Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Hobbies
Timeline
Generic

Kristen Contreras

San Antonio,TX

Summary

Polished Deal Desk manager with 10 years experience with SaaS and software companies. Detail oriented and well versed in complex deal structure and strategy. Experienced with business analytics, sales and internal enablement, and business process improvement lifecycle. Values work life balance, freedom to create, and leading with empathy.


Overview

11
11
years of professional experience

Work History

Global AppDynamics Strategy Leader

Cisco - Splunk/AppDynamics
04.2025 - Current
  • Foster collaborative working relationships with key stakeholders to ensure alignment on strategic goals and priorities across functional areas.
  • Champion change management initiatives throughout the organization to facilitate smooth transitions during periods of transformation or restructuring activities.
  • Mitigate operational risks through comprehensive risk assessments followed by implementation of robust contingency plans where necessary.
  • Manage large-scale projects from conception to completion.
  • Review internal systems and organize training plans to address areas in need of improvement.
  • Develop and execute strategic initiatives by collaborating with cross-functional teams.
  • Negotiate high-value contracts with clients and vendors to secure favorable terms that positively impacted bottom line results.

Americas Deal Desk Manager

Cisco - AppDynamics
05.2021 - Current
  • Manage team of five remote employees across Americas
  • Advise team through entire deal desk process: adding necessary legal language, receiving proper stakeholder approvals, deal strategy analysis, and abiding by company policy
  • Coordinate with stakeholders and test new process improvements that allow internal teams to work together more efficiently
  • Collaborate with C-level leadership around deal structure and strategy for highest revenue impacting sales efforts
  • Provide managerial support for team when consulting with Sales team and Sales leaders
  • Facilitate concession strategy and gather required insight and approvals from stakeholders
  • Coordinate and present Sales enablement sessions twice per region per calendar quarter
  • Provide managerial assistance for analysts in EMEA and APJC
  • Testing and documentation via playbooks for internal processes
  • High proficiency in SFDC, CPQ, and Ironclad.
  • Leverage data and analytics to make informed decisions and drive business improvements.

Deal Desk Analyst

Cisco - AppDynamics
01.2019 - 05.2021
  • Consult with Sales on deal structuring and options that adhere to company polices around revenue recognition, SaaS margin targets, and discount approval policies
  • Enable Sales on terms and deal structures that comply with company policies
  • Track key deals for the quarter to meet company booking and revenue targets
  • Facilitate entire deal desk process; from including adding necessary legal language to quotes, receiving proper stakeholder approvals, and implementing policy improvements
  • Serve as trusted adviser to Americas East, North, and Federal sales leadership and their teams on pricing, product configuration, and business terms to support sales efforts
  • Collaborate with multiple teams including Sales Comp, Analytics, Revenue, Finance, Legal, Billing, and Product Management, for process improvements, updates and releases.

Senior Customer Success Representative, Renewals

AppDynamics
02.2018 - 01.2019
  • Ensure retention of approximately 200 top revenue accounts (250k TCV+)
  • Maintain relationships with existing clients and identify new business opportunities
  • Liaison between field sales, technical teams, and client
  • Assist in training newly on-boarded employees and the creation of training documents and tools
  • Manage and guide Customer Success Managers within given territory
  • Assist Field Representatives with add-on early renewal opportunities and navigating through previous contracts.

Customer Success Representative, Renewals

AppDynamics
08.2016 - 02.2018
  • Ensure retention of approximately 400 accounts (250k TCV and below)
  • Maintain relationships with clients through regular check ins and identify new business opportunities
  • Assist Inside Sales Representatives with add-on early renewal opportunities and navigating through previous contracts
  • Liaison between inside sales, technical teams and client.

Account Manager, Renewals

Guardian Network Solutions
10.2015 - 08.2016
  • Manage renewals and ensure retention of highest profit accounts
  • Maintain relationships with vendors, distribution, clients and consultants
  • Identify and execute on new business opportunities
  • Top Sales Representative (profit percentage) for 7 consecutive months
  • Company record for most consecutive days of daily goal maintained & most consultant new business generated in single month.

Personal Assistant to CEO

Guardian Network Solutions
09.2014 - 10.2015
  • Responsible for screening and responding to emails and LinkedIn connections
  • Manage schedule, booking for interviews and organize travel
  • Assist with personal matters and backend company decisions and organizations.

Education

Bachelor of Science, Elementary Education -

Drake University
12.2010

Skills

  • Problem-Solving
  • Tactical Leadership

Hobbies

Alamo City Pitbull Rescue - Foster

Lone Start CrossFit Member

CrossFit Games Athlete

Lover of Reading

Timeline

Global AppDynamics Strategy Leader

Cisco - Splunk/AppDynamics
04.2025 - Current

Americas Deal Desk Manager

Cisco - AppDynamics
05.2021 - Current

Deal Desk Analyst

Cisco - AppDynamics
01.2019 - 05.2021

Senior Customer Success Representative, Renewals

AppDynamics
02.2018 - 01.2019

Customer Success Representative, Renewals

AppDynamics
08.2016 - 02.2018

Account Manager, Renewals

Guardian Network Solutions
10.2015 - 08.2016

Personal Assistant to CEO

Guardian Network Solutions
09.2014 - 10.2015

Bachelor of Science, Elementary Education -

Drake University
Kristen Contreras