Achal Kataria
Business Technology Leader
Gurgaon
Summary
Dynamic sales professional with a proven track record of driving revenue growth and enhancing customer satisfaction through strategic relationship building and effective sales initiatives. Expertise in leveraging in-depth product knowledge to implement innovative solutions that meet client needs while fostering teamwork and adaptability in fast-paced environments. Tech-savvy innovator with extensive experience in emerging technologies, consistently identifying opportunities for improvement and productivity enhancements. With 30 years of leadership experience across diverse sectors, including IT and ITES, a strong focus on delivering business value and creating win-win solutions for clients remains paramount.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President & Country Head - India, Head- Large Deals APJ
Cognizant Technology Solutions
Gurgaon
09.2021 - Current
- Driving profitable growth with P&L ownership across all verticals and service lines for India market
- Strategy for driving profitable market growth
- Partner ecosystem management and relationship management to enhance sales pipeline
- Global Capability Centers implementation and expansion
- Capability creation for client centric solutions
- Managing large deal portfolio, pipeline generation, analyst and advisor relations, partnerships with Big 4 and Consulting firms
- Identify and engage with prospective clients to drive new business acquisition
- Participate in RFX's, build engagements with existing accounts to curate new opportunities
- Engage with Analysts and advisors for capability showcase to new clients and create awareness in market
- Collaborate with hyper scalars and Big4's to prioritize reach out to clients
- Partnerships with OEM's and hyperscalars for new deals, mining existing accounts
- Opportunity identification for sourcing and business model preparation
- Relationship Management with CIO's and CISO's for influencing deals
- Driving strong financial performance despite challenging economic conditions
- Enhance business unit profitability by implementing strategic business plans and optimizing operational processes.
- Develop new revenue streams by identifying growth opportunities and forging strategic partnerships with key industry players.
- Develop innovative sales and marketing strategies to facilitate business expansion.
Vice President - Chief Information Officer
EXL Service
Gurgaon
09.2010 - 06.2021
- Partnering with sales teams for identifying new deals, account mining and managing client relationships.
- Business and Client governance , CXO level engagement
- Strategic clients CXO connect for relationship management
- Partner management for global business delivery and revenue sustenance
- P&L Management (revenue and margin) for profitable growth.
- Led cross-functional teams for the successful completion of major projects, resulting in increased efficiency and client satisfaction.
- Identified opportunities to improve business process flows and productivity.
- Negotiated high-value contracts that maximized profitability while mitigating risks for the organization.
- Increased company growth through collaboration with sales and marketing departments.
- Led digital transformation initiatives to modernize business processes and improve overall efficiency.
- Delivered innovative technology solutions aligned with business objectives and stakeholder needs.
Director - IT Management Services
Tech Mahindra India Ltd.
Gurgaon
05.2007 - 09.2010
- Driving profitable growth with P&L ownership across the business unit
- Increased company revenue by streamlining processes and implementing cost-saving measures.
- Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Interacted with customers to build connections and nurture relationships.
- Negotiated price and service with customers and vendors to decrease expenses and increase profit.
Assistant Vice President - IT
Genpact
Gurgaon
05.2005 - 04.2007
- Client relationship management, IT pricing, Solutioning, Transitioning
- Leading client engagements for Pre- and Post-sales with CXO Levels
- Structured governance, CIO Connects, reporting and dashboards, VOC / CSAT
Director - IT
Hughes Software Systems
Gurgaon
07.1999 - 05.2005
- Technology infrastructure design, implementation and sustenance
- Managing Core network and voice infrastructure globally
- Head of Technology for Hughes BPO for BPO business
Consultant
Raymond Karsan Associates
Boston
09.1998 - 06.1999
- Network Consultant for enterprise
- Network Administrator for Windows
Assistant Manager - IT
Escorts Ltd. India
04.1995 - 08.1998
- Network Administrator for Windows and Novell NetWare
Education
Bachelor of Science - Computers
UNIVERSITY OF PUNE
Pune University 01.1990 - 1 1994
Skills
Strategic Planning
Digital Transformation
BPO
Business Analytics
Business Transformation
Sales Strategy & Roadmap
Partnerships & Alliances
Awards
- Country with Highest growth award, Cognizant, 2020
- CIO Awards - CIO Hall of Fame, IDG India, 2020
- CIO 100 award, IDG India
- 2020
- 2019
- 2018
- CIO Power list award (Analytics ICON), 2020
- CIO Power list award (IT, ITeS & BPO ICON), 2019
- IT Genius award - Analytics and Data Discovery, 2018
- CIO Power list award (Intelligent Bots and RPA ICON), 2018
- CIO 100 award (The Digital Innovators), 2017
- Team of the quarter award for a new deal pursuit, 2017
- Team of the year award for performance, 2017
- VP of the Quarter: EXL Service
- 2013 Q2
- 2016 Q2
- Delivery Excellence Award, Tech Mahindra, 2009
- Service Innovation Award, Tech Mahindra, 2009
- Best CSAT Award, Tech Mahindra, 2008
Timeline
Vice President & Country Head - India, Head- Large Deals APJ
Cognizant Technology Solutions
09.2021 - Current
Vice President - Chief Information Officer
EXL Service
09.2010 - 06.2021
Director - IT Management Services
Tech Mahindra India Ltd.
05.2007 - 09.2010
Assistant Vice President - IT
Genpact
05.2005 - 04.2007
Director - IT
Hughes Software Systems
07.1999 - 05.2005
Consultant
Raymond Karsan Associates
09.1998 - 06.1999
Assistant Manager - IT
Escorts Ltd. India
04.1995 - 08.1998
Bachelor of Science - Computers
UNIVERSITY OF PUNE
01.1990 - 1 1994