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Sr. Director, Channel Partnerships

DigitalOcean
Full-time
On-site
Seattle, Washington, United States
🌐 Digital Marketing

πŸ“Œ Core Information

πŸ”Ή Job Title: Sr. Director, Channel Partnerships

πŸ”Ή Company: DigitalOcean

πŸ”Ή Location: Seattle, WA

πŸ”Ή Job Type: Full-Time

πŸ”Ή Category: Software Development

πŸ”Ή Date Posted: August 7, 2025

πŸ”Ή Experience Level: 7+ years

πŸ”Ή Remote Status: Remote Solely

πŸš€ Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

  • Defining and executing DigitalOcean's channel strategy
  • Recruiting and growing relationships with cloud-native and AI-centric partners
  • Collaborating with internal teams to drive partner-led pipeline and revenue growth
  • Building and leading a high-performing partner sales team
  • Working cross-functionally with various teams to deliver cohesive partner experiences

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset and strong business acumen to develop joint value propositions and co-selling frameworks aligned with revenue goals and customer value.

πŸ“‹ Key Responsibilities

βœ… Define, lead, and execute DigitalOcean’s channel and partner strategy, with a focus on recruiting, growing, and monetizing relationships with cloud-native and AI-centric partners serving digital-native businesses

βœ… Identify and recruit strategic, high-potential partners focused on AI and digital-native businesses

βœ… Develop joint GTM strategies and commercial models that incentivize partner engagement and drive pipeline and revenue growth

βœ… Partner with internal Sales and Marketing teams to design and execute joint marketing campaigns, co-selling programs, and event strategies that drive partner-led pipeline and customer acquisition

βœ… Enable partners to deliver AI workloads and modern application solutions on DigitalOcean’s platform, leveraging products like Droplets, Kubernetes, App Platform, Spaces, and GPU offerings

βœ… Track and report on pipeline generation, deal velocity, and close rates from the channel to ensure visibility and accountability across the organization

βœ… Lead strategic negotiations and co-sell motions with top-tier partners; manage executive-level relationships to ensure alignment and joint investment

βœ… Work with the partner program manager to create scalable onboarding, certification, and enablement programs to ensure partners are technically and commercially equipped to succeed with DigitalOcean

βœ… Develop and manage partner tiers, incentive structures, and deal registration processes to support partner growth, alignment, and fairness

βœ… Own forecasting, reporting, and operational KPIs for the partner channel

βœ… Work with systems and ops teams to define partner workflows, tooling, and performance tracking

ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong operational skills to manage channel performance metrics, partner tiering structures, incentive models, lead routing processes, and reporting infrastructure.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in business, technology, or a related field required; MBA or advanced technical degree is a plus

Experience: 7+ years of experience in channel partnerships, business development, or indirect sales within the cloud infrastructure, SaaS, or AI/ML ecosystem, with a strong track record of building and scaling partner programs that deliver measurable revenue impact

Required Skills:

  • Proven success recruiting, onboarding, and managing different types of partners
  • Understanding of cloud computing concepts and technologies
  • Familiarity with the needs and buying behaviors of digital-native companies
  • Demonstrated ability to build and lead a high-performing partner sales team
  • Strong strategic thinking and business acumen
  • Excellent communication, negotiation, and executive engagement skills
  • Operationally strong with experience managing channel performance metrics and reporting infrastructure

Preferred Skills:

  • Experience working cross-functionally with Sales, Marketing, Product, Legal, and Customer Success teams
  • Familiarity with CRM and PRM tools (e.g., Salesforce, Crossbeam, Impartner, PartnerStack, etc.)

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in both global and regional partner landscapes, as well as those with familiarity working with AI solution providers and consultancies, will have an advantage in this role.

πŸ’° Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $191,920 - $287,880 per year, based on market data, relevant years of experience, and skills

Benefits:

  • Competitive salary
  • Bonus
  • Equity compensation
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Flexible time off
  • Career development resources
  • Access to LinkedIn Learning

Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on market data and may vary depending on the candidate's skills, experience, and negotiation.

πŸ“Œ Applicant Insights

πŸ” Company Context

Industry: DigitalOcean is a software development company specializing in cloud computing, cloud servers, virtual hosting, cloud hosting, and cloud infrastructure.

Company Size: DigitalOcean has 1,001-5,000 employees, providing a mid-sized company environment with ample opportunities for growth and collaboration.

Founded: DigitalOcean was founded in 2012 and has since grown to become a leading provider of simple, scalable cloud services.

Company Description:

  • DigitalOcean simplifies cloud computing so businesses can spend more time creating software that changes the world
  • The company offers mission-critical infrastructure and fully managed offerings to help developers build, deploy, and scale digital products
  • DigitalOcean combines the power of simplicity, security, community, and customer support to enable customers to focus less on managing infrastructure and more on building innovative applications

Company Specialties:

  • Cloud Computing
  • Cloud Servers
  • Virtual Hosting
  • Cloud Hosting
  • Cloud Infrastructure
  • Simple Hosting
  • Virtual Servers

Company Website: https://www.digitalocean.com

ASSUMPTION: DigitalOcean's focus on simplicity and customer support makes it an attractive workplace for candidates seeking a user-focused and innovative environment.

πŸ“Š Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is at the senior director level, requiring extensive experience and strategic decision-making.

Reporting Structure: The Sr. Director of Channel Partnerships will report directly to the VP of Business Development or a similar executive role.

