VP, Strategic Partnerships

As the VP of Strategic Partnerships at Profound, you will architect and lead the global partnership strategy that establishes Profound as the definitive platform for AI search optimization.

Define and Execute Partnership Strategy

• Build and scale a Global Systems Integrator (GSI) program, establishing and deepening relationships with major players like Accenture, Deloitte, Bain, and Cap Gemini.
• Forge strategic alliances with holding companies and independent digital agencies shaping how brands approach AI search and discoverability.
• Develop and lead hyperscale go-to-market programs through cloud marketplaces including AWS Marketplace, Google Cloud Marketplace, and Azure, driving co-sell motions, committed spend agreements, and enterprise co-marketing investments.
• Structure and negotiate complex, executive-level partnership agreements balancing commercial terms, technical integration requirements, and long-term strategic value.

Lead Cross-Functional Partnership Function

• Work closely with Product, Engineering, Analytics, Marketing, and Sales to take partnerships from concept through commercial launch.
• Represent Profound externally as a thought leader in the AI ecosystem, participating in industry events, partner announcements, and content creation.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and grow Profound's presence within the Agency ecosystem, forging strategic alliances with holding companies and independent digital agencies shaping how brands approach AI search and discoverability.
• Drive joint marketing initiatives, co-selling motions, and customer enablement programs alongside Marketing and Sales leadership.
• Maintain a living view of the AI ecosystem landscape and competitive dynamics, informing product and go-to-market strategy at the executive level.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in strategic partnerships, business development, or alliances in high-growth technology or SaaS, with a demonstrated track record of building programs that drive significant revenue and product value.
• Deep experience running a GSI program.
• Proven experience navigating the Agency ecosystem - understanding how holding companies and independent agencies make technology decisions and how to position a platform as essential to their client work.
• Hands-on experience driving co-sell and marketplace programs through AWS, GCP, or Azure at scale, including marketplace listings, co-sell activation, and cloud-committed revenue motions.
• Deep fluency in the AI landscape - including LLM providers, AI platforms, search technologies, and the broader application layer - and a clear point of view on where it's heading.
• Executive-level communicator and relationship builder with a track record of closing complex, multi-stakeholder deals involving commercial terms, data licensing, technical integrations, and joint go-to-market commitments.
• Existing C-suite and VP-level relationships across AI platform companies, agency networks, cloud providers, and enterprise SaaS.
• Experience leading and scaling partnerships teams in a high-growth startup environment.