Director, Channel Programs & Enablement

Kong Inc., the AI Connectivity Company, is building the connectivity layer of AI. Trusted by the Fortune 500® and AI-native startups alike, Kong's unified API and AI platform enables organizations to secure, manage, accelerate, govern, and monetize the flow of intelligence across APIs and AI traffic — on any model, any cloud.

Responsibilities

Responsible for the design, build, and management of partner programs that support Kong's channel business; Develop partner program collateral, documentation, and onboarding tools to enhance the overall partner experience and communicate program details to partners; Develop the partner portal, leveraging Salesforce (SFDC) and a partner relationship management (PRM) system, working with Marketing and Channel Operations; Manage and administer the partner portal to create an engaging platform for partners to interact with Kong (lead registration, opportunity tracking, commissions, etc.); Work with Channel Operations/IT to implement channel strategy, data/reporting, system workflows, and overall operational governance for the program; Design the Channel Enablement certification and badge model; work closely with Channel Marketing, Channel Services, Customer Success, and Sales Enablement on partner enablement tools/training, and implement them as part of the overall program; Manage and administer partner agreements and partner contracting, in coordination with Legal; Communicate channel programs, strategies, events, and updates internally to drive alignment throughout the business; Work cross-functionally with Marketing, Product, Legal, and Finance to continue to implement and grow partner programs, and ensure alignment across the business; Work with partners to solicit feedback on existing programs/processes and implement changes (e.g., Partner Advisory Councils, via channel teams); Build a team to effectively manage channel programs, enablement, the partner portal, communications, and MDF/incentive management

Requirements

Prior experience building and running partner programs, channel enablement, channel marketing, and/or channel development in the technology or services space; Thrives in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment; Problem solver and self-motivated; Exceptional oral and written communication and presentation skills; Strong interpersonal skills; Ability to conceptualize and sell ideas internally; Excellent time-management and multi-tasking abilities; Innovation and the ability to build consensus; Works extremely well as a member of a team, but also excels as an individual contributor; Shares Kong's values and works in accordance with them; Prior leadership experience appropriate to a director-level role at Kong; Ability to travel if needed and comply with the company's travel policy