What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director, Partner Operations position at Kiteworks?
This is an exciting opportunity to join Kiteworks’ newly formed Strategic Partnerships organization and lead the operational engine behind some of the company’s most strategic partnerships. This is not a sales role — it is a highly cross-functional Strategic Partnerships position focused on building scalable operational processes, supporting joint integrations, managing partner programs, and enabling long-term partnership growth.
Reporting to the SVP, Strategic Partnerships & Strategy, the Director, Partner Operations will serve as the operational backbone across Technology Partnerships, GSI Partnerships, Partner Architecture, Product Management, and broader cross-functional teams including Marketing, Finance, Legal, Support, Customer Success, Renewals, Sales, and Channel Alliances. This role owns the operational cadence, reporting, dashboards, integration lifecycle tracking, partner program administration, and overall partner operations infrastructure that keeps the organization moving efficiently.
The ideal candidate is highly proactive, operationally strong, technically curious, and comfortable operating across business, finance, systems, and partnerships. They should be equally comfortable reviewing contracts and budgets, managing executive reporting, discussing APIs and integrations, and driving cross-functional coordination in a fast-paced environment.
What You’ll Do
Partner Program Operations
- Own the operational lifecycle of Kiteworks’ participation in strategic partner programs including onboarding, compliance tracking, membership renewals, certifications, and tier management
- Maintain partner program documentation, communications, FAQs, and operational processes
- Support the future rollout and administration of the Kiteworks partner program
- Ensure operational alignment between Kiteworks and strategic partners including AWS, Microsoft, ServiceNow, CrowdStrike, Palo Alto Networks, Accenture, Deloitte, Leidos, and Booz Allen Hamilton
Reporting, Dashboards & Analytics
- Manage and maintain Strategic Partnerships dashboards and operational reporting
- Deliver recurring executive-level reporting on integration progress, partner program health, pipeline contribution, enablement, and operational KPIs
- Partner with Finance, BI, and Product Operations to improve reporting accuracy, definitions, and visibility
- Translate partnership activity into executive-ready insights and operational business reviews
Integration Lifecycle Operations
- Operationalize the partner integration lifecycle from intake through launch and post-GA support
- Track milestones, dependencies, blockers, and ownership across integrations involving APIs, MCP, AI Skills, and agent-based workflows
- Coordinate cross-functional support readiness with Engineering, Product, Customer Success, and Support teams
- Ensure every integration has proper documentation, escalation paths, and operational readiness prior to launch
Cross-Functional Operations & Orchestration
- Partner closely with Marketing to manage partner deliverables, campaigns, timelines, and event coordination
- Track and manage Strategic Partnerships budgets including memberships, certifications, events, operational investments, and partner-related spend
- Support partner renewal processes in partnership with Renewals teams
- Coordinate with Legal and Finance on partnership agreements, operational contracting, and partnership economics
Training, Enablement & Certifications
- Lead operational rollout of partner training programs and certifications
- Track internal certifications required to maintain partner program status across AWS, Microsoft, ServiceNow, and other strategic ecosystems
- Coordinate enablement efforts across Product, Support, Sales, Marketing, and Partner Architecture teams
- Measure training adoption and continuously improve enablement programs
Operational Planning & Leadership
- Proactively identify operational risks, gaps, dependencies, and scaling needs before they impact the business
- Design and manage the operational rhythm of the Strategic Partnerships organization including QBRs, stand-ups, executive reviews, and partner program calendars
- Serve as a senior operational point of contact for strategic partners when escalation or coordination is required
- Build scalable operational processes that support long-term partnership growth and integration success
- Protect confidential business information and partner data, ensuring secure sharing practices and compliance with data protection agreements and ISO 27001 controls.
What You’ll Bring
- 12 years of experience in partner operations, channel operations, alliances operations, or related enterprise software operational leadership roles
- 5 years leading partner operations or partner program functions at the Director or Senior Director level
- Experience operationalizing enterprise partner programs within cybersecurity, SaaS, enterprise software, AI, or data protection environments
- Strong understanding of partner ecosystems such as AWS, Microsoft, ServiceNow, CrowdStrike, Palo Alto Networks, or similar
- Experience managing dashboards, BI reporting, CRM systems, PRM platforms, operational analytics, and executive reporting
- Familiarity with APIs, integrations, MCP, AI Skills, and modern AI-driven partnership ecosystems
- Strong cross-functional leadership skills with experience coordinating Marketing, Product, Engineering, Finance, Legal, Support, Sales, and Partnerships organizations
- Excellent operational rigor, project management, and executive communication skills
- Strong business acumen with experience managing budgets, contracts, operational workflows, and partnership economics
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required; MBA or advanced degree preferred
Compensation & Benefits
- Base salary range: $200,000–$250,000 plus bonus, equity, and comprehensive benefits
Benefits & Perks
Equity - stock options to share in company success
Healthcare
- 3 Cigna plans (PPO, EPO, HDHP)
- 90% covered (PPO/EPO) $0 premium HDHP
- $1,200–$2,400 HSA contribution
- 100% covered dental & vision
Savings & Retirement
- FSA Dependent Care FSA
- 401(k) with 100% match (up to $5K), immediate vesting
Coverage - Fully paid life & disability insurance
Family Benefits
- 16 weeks (birthing) / 8 weeks (non-birthing)
- $10Klifetimereimbursementfertility benefit
Care & Support - One Medical membership EAP counseling
Time Off & Flexibility
- Unlimited PTO 10 holidays
- 10 work-from-anywhere days
Perks - Catered lunches in-office massage days
Salary : $200,000 - $250,000