Executive Briefing Specialist [Contract] 

Role Description

This role is a contract assignment at Palo Alto Networks. Contractors will not be employed by Palo Alto Networks but through our trusted staffing partners.  

Location: Reston, Virginia (On-site) 

Duration: 12 Months

Palo Alto Networks is looking for an Executive Briefing specialist (Contract) to work on our Executive Briefing Program team, This role will connect our executives and subject matter experts with our customers, partners, and prospects, helping them to: confidently move forward in their decision making process, feel appreciated and understood as unique individuals, and inspired that their business outcomes are more easily reached in partnership with Palo Alto Networks.

The role partners with the Executive Briefing Programs team and is responsible for the management and delivery of world-class briefings delivered to our customers and prospects. It requires flawless execution in managing multiple briefings and consultations, concurrently.  Additionally, this individual must possess knowledge of agenda design and development based on the customer’s business needs and strategic sales objectives.  

Because this role is highly visible and involves interactions with prospects, customers, partners, and vendors, this individual must demonstrate an elevated level of professionalism on a daily basis. The role requires that this individual be knowledgeable and confident when interacting with executives and have the ability to facilitate complex briefings when executives are present. This individual must be able to work well in a geographically-distributed, small team environment and cross-functionally across the company, have high energy level, a positive attitude, strong work ethic and ability to quickly build rapport and trust with internal and external clients. 

Your Impact & Responsibilities:

• Lead, design and effective execution of customized briefing agendas 
• Leverage consultative skills to assist sales teams, partners and discussion leaders in aligning objectives with those of the customers/partners. 
• Make briefing requests decisions based on a high-level understanding of the cybersecurity industry and Palo Alto Networks key strategies and product offerings.
• Clearly articulate briefing objectives to executives and discussion leaders; ensuring that resources are utilized effectively and that discussion leaders are properly prepared for each customer briefing.
• Coordinate all aspects of briefing activity with internal and external clients. Handle urgent requests and agenda changes with a positive attitude and calm demeanor.
• Manage briefing logistics and be willing to provide hands-on support.
• Fully own and manage all event logistics, including securing catering contracts, overseeing end-to-end guest registration processes, serving as the official full host of the day, and maintaining a highly adaptable approach to manage unexpected changes efficiently.
• Collaborate with others across the company and work independently to resolve issues and achieve results.
• Follow briefing industry best practices by utilizing systems and processes that increase operational efficiencies.

Your Experience & Skills

This individual must be able to work well in a small, geographically-distributed team environment, possess a customer-centric approach, and have a high energy level, a positive attitude, and a strong work ethic.

• Project Management 
  • Experience with enterprise-level & Public Sector accounts and supporting partner/channel sales activities 
  • Possess a clear understanding of the sales cycle and the potential EBC impact on sales effectiveness
  • High-level understanding of product and sales strategy, as well as an ability/commitment to learn and apply knowledge to enhance customer experience
  • Ability to manage multiple types of projects, people, and programs independently, including managing briefings
  • Excellent time-management, prioritization and problem-solving skills and ability to multi-task with sense of urgency to meet tight timelines in a daily fast-paced environment
• Communication 
  • Ability to effectively interface with internal and external executive customers and stakeholders
  • Must be able to build strong relationships with individuals and teams within Palo Alto Networks
  • Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills
  • Ability to curate relevant content assets and keep internal guides and reference materials current
• Customer Experience
  • Experience managing virtual customer engagements
  • Demonstrate deep attention to all details of the customer experience (from agenda development, scheduling discussion leaders, to the food and beverage being served during a briefing)
  • Have focus on environment aesthetic details and continually monitor and evaluate quality of the customer experience
  • Strong executive presence and ability to project calmness in the face of operational challenges

Qualifications

• Required:
  • 5+ years experience in Executive Briefing Program, Field Marketing, Events, Hospitality or other relevant field
  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
  • This position requires on-site presence in our new office in Reston, VA
• Preferred (A Plus):
  • Experience with SFDC and BriefingSource for briefing management and campaign tracking & reporting is a plus
  • Foreign language skills are a plus

Compensation

The compensation offered for this position will depend on qualifications, experience, and work location.  For candidates who receive an offer,this is the pay range that Magnit (the staffing agency) reasonably expects to pay for this position: $55/hour to $60/hour. Please note that the compensation information in this posting reflects the hourly wage only and does not include benefits.  Magnit offers Medical, Dental, Vision and 401K. Magnit is not able to provide assistance to candidates requiring sponsorship or a visa for this position.     

Information about Palo Alto Networks

At Palo Alto Networks®, everything starts and ends with our mission:
Being the cybersecurity partner of choice, protecting our digital way of life.
We have the vision of a world where each day is safer and more secure than the one before. These aren’t easy goals to accomplish — but we’re not here for easy. We’re here for better. 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.