Partner Programs Strategy Director

About the Role

We’re looking for a strategic and operational leader to join our Strategic Alliances team as a Partner Program Strategy Director. This individual contributor role is essential in shaping and modernizing a revolutionary partner program that drives partner success, creates value for partners and their customers, and drives predictable business growth. You will be a key player in crafting and implementing innovative strategies to accelerate the development of our Partner Program across all partner types.

This role requires a blend of strategic vision and operational excellence, with a focus on overseeing complex initiatives, managing cross-functional teams, and driving measurable results. You will collaborate closely with senior leadership to align strategies with our business objectives and provide clear, data-driven insights. The role is fully remote, reporting to the VP of Alliance Partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Program Development and Execution: Design and refine advanced, innovative strategies to significantly accelerate partner engagement and program adoption, satisfaction, and mutual value and growth. Convert these strategies into comprehensive, actionable plans and lead their execution with precision and agility. Utilize deep data analysis to identify emerging trends, develop strategic hypotheses, and adjust initiatives based on performance results.
• Operational Leadership: Oversee the end-to-end execution of major strategic initiatives, from conceptualization to full implementation. Ensure the program is effectively operationalized and measured using sophisticated metrics to drive adoption. Drive operational excellence and adapt plans as needed to address evolving challenges and opportunities.
• Advanced Data Analysis and Insights: Leverage extensive data analysis to uncover complex patterns and trends. Develop, test, and validate hypotheses to inform strategic decisions and drive program effectiveness. Use data-driven insights to enhance and continuously improve strategic and operational tactics.
• Progress Tracking and Executive Reporting: Create and manage advanced systems for tracking initiative progress and success. Provide executive leadership with regular, detailed updates, including comprehensive performance metrics, strategic insights, and actionable recommendations.
• Cross-Functional Leadership and Alignment: Lead and facilitate high-level collaboration across teams to ensure cohesive execution of the partner program. Act as a key liaison between business units and technical teams, fostering strong relationships and ensuring alignment on strategic objectives.
• Comprehensive Documentation and Knowledge Management: Develop and maintain detailed documentation for project plans, roadmaps, and progress reports. Establish and manage knowledge repositories to ensure critical information is accessible and to promote transparency and accountability throughout the execution process.
• Strategic Requirements Gathering and Analysis: Collaborate with senior leadership and key stakeholders to gather and define complex business requirements for program enhancements and technical solutions. Analyze extensive data and feedback to drive strategic decision-making and refine initiatives based on empirical evidence.
• Enablement, Awareness, and Communication: Ensure internal and external teams are enabled and aware of the values of the partner program, how to differentiate and deliver the message, and how to deliver partner success. Align with marketing on external communications to create awareness and drive engagement.

Requirements

• 5-8 years of experience in partner program creation and management, demonstrating a proven ability to develop and execute high-impact strategies.
• Expertise in both strategy development and operational execution, with a strong track record of leading complex initiatives and driving results.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Business Administration, Management, Data Analytics).
• Exceptional project management skills, with the ability to organize, synthesize, and document detailed information effectively.
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with experience in guiding discussions and presentations at the executive level.
• Experience building and maintaining cross-functional relationships and leading teams through complex, high-stakes projects.
• Agile and adaptable, with a demonstrated capacity for managing risks and solving problems efficiently.
• Passionate about leveraging cutting-edge tools and technologies to optimize processes and achieve operational excellence.
• Experience with advanced repository and knowledge management systems.
• Experience using AI and AI-related technologies, ready to apply AI daily to business challenges, improve efficiency, contribute solutions, and drive results. Willingness to grow with AI by staying curious about new trends and best practices.

Benefits

• Total Rewards: Competitive compensation package, paid time off, and paid parental leave. Many employees are eligible for bonuses.
• Health & Wellness: Benefits vary by location but generally include private medical, life, and disability insurance.
• Inclusive culture and diversity: Strong support for diversity, equity, and inclusion, integrated into business practices and organizational culture. Eight employee-run resource groups, each with senior leadership and executive sponsorship.

About Avalara

Avalara is defining the relationship between tax and tech. We’ve built an industry-leading cloud compliance platform, processing over 54 billion customer API calls and over 6.6 million tax returns a year. We’re a billion-dollar business with a mission to be part of every transaction in the world. Our culture is bright, innovative, and disruptive, reflected in the orange we love to wear—symbolizing our quirky spirit and optimistic mindset.