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AWS Alliance Sales - Auto (North America)

VML, Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60290

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Who We Are

VML, part of WPP, is a leading creative company that combines brand experience, customer experience, and commerce, creating connected brands to drive growth. VML is celebrated for its innovative and human first, award-winning work for blue chip client partners including AstraZeneca, Colgate-Palmolive, Dell, Ford, Microsoft, Nestlé, The Coca-Cola Company, and Wendy's. The agency is recognized by the Forrester Wave™ Reports, as a Leader among Marketing Creative and Content Service Providers, Commerce Services, Global Digital Experience Services, Global Marketing Services and, most recently, Marketing Measurement & Optimization. In addition, VML's specialist health network, VML Health, is one of the world's largest and most awarded health agencies. VML's global network is powered by 26,000 talented people across 55+ markets, with principal offices in Kansas City, New York, Detroit, London, São Paulo, Shanghai, Singapore, and Sydney.

About WPP

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world's leading brands. We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company - powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. For more information, visit WPP.com.

ALLIANCE SALES, AWS

Location:

Remote US

Focus:

Automotive

Region:

North America

The Opportunity

VML Enterprise Solutions is scaling our AWS alliance-powered sales capability within the Automotive vertical. We're seeking a strategic partner seller to drive joint business development and go-to-market initiatives with AWS's automotive and manufacturing teams-accelerating revenue growth for VML's connected vehicle, customer experience, and data transformation solutions with major OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers.

This role sits at the intersection of alliance activation and enterprise sales. Working as a key liaison between VML and AWS sales organizations, you will develop and execute joint account plans, coordinate co-selling activities, and ensure alignment of both organizations' strategies. This requires deep understanding of AWS's partner programs, co-selling motions, and the ability to navigate both organizations to drive mutual success in target automotive accounts including Ford, Honda, GM, and other leading manufacturers.

You will carry quota and own accounts-but your primary motion is partner-sourced and partner-influenced pipeline, not solo hunting. Your success fuels further AWS investment in VML.

Role Summary

This is a quota-carrying alliance sales role focused on co-selling with AWS across the Automotive industry. You are both client-facing and partner-facing-building pipeline through AWS co-sell coordination while positioning VML's connected vehicle, manufacturing modernization, and customer experience solutions to automotive clients.

You will drive two interconnected motions:

Co-Sell Activation:

Build relationships with AWS automotive and manufacturing teams (PSMs, ISRs, industry specialists), coordinate joint account planning, and convert AWS-sourced leads into qualified VML opportunities.

Client Engagement:

Lead client workshops, executive presentations, and pursuits from qualification through signature-leveraging AWS resources, funding, and credibility throughout the sales cycle.

Accountability Model:

Individual quota with revenue targets. Success is measured by closed business, pipeline generation through AWS co-sell, win rate on AWS-sourced opportunities, and depth of AWS field team engagement.

Core Responsibilities

1. AWS Co-Sell Activation (50%) Build and maintain executive-level relationships with AWS automotive and manufacturing leadership, PSMs, ISRs, and industry specialists Develop and execute joint account plans with AWS automotive vertical teams for target OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers Coordinate co-selling activities with AWS IoT, AI/ML, and industry solution teams for integrated connected vehicle and manufacturing solutions Navigate and maximize AWS partner programs and cash funding to accelerate deal progression Drive leads through AWS Partner Central, ensuring proper opportunity registration and pipeline management Participate in AWS automotive QBRs, industry business reviews, and partner planning sessions Communicate VML wins and capabilities to AWS field teams to generate ongoing lead flow Orchestrate complex co-sell motions involving multiple stakeholders from both VML and AWS 2. Client-Facing Sales (30%)

Lead client workshops, discovery sessions, and executive presentations alongside AWS partner teams Deliver executive-level sales presentations that demonstrate VML's AWS-powered capabilities in connected vehicle, manufacturing modernization, and customer experience Coordinate Executive Briefing Center (EBC) visits and AWS-sponsored client events for automotive executives Develop and present proposals that position VML's solutions portfolio including generative AI for automotive, IoT platforms, and digital retail transformation Build relationships with automotive CIOs, CDOs, VPs of Connected Services, and digital transformation leaders Negotiate and close deals with support from VML leadership 3. Internal Coordination (20%)