Work Arrangement: This is a remote role, allowing for flexibility and work-life balance.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Expanding the partner ecosystem and driving revenue growth
  • Building and leading a high-performing partner sales team
  • Collaborating with internal teams to improve partner experiences and drive business outcomes

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities for the right candidate, with the potential to make a substantial impact on DigitalOcean's business.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: DigitalOcean has a remote-first work environment, with no physical office requirement for this role.

Office Location(s): N/A

Geographic Context:

  • Seattle, WA is a tech hub with a thriving startup scene and a large talent pool
  • The Pacific Northwest offers a mild climate, natural beauty, and a high quality of life
  • DigitalOcean's remote work arrangement allows for flexibility and the ability to work from anywhere

Work Schedule: Full-time, with flexible hours and the ability to work remotely

ASSUMPTION: The remote work arrangement for this role provides candidates with the opportunity to work from anywhere, offering greater flexibility and work-life balance.

πŸ’Ό Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

  • Online application and resume screening
  • Phone or video call with the hiring manager or HR
  • Technical assessment or case study
  • Final round interview with key stakeholders

Key Assessment Areas:

  • Strategic thinking and business acumen
  • Channel partnership experience and success stories
  • Technical knowledge of cloud computing and AI/ML concepts
  • Communication and negotiation skills
  • Leadership and team-building abilities

Application Tips:

  • Highlight relevant channel partnership experience and achievements in your resume
  • Tailor your cover letter to demonstrate your understanding of DigitalOcean's mission and values
  • Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions focusing on your experience in channel partnerships and leadership
  • Research DigitalOcean's products and competitors to showcase your industry knowledge

ATS Keywords: Channel Partnerships, Business Development, Cloud Infrastructure, SaaS, AI/ML, Partner Management, GTM Strategy, Negotiation, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Operational Excellence, Technical Engagement, Strategic Thinking, Communication, Team Leadership, Problem Solving

ASSUMPTION: DigitalOcean's hiring process is designed to assess candidates' strategic thinking, technical knowledge, and cultural fit, with a focus on finding the best fit for the role and the company.

πŸ› οΈ Tools & Technologies

  • CRM and PRM tools (e.g., Salesforce, Crossbeam, Impartner, PartnerStack, etc.)
  • Cloud computing platforms (e.g., DigitalOcean, AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)
  • AI/ML frameworks and tools (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn, AWS SageMaker, Azure ML)
  • Collaboration and communication tools (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace)

ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with CRM and PRM tools, as well as cloud computing and AI/ML technologies, will be essential for success in this role.

πŸ‘” Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

  • Simplicity
  • Customer-centric
  • Community-driven
  • Innovative
  • Collaborative

Work Style:

  • Remote-first and flexible work arrangements
  • Data-driven decision-making
  • Cross-functional collaboration
  • Focus on results and impact
  • Continuous learning and improvement

Self-Assessment Questions:

  • Do you thrive in a remote work environment and enjoy the flexibility it offers?
  • Are you comfortable working with a diverse range of partners and internal stakeholders?
  • Do you have a proven track record of driving revenue growth through channel partnerships?

ASSUMPTION: DigitalOcean values candidates who are comfortable working remotely, collaborating cross-functionally, and driving results in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

  • Managing a remote team and ensuring consistent performance across different time zones
  • Balancing the needs and priorities of various partners and internal stakeholders
  • Keeping up with the fast-paced evolution of cloud computing and AI/ML technologies
  • Navigating the complexities of partner program management and operational excellence

ASSUMPTION: These challenges require strong leadership, strategic thinking, and adaptability to succeed in this role.

πŸ“ˆ Similar Roles Comparison

  • Compared to other channel partnership roles, this position focuses more on cloud-native and AI-centric partners, requiring a deeper understanding of these technologies
  • DigitalOcean's remote-first work culture offers more flexibility than traditional office-based environments
  • This role offers significant growth opportunities, with the potential to build and lead a high-performing partner sales team

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should consider their fit for DigitalOcean's remote work culture and the unique focus on cloud-native and AI-centric partners when comparing this role to similar positions.

πŸ“ Sample Projects

  • Developing and executing a go-to-market strategy for a new AI/ML product offering in partnership with a leading cloud provider
  • Building and managing a partner program for a cloud-based cybersecurity solution, focusing on MSPs and system integrators
  • Collaborating with a SaaS startup to expand their customer base through strategic channel partnerships with complementary technology providers

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the strategic and operational aspects of channel partnership management, requiring strong business acumen and technical knowledge.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

  • How does DigitalOcean support the growth and success of its partners, and what resources are available to help them thrive?
  • Can you describe the team structure and dynamics within the channel partnerships organization, and how this role fits into the broader strategy?
  • How does DigitalOcean foster a culture of innovation and collaboration, and what opportunities exist for partners to engage with the company's product and engineering teams?
  • What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days, and how will success be measured?
  • How does DigitalOcean approach work-life balance and employee well-being, particularly for remote team members?

ASSUMPTION: Asking these questions will help candidates better understand the role, the team, and the company culture, enabling them to make an informed decision about their fit for the position.

πŸ“Œ Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

  • Submit your application through this link
  • Tailor your resume to highlight your relevant channel partnership experience and achievements
  • Write a cover letter demonstrating your understanding of DigitalOcean's mission and values, and your enthusiasm for the role
  • Prepare for the interview process by researching DigitalOcean's products, competitors, and industry trends
  • Follow up with the hiring manager or HR within one week of submitting your application to express your interest in the role

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