Partner Enablement Manager

VAST Data

About The Position

VAST Data is looking for a Partner Enablement Manager to join our growing team! This is a great opportunity to be part of one of the fastest-growing infrastructure companies in history, an organization that is in the center of the hurricane being created by the revolution in artificial intelligence. "VAST's data management vision is the future of the market."- Forbes VAST Data is the data platform company for the AI era. We are building the enterprise software infrastructure to capture, catalog, refine, enrich, and protect massive datasets and make them available for real-time data analysis and AI training and inference. Designed from the ground up to make AI simple to deploy and manage, VAST takes the cost and complexity out of deploying enterprise and AI infrastructure across data center, edge, and cloud. Our success has been built through intense innovation, a customer-first mentality and a team of fearless VASTronauts who leverage their skills & experiences to make real market impact. This is an opportunity to be a key contributor at a pivotal time in our company’s growth and at a pivotal point in computing history. VAST Data is seeking a strategic and hands-on leader to join the VAST Training & Enablement team as our Partner Enablement Manager. As the primary owner for all partner-facing training, you will be responsible for building, managing, and evolving enablement programs designed to empower our diverse partner ecosystem. This role requires a unique blend of strategic leadership and tactical execution. You will be responsible for ensuring our partners (Resellers, Distributors, and Service Partners) have the knowledge and skills necessary to drive product adoption, deliver exceptional customer experiences, and achieve mutual business growth.

Requirements

Experience: 5+ years of experience in Partner Enablement, Customer Education, or Sales Enablement, preferably within the enterprise storage or data infrastructure space.
Program Management: Proven track record of developing and managing successful enablement programs from the ground up in a high-growth environment.
Instructional Expertise: Strong understanding of adult learning principles and instructional design.
Content Mastery: Ability to create both high-level strategic content and detailed technical educational materials in various formats.
Technical Literacy: Understanding of e-learning platforms, LMS delivery mechanics, and technical lab environments.
Execution Focus: A "doer" mentality with the ability to manage high-level strategy while simultaneously executing on content and program delivery.
Travel: Ability to travel for several days every 1-2 months to oversee global partner training sessions or attend industry events as needed.

Responsibilities

Strategic Planning & Evolution
Strategy Development: Build and continuously evolve a scalable partner enablement strategy aligned with VAST’s global channel goals and company objectives.
Cross-Functional Alignment: Collaborate with Partner Leadership to identify educational priorities that align with the product roadmap and partner needs.
Partner Segmentation: Tailor enablement journeys to meet the specific needs of various partner types, ensuring technical and sales tracks are relevant to their specific business models.
Program & Content Development
Curriculum Design: Design and oversee a partner-specific curriculum that addresses different skill levels, from foundational sales pitches to deep-dive technical architecture.
Multi-Modal Training: Manage and expand the portfolio of on-demand, Virtual Instructor-Led (VILT), and Classroom (ILT) training programs specifically for the partner community.
Content Creation: Coordinate with instructional designers and subject matter experts to produce high-quality materials, including technical labs, partner portals, webinars, and sales playbooks.
Pedagogical Excellence: Apply adult learning methodologies to ensure training is engaging, effective, and results-oriented for a busy partner audience.
Delivery & Operations
LMS & Ecosystem Management: In coordination with an LMS Administrator, manage the partner-facing experience within the learning management system to deliver, track, and report on certifications.
Partner Journey Integration: Collaborate with Partner Success and Channel Sales to integrate enablement into the partner onboarding process and ongoing lifecycle management.
Metrics & Stakeholder Collaboration
KPI Tracking: Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the impact of enablement on partner self-sufficiency, deal velocity, and revenue.
Data-Driven Improvement: Analyze partner performance and certification data to identify gaps and make data-driven decisions for program enhancements.
Internal Synergy: Work closely with technical and product teams to ensure partners are fully prepared for new product releases, feature updates, and competitive shifts.