and knowledge, ensuring I remain well-informed about emerging technologies and best practices.

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Describe a time you successfully influenced a stakeholder in a pre-sales role.

I once worked with a hesitant customer who was unsure about implementing a new security solution. By conducting a tailored demo that addressed their specific pain points and illustrating case studies of similar clients who succeeded, I was able to not only highlight the solution's value but also gain their trust and buy-in.

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What challenges have you faced in previous pre-sales roles, and how did you overcome them?

One significant challenge was managing multiple stakeholders with differing priorities. I navigated this by scheduling regular check-ins, ensuring all parties felt heard and valued. By aligning our messaging to demonstrate the solution's benefits to each stakeholder, I was able to foster collaboration and maintain momentum.

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Can you discuss your experience with presenting technical solutions to non-technical audiences?

I thrive in translating technical concepts into simple terms for non-technical stakeholders. I often use analogies and real-world scenarios, ensuring my audience can grasp the essentials. This not only facilitates better understanding but also strengthens relationships as stakeholders feel more engaged and informed.

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What strategies do you use to build relationships with clients?

Building relationships starts with genuine interest in the customer's success. I invest time in understanding their business goals and challenges. Regular follow-ups, personalized communication, and delivering on promises are tactics I employ to establish and maintain strong, trustworthy relationships.

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How do you handle a situation where a planned solution doesn't meet a customer's expectations?

I approach such situations with transparency and empathy. First, I listen carefully to the customer's concerns without becoming defensive. Then, I work collaboratively with them to understand the gaps and brainstorm alternative solutions or adjustments that can better meet their needs.

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What role does teamwork play in your success as a Solutions Consultant?

Teamwork is fundamental in my role. Collaborating with colleagues across departments allows us to share insights and leverage collective expertise. By ensuring a unified strategy and consistent messaging, we can maximize our impact and provide cohesive support throughout the customer journey.

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How do you prioritize your responsibilities in a fast-paced sales environment?

In fast-paced environments, I prioritize tasks based on urgency and impact. I use planning tools to set daily and weekly goals, allowing me to focus on high-impact activities that align with sales targets while remaining flexible to adjust as new opportunities arise.

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Explain how you approach technical validation for a new solution.

My approach to technical validation involves first gathering requirements from the customer and then aligning those with best practices. I conduct thorough testing to ensure all aspects of the solution meet specified criteria, and I prepare detailed reports that provide evidence of successful outcomes to demonstrate reliability.

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Being the cybersecurity partner of choice, protecting our digital way of life.

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March 27, 2025

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