About Us
Always open. Our code, our culture, our opportunities. Leading open innovation without limits. We are SUSE.
SUSE is a global leader in innovative, reliable, and secure enterprise open source solutions, including SUSE® Linux Suite, SUSE® Rancher Suite, SUSE® Edge Suite, and SUSE® AI Suite. More than 60% of the Fortune 500 rely on SUSE to power their mission-critical workloads, enabling them to innovate everywhere – from the data center to the cloud, to the edge and beyond.
SUSE puts the “open” back in open source, collaborating with partners and communities to give customers the agility to tackle innovation challenges today and the freedom to evolve their strategy and solutions tomorrow. For more information, visit www.suse.com.
Senior Manager, Partner Program Experience
Job Description
Since its inception in 1992, SUSE has been at the forefront of technical innovation where change has been the only constant.
The primary responsibility of this position is to lead and mentor a team dedicated to optimizing the entire partner lifecycle. As a key leader in our partner organization, you will own the strategic design and execution of our partner programs, ensuring they deliver an exceptional, differentiated experience. By leveraging a data-driven and automated framework, you will drive scaled partner engagement and support business growth in line with our ambitious objectives and company culture.
Critical to achieving excellent results will be your ability to manage your team's execution of complex projects while collaborating across functions to ensure our programs empower partners to succeed.
About Us
Always open. Our code, our culture, our opportunities. Leading open innovation without limits. We are SUSE.
SUSE is a global leader in innovative, reliable and secure enterprise open source solutions, including SUSE Linux Enterprise (SLE), Rancher and NeuVector. More than 60% of the Fortune 500 rely on SUSE to power their mission-critical workloads, enabling them to innovate everywhere – from the data center to the cloud, to the edge and beyond. SUSE puts the “open” back in open source, collaborating with partners and communities to give customers the agility to tackle innovation challenges today and the freedom to evolve their strategy and solutions tomorrow.
We are open in our roots and open in our approach, striving to be the most trusted open innovator in the World. Openness extends beyond our technology. Our vibrant community thrives on diversity and connectivity without borders.
How You’ll Contribute
Program Strategy & Team Leadership: Develop and execute a strategic roadmap for our partner program experience, aligning team goals and departmental plans to SUSE’s long-term vision. Create a development plan for your team, providing constructive feedback to foster a high-performing and collaborative environment.
Automated Framework Management: Lead the design, implementation, and ongoing management of a scalable, automated, and AI-powered partner framework, including the partner portal and incentive engines, to deliver a seamless and personalized partner experience.
End-to-End Partner Lifecycle Management: Manage the team responsible for mapping and optimizing the entire partner journey, from recruitment and onboarding to continuous enablement and retention, ensuring each stage is streamlined to accelerate our partners' time to value.
Intelligent Incentive Design: Own the strategy for intelligent partner incentive programs, including rebates, MDF, deal registration, and other rewards. Ensure these programs are managed effectively to drive desired behaviors and a strong return on investment.
Performance Analytics & Reporting: Define and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for the partner experience and program effectiveness. Apply advanced analytical reasoning to interpret data, using these insights to make informed decisions and guide future strategy.
Cross-Functional Execution: Manage the execution of program initiatives by partnering closely with sales, marketing, enablement, product, and engineering teams. Ensure our partner-facing tools, benefits, and programs are fully integrated and aligned with our go-to-market strategy, acting as a key voice for the partner within SUSE.
Effective Communication: Develop and oversee clear communication plans to ensure partners and internal stakeholders understand how to leverage the program, its tools, and available incentives.
What You’ll Bring
5+ years of experience in Partner Programs, Partner Experience, or Channel Management, including demonstrated success in leading and scaling a team.
Strategic Thinking with Business Acumen: Proven ability to create a strategy for a specific area of the organization, balancing short-term needs and long-term objectives while understanding the implications of decisions on the broader department and company goals.
Leadership and Development: A passion for leading and developing people, with experience creating development plans, providing constructive feedback, and assembling teams with complementary skills.
Execution and Influence: Strong project management skills and a talent for overseeing the execution of complex initiatives. You can effectively influence and persuade individuals and groups to align on key ideas and drive cross-functional collaboration.
Analytical and Decisive: Deep proficiency in using data from PRM, CRM (e.g., Salesforce), and marketing automation platforms to drive business decisions. You possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills to diagnose issues and make data-informed recommendations.
Adaptable and Resilient: The ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, managing competing priorities and adapting to change with a positive and resourceful mindset.
Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field; a Master's degree is a plus.
Your Life at SUSE
We are looking for the right people and the right skills. If you are a passionate and positive person, you are open and believe in open source, you are a great team player and you want to be successful, then you are the person we are looking for.
At SUSE, we set challenging goals for ourselves, then work to meet and often exceed them. How do we do this? By working collaboratively. The SUSE culture is open, friendly and built on the power of teamwork. We are a global company, and our increasingly diverse workforce is one of our greatest strengths. We are proud to be a truly open open source company.
SUSE is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Prospective employees will receive consideration without discrimination because of race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, citizenship or any other legally protected status.
Job
Revenue Generation Non-SalesWhat We Offer
We empower you to be bold, driving your career to create the future you want. We celebrate and reward your achievements.
SUSE is a dynamic environment that is evolving rapidly, thus requiring agility, strong entrepreneurship and an open mind.
This is a compelling opportunity for the right person to join us as we continue to scale and prosper.
If you’re a big thinker, obsessed by execution and thrive in a dynamic environment in which you can tangibly create a lasting legacy, then please apply now!
We give you the freedom to be yourself. You will work in a global community of unique individuals – like you – with different backgrounds, talents, skills and perspectives. A truly open community where everyone is welcome, has a voice and is encouraged to reach their full potential regardless of age, gender, race, nationality, disability, sexual orientation, religion, or any other characteristics.
Sounds like the right fit for you? Click Apply to submit your resume. A recruiter will contact you if your skills match our current or any future positions. In the meantime, stay updated on the latest SUSE news and job vacancies by joining our Talent Community.
SUSE Values
Choice
Innovation
Trust
Community
