Head of Partnerships

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Head of Partnerships

🔹 Company: Decagon

🔹 Location: San Francisco, California, United States

🔹 Job Type: Full-time

🔹 Category: Software Development

🔹 Date Posted: April 4, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Building and fostering a partner ecosystem to expand market reach and increase brand visibility
• Developing an independent, partner-driven channel for marketing, positioning, and re-selling AI-powered solutions
• Engaging and growing relationships with hyperscalers (GCP, Azure, AWS)
• Acting as an ambassador for Decagon and a trusted advisor to partners

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, excellent communication skills, and experience in B2B SaaS partnerships to succeed.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Create and effectively navigate an agile partner network including ISVs, VARs, SIs, consulting organizations, and investors

✅ Own joint business plans with each partner, ensuring appropriate review cadence, adequate level of joint engagement, and mutual accountability

✅ Build meaningful and long-lasting partnerships within the ecosystem

✅ Collaborate with the direct sales team to integrate partner-driven channel efforts

✅ Regularly report on partner performance and provide recommendations for improvement

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of autonomy and requires strong project management skills to balance multiple partnerships and initiatives.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field (or equivalent experience)

Experience: 5+ years of experience in building and leading B2B SaaS GTM Partnership organizations

Required Skills:

• Proven track record in negotiating, deploying, and running effective B2B SaaS channel partnerships
• Strong interpersonal, persuasion, and teamwork skills
• Working knowledge of marketing, positioning, and re-selling AI-powered solutions
• Experience with hyperscalers (GCP, AWS, and/or Azure) is a plus

Preferred Skills:

• Track record of successfully navigating the rapidly evolving AI partnership ecosystem
• Exposure to enhancing technical partnerships with commercial referral/co-marketing/co-selling agreements
• Experience working at a high-growth SaaS startup environment

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in AI, conversational AI, or customer support industries may have an advantage in this role.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $150,000 - $200,000 per year (based on industry standards for similar roles and Decagon's funding stage)

Benefits:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Take what you need vacation policy
• Career growth opportunities within a fast-growing AI company

Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week) with flexible scheduling

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on market data and Decagon's funding stage. Actual compensation may vary based on experience and performance.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Decagon operates in the AI and conversational AI software development industry, focusing on customer support solutions for enterprises.

Company Size: Decagon is a mid-sized company with 51-200 employees, providing a collaborative and dynamic work environment.

Founded: Decagon was founded in 2021 and has since grown rapidly, securing significant funding from prominent investors.

Company Description:

• Trusted by world-class enterprises, Decagon is the most advanced AI platform for customer support.
• The company provides human-like customer support experiences, enabling enterprises to better serve their customers and efficiently manage their customer experience organizations.
• Decagon has raised $100M in total funding from Bain Capital Ventures, Accel, a16z, BOND Capital, A*, Elad Gil, and notable angels, including the founders of Box, Airtable, Rippling, Okta, Lattice, and Klaviyo.

Company Specialties:

• AI Agents and Conversational AI

Company Website: decagon.ai

ASSUMPTION: Decagon's focus on AI and conversational AI makes this role an excellent fit for candidates interested in cutting-edge technology and its application to customer support.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is a senior-level position, reporting directly to the CEO or another C-level executive.

Reporting Structure: The Head of Partnerships will likely have a team of partnership managers or coordinators reporting to them, depending on the company's growth stage.

Work Arrangement: This role is on-site, with the possibility of occasional remote work, depending on the company's policies and the candidate's needs.

Growth Opportunities:

• As Decagon continues to grow, there will be opportunities for the Head of Partnerships to expand their team and take on more responsibilities.
• With experience and success in this role, candidates may have the opportunity to advance to a C-level or VP position within the company.

ASSUMPTION: The growth opportunities for this role will depend on Decagon's continued success and expansion in the market.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Decagon's office is located in San Francisco, California, with a modern and collaborative work environment.

Office Location(s): 39 Stillman St, San Francisco, California 94107, US

Geographic Context:

• San Francisco is a major tech hub, providing ample opportunities for networking and collaboration with other industry professionals.
• The city offers a diverse range of cultural attractions, dining options, and outdoor activities.
• San Francisco has a Mediterranean climate, with mild, wet winters and dry summers.

Work Schedule: The work schedule for this role is full-time, with flexible hours and the possibility of occasional remote work.

