Sr. Partner Program Manager

Palo Alto Networks•Santa Clara, CA

3d•$146,000 - $236,500•Remote

About The Position

As a Senior Partner Program Manager, you will serve as the global program owner for one or more strategic partner programs. A key program within this portfolio may include CYBERFORCE, an elite recognition and enablement program for top-performing Partner SEs. You will lead the strategic design, operational governance, and continuous evolution of assigned programs while ensuring alignment across key partner routes to market, including Reseller, MSP/MSSP, GSI, CSP, Distribution, Referral, Services, and partner recognition initiatives. This role operates at the intersection of strategy, operations, and cross-functional execution, requiring expertise in partner program management, incentive governance, operational scalability, stakeholder alignment, and go-to-market program delivery. You will lead complex, high-visibility initiatives focused on scaling partner programs, improving operational efficiency, and enhancing partner experience through data-driven insights, automation, and modern workflow technologies. You will be the central point of accountability for eliminating process gaps and ensuring your program(s) are competitive, scalable and valuable to partners and PANW. This is a senior individual contributor role that operates through cross-functional influence rather than direct organizational authority. Success requires the ability to independently lead program initiatives, drive alignment among global senior stakeholders, and balance strategic evolution with operational excellence.

Requirements

7+ years of experience in partner programs, channel operations, sales programs, or related business operations roles within enterprise technology, SaaS, or cloud environments.
BA/BS degree or higher in Business Administration
PMP/PgMP certification is a strong advantage.
Experience working with CRM platforms (e.g., Salesforce), project management tools, reporting systems, and operational workflows within complex enterprise environments.
Demonstrated ability to leverage automation, analytics, and modern productivity technologies to improve operational scalability and efficiency.
Ability to link program design to long-term business outcomes and partner profitability.
A "systems-thinker" who can identify root causes of process failures and build scalable, durable solutions.
Exceptional executive-level verbal and written communication skills.
Experience influencing senior stakeholders and aligning VP-level leaders across functions
High comfort level with data integrity, reporting logic, and financial reconciliation.
Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment with competing priorities.

Nice To Haves

PMP/PgMP certification

Responsibilities

Define, manage, and evolve global partner programs that drive partner engagement, profitability, operational efficiency, and strategic alignment with PANW priorities across multiple partner business models.
Deliver clear, data-driven updates to leadership regarding program performance, strategic risks, operational dependencies, and recommended decisions.
Serve as the global subject matter expert for assigned programs, ensuring operational consistency, policy clarity, KPI tracking, process integrity, and measurable business impact.
Ensure program incentives, rewards, and recognition structures are aligned with broader partner program strategy, business objectives, and measurable partner/customer value.
Develop and execute program adoption, communication, and measurement strategies that demonstrate program effectiveness and business value.
Partner with cross-functional teams to develop scalable program documentation, enablement assets, operational guidance, and partner communications.
Leverage automation, AI-enabled technologies, and modern productivity tools to improve operational efficiency, reduce manual processes, and scale program administration.
Partner with analytics and operations teams to leverage data-driven insights that improve decision-making, identify operational risks, and inform program enhancements.
Utilize modern content and automation tools to accelerate development of partner-facing communications, enablement materials, and program guidance.
Identify opportunities to streamline workflows, automate repeatable tasks leveraging AI, and improve partner support experiences related to program operations and policy management.
Serve as the primary liaison between partner programs and cross-functional stakeholders including Legal, Finance, Marketing, IT, Operations, and Enablement teams to drive alignment and execution.
Manage vendor relationships, operational tooling, and associated program budgets that support the successful execution and scale of partner programs.
Act as the accountable program lead for complex operational issues related to program compliance, incentive eligibility, process exceptions, and partner experience, coordinating resolution across stakeholders.