Enable VML automotive account teams on AWS value propositions, co-sell motions, and partner resources Collaborate with VML industry BD leads to align on account strategies and resource allocation Partner with marketing on AWS automotive campaigns (re:Invent, CES, automotive industry events) Share market intelligence, competitive insights, and winning patterns across the organization Target Accounts & Focus Areas

Target Accounts & Focus Areas

OEMs: Leading North American and global automotive manufacturers with significant US presence Tier 1 Suppliers: Major automotive suppliers and component manufacturers with North American operations Solution focus: Connected vehicle platforms, software-defined vehicle architectures, manufacturing modernization (Industry 4.0), digital retail transformation, customer experience, generative AI for automotive AWS services emphasis: IoT Core, IoT Greengrass, Bedrock (generative AI), SageMaker, Lambda, Step Functions, Timestream, S3, DynamoDB Technology & AI Expectations

Use company-approved AI tools and technologies to accelerate account research, pipeline analysis, proposal development, and partner intelligence gathering. Maintain conversational fluency in partner AI offerings to support discovery conversations and position VML capabilities effectively.

Team Leadership & Management

Accountability: Accountable for individual revenue targets. Team leadership is secondary to sales execution.

Leadership Expectations: Enable and coach VML account teams on partner engagement best practices. Share market intelligence and winning patterns across the organization. Provide guidance to junior team members on alliance selling motions and partner relationship management.

Management Scope: Individual contributor; may mentor junior alliance sellers or guide pursuit teams on partner engagement best practices.

Success Metrics

Revenue attainment (individual and company targets) AWS-sourced and AWS-influenced pipeline as determined Automotive accounts jointly covered with AWS AWS co-sell engagement rate (joint calls, account plans, QBRs) EBC/AWS events with automotive clients (5-10+ annually) Win rate on AWS-sourced opportunities Qualifications

Required

5+ years in AWS ecosystem sales-either as partner alliance leader or direct AWS seller Deep understanding of AWS partner programs, co-selling processes, and partner funding mechanisms Strong command of AWS partner ecosystem and GTM motions Understanding of AWS IoT services and generative AI services including Amazon Bedrock Background in Global Systems Integrator (GSI), agency, or professional services environment Proven success orchestrating complex co-sell motions with multiple stakeholders Executive presence and ability to navigate both enterprise client and partner organizations Sales experience in Automotive, Manufacturing, or adjacent industries Preferred

Previous role as AWS Partner Sales Manager (PSM), Partner Development Manager (PDM), or AWS Account Executive AWS Sales Accreditation AWS Gen AI Accreditation Familiarity with AWS partner incentive programs and AI/ML innovation funding 3+ years selling into automotive OEMs or Tier 1 suppliers Existing relationships with AWS automotive or manufacturing vertical teams Understanding of connected vehicle, software-defined vehicle, or manufacturing 4.0 solutions Bachelor's degree; MBA a plus Willingness to travel to AWS and client locations

Role Positioning

This is a partner seller role-not a pure enterprise AE, back-office alliance manager, or technical pre-sales function.

You will be in the room when deals close with leading automotive OEMs and global manufacturers. You will own the AWS relationship within the automotive vertical and convert that relationship into pipeline. You will orchestrate co-sell motions, unlock partner funding, and demonstrate that AWS-powered selling is a scalable growth engine for VML's automotive practice.

Your success creates the proof points that fuel further AWS investment in VML.

About VML Enterprise Solutions

VML Enterprise Solutions is a global leader in technology-driven transformation, combining deep industry expertise with strategic alliances across AWS, Google Cloud, Adobe, Microsoft, Salesforce, and an expanding ecosystem of platform and data partners. As part of WPP, we bring unmatched capabilities in customer experience, commerce, and data-helping the world's leading brands reimagine how they connect with consumers through the intelligent application of technology.

The base salary range for this position at the time of this posting is indicated below. Individual compensation varies based on job-related factors, including location, business needs, level of responsibility, experience, and qualifications. We offer a competitive benefits package, click WPP Benefits for more details.

$75,000-$180,000 USD

We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we've adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office an average of four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

WPP (VML) is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.

VML is a WPP agency (NYSE: WPP). For more information, please visit www.vml.com, and follow along on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.

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