ASSUMPTION: The work environment at Decagon is likely fast-paced and dynamic, reflecting the company's rapid growth and focus on cutting-edge technology.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Initial phone or video screen to assess cultural fit and basic qualifications
• In-depth interview with the CEO or another C-level executive to discuss the role and company vision
• Technical interview or case study to evaluate problem-solving skills and strategic thinking
• Final interview with the hiring manager or a panel of stakeholders to make a hiring decision

Key Assessment Areas:

• Strategic thinking and planning
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Understanding of AI, conversational AI, and customer support industries
• Experience with B2B SaaS partnerships and channel development

Application Tips:

• Highlight your experience with B2B SaaS partnerships and channel development in your resume and cover letter
• Demonstrate your understanding of AI, conversational AI, and customer support industries in your application materials
• Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that focus on your problem-solving skills and strategic thinking
• Research Decagon's mission, values, and company culture to show your enthusiasm and fit for the role

ATS Keywords: B2B SaaS, Partnership Development, Negotiation, Channel Partnerships, Interpersonal Skills, Persuasion, Teamwork, GTM Strategy, Technical Partnerships, Co-Marketing, Co-Selling, Sales Team Collaboration, Hyperscaler Engagement, Customer Experience, Business Planning, Accountability

ASSUMPTION: Decagon's interview process is likely to be thorough and comprehensive, focusing on both technical skills and cultural fit.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
• Communication and collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams)
• AI and conversational AI platforms (e.g., Dialogflow, Microsoft Bot Framework)

ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies used by Decagon may vary depending on the company's size, growth stage, and industry focus.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Innovation: Decagon values pushing the boundaries of AI and conversational AI to create cutting-edge customer support solutions
• Collaboration: The company fosters a collaborative work environment, encouraging teamwork and cross-functional collaboration
• Customer-centricity: Decagon prioritizes understanding and addressing the needs of its customers to provide exceptional customer support experiences

Work Style:

• Decagon's work environment is likely fast-paced and dynamic, with a focus on results and continuous improvement
• The company values autonomy and accountability, allowing employees to take ownership of their projects and initiatives
• Decagon's work culture is likely to be inclusive and diverse, with a strong emphasis on collaboration and teamwork

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you thrive in fast-paced, dynamic work environments?
• Are you comfortable working autonomously and taking ownership of projects?
• Do you have a strong understanding of AI, conversational AI, and customer support industries?
• Are you an effective communicator and collaborator, with a proven track record in B2B SaaS partnerships?

ASSUMPTION: Decagon's company culture is likely to be innovative, collaborative, and customer-centric, with a strong emphasis on results and continuous improvement.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• The rapidly evolving AI and conversational AI landscapes may present challenges in keeping up with the latest technologies and trends
• Building and maintaining effective partnerships with hyperscalers (GCP, AWS, and Azure) may require significant time and effort
• The competitive nature of the AI and conversational AI industries may present challenges in differentiating Decagon's offerings and maintaining a competitive edge
• Managing multiple partnerships and initiatives simultaneously may require strong project management skills and attention to detail

ASSUMPTION: The potential challenges of this role are likely to be outweighed by the opportunities for growth and impact in the rapidly expanding AI and conversational AI industries.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Compared to other partnership roles in the AI and conversational AI industries, this role may have a greater focus on strategic planning and innovation
• Decagon's focus on customer support differentiates it from other AI and conversational AI companies, which may focus more on general-purpose AI platforms or specific verticals
• This role may offer more opportunities for growth and advancement within the company, given Decagon's rapid growth and expansion in the market

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in similar roles within the AI and conversational AI industries may find this role to be a strong fit, given Decagon's focus on innovation, collaboration, and customer-centricity.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing a strategic partnership plan with a major hyperscaler (GCP, AWS, or Azure) to expand Decagon's market reach and increase brand visibility
• Negotiating and deploying a co-marketing agreement with a leading AI or conversational AI technology provider to enhance Decagon's offerings and reach new customers
• Building and managing a network of ISVs, VARs, SIs, and consulting organizations to provide complementary services and solutions to Decagon's customers

ASSUMPTION: The specific projects and initiatives for this role will depend on Decagon's growth stage, market position, and strategic priorities.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• How does Decagon differentiate its AI and conversational AI offerings from those of its competitors?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
• How does Decagon support the professional development and growth of its employees?
• What are the most significant challenges facing Decagon in the next 1-2 years, and how can this role contribute to addressing them?
• How does Decagon measure the success of its partnerships, and what metrics are used to track progress and performance?

ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful and insightful questions during the interview process can help demonstrate your interest in the role and commitment to Decagon's success.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your experience with B2B SaaS partnerships, channel development, and AI, conversational AI, and customer support industries
• Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that focus on your problem-solving skills, strategic thinking, and communication skills
• Research Decagon's mission, values, and company culture to show your enthusiasm and fit for the role
• Follow up with the hiring manager or HR representative one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the role

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.