Brand Sales Specialist– Entry Level Sales Program 2026

Position Overview

Technology Sales at IBM is evolving its way of working to break beyond boundaries with innovative approaches. Preferring to 'show' vs. 'tell', we’re looking for recent graduates and/or individuals with early career sales experience who want to combine their technical interests and education with the people skills needed to prospect and co-create with customers, partners, and colleagues on solutions to our clients’ most complex business challenges. In a world where technology moves at speed, it’s essential that we stay ahead of the curve to provide tailored solutions that meet our clients’ needs. It’s not enough for us to have the technical expertise – we need to be great with people to empathize, understand, and collaborate on technical solutions that will improve lives all over the world. A Brand Sales Specialist role within IBM means you’re providing clients with the heartbeat of their digital enterprise. With solutions that are secure, reliable, scalable, sustainable, and integratable with hybrid cloud and AI, you’ll be co-creating with colleagues and clients to deliver the engine at the centre of their digital transformation’s success. IBM’s comprehensive onboarding and industry leading learning culture will set you up for positive impact and success, while ongoing development will continually advance your career in a collaborative and experiential sales environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Sales Prospecting: Apply IBM’s sales methodology to identify new clients and opportunities for expansion with existing clients through multiple channels (email, phone, video creation, social media), including considerable cold calling.
• Education and Enablement: Begin your journey at IBM with 6 weeks of virtual Global Sales School training followed by 2+ weeks of in-person, hands-on training alongside your peers to expand your product knowledge and sales expertise.
• Building Credibility and Trust: Use consultative methods at all levels, both internally and externally, to facilitate the closure of highly complex deals.
• Solution-Selling Expertise in Business Development: Identify and engage decision makers and influencers, assess business opportunities, and address client requirements to establish enduring, strategic partnerships.
• Account Planning and Business Value Articulation: Oversee a dedicated client portfolio and clearly convey the distinctive value of IBM’s technology at both technical and business levels.
• End-to-End Sales Process Management: Take charge of the complete sales process, including RFI/RFP response preparation and KPI attainment, with a focus on new business sales as well as extending services to existing accounts.
• Collaboration Across IBM Sales Ecosystem: Work closely with Marketing, Sales, technical colleagues, and IBM Business Partners to formulate sales campaigns and augment the pipeline.

Required Qualifications

• Confidence to contact and engage potential new customers and deliver an elevated customer experience.
• Motivation to achieve sales targets, business objectives, and high client satisfaction.
• Aptitude to utilize selling technologies to network, engage clients, and identify new business opportunities.
• Embrace curiosity and maintain a growth mindset.
• Technical Education: B.S. or M.S. in Business/Communications with a STEM minor, Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or similar technical discipline.
• Client Focused: Asks open-ended questions and understands customer needs to address business challenges.
• Tech Savvy: Conversant about technology, aware of latest industry trends, and knowledgeable about applying these innovations to solve business challenges.
• Team Player: Demonstrates strong collaboration skills and can navigate varying communication styles.
• Excellent Communication Skills: Possesses engaging, compelling, and influential verbal, written, and interpersonal abilities.
• Self-Starter: Motivated to work independently with clients and lead projects without extensive supervision.
• Readiness to travel up to 20%.
• Location: Atlanta GA, Boston MA, Chicago IL, Dallas TX, New York NY, Raleigh NC, San Francisco CA, Costa Mesa, CA, Washington DC
• Approximately 25% travel may be required based on client and business needs.
• IBM will not be providing visa sponsorship for this position now or in the future. Applicants must have the ability to work without current or future sponsorship.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Associate's Degree/College Diploma
• Programming coursework or experience is a plus.

Benefits & Perks

• IBM offers a collaborative environment with ongoing development, comprehensive onboarding, and industry-leading learning opportunities to advance your career.