Strategic Alliances Manager

KDS Strategic Search Group; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 190,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

KDS Strategic Search Group in Seattle seeks a Strategic Alliances Manager to enhance partner-led growth and drive execution within a high-growth data and AI ecosystem. This role requires significant experience in consultancy ecosystems, direct exposure to platforms like Databricks, and the ability to navigate complex sales environments. A competitive salary range of $190k-$220k and performance-based bonuses are offered. You'll work closely with both internal consulting stakeholders and external partnerships to increase pipeline contributions.

Qualifications

• Experience in alliances, partner, or ecosystem role within a consulting environment.
• Direct exposure to Databricks, Snowflake, or similar data platforms.
• Ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder sales environments.

Responsibilities

• Drive execution of partner-led pipeline initiatives.
• Work closely with key data platform partners.
• Support account mapping across priority clients.

Skills

Experience in alliances, partner, or ecosystem role

Direct exposure to data platform ecosystems

Experience contributing to partner-influenced pipeline

Ability to work cross-functionally

Engaging with end customers

Job description

Location: Hybrid — near major U.S. consulting hubs

Overview

A global consulting and analytics firm is building out its data and AI partner ecosystem and is seeking a Strategic Alliances Manager to help drive partner-led growth. This role sits at the intersection of partnerships, sales, and delivery. The mandate is to turn strategic alliances into a consistent, measurable contributor to services pipeline and revenue—not just maintain relationships.

This is a hands‑on execution role for someone who understands how to work inside a consulting environment and can help drive real co‑sell activity with data platform partners such as Databricks and Snowflake.

What You Will Do

• Drive execution of partner‑led pipeline initiatives and co‑sell motions
• Work closely with key data platform partners to identify and advance joint opportunities
• Partner with consulting sales and delivery teams to align partner capabilities to client needs
• Support and execute account mapping across priority clients and partner teams
• Coordinate across internal stakeholders and partner teams to move deals forward
• Contribute to partner‑driven campaigns and go‑to‑market initiatives

Required Background (Non‑Negotiable)

• Experience working in an alliances, partner, or ecosystem role within a consulting, SI, or services‑led organization
• Direct exposure to data platform ecosystems (e.g., Databricks, Snowflake, or similar)
• Experience contributing to partner‑influenced or partner‑sourced pipeline tied to services or consulting revenue
• Experience operating in enterprise sales environments with complex, multi‑stakeholder deals
• Demonstrated ability to work cross‑functionally with sales, delivery, and partner teams
• Experience engaging with end customers as part of a partner or co‑sell motion

What Success Looks Like

• Increased volume and consistency of partner‑driven pipeline
• More effective and repeatable co‑sell engagement with priority partners
• Stronger alignment between partner teams and internal consulting stakeholders
• Progress toward a more structured, scalable alliances motion

What the Company Is Looking For

• Someone who understands that alliances are a growth lever, not just a relationship function
• Ability to navigate consulting organizations, where internal stakeholders are focused on delivery and billable work
• Comfort operating in a developing alliances function where structure is still being built
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence without authority
• A bias toward execution and follow‑through, not just strategy

This Role Is NOT a Fit If

• Your experience is primarily in channel enablement or partner marketing without pipeline responsibility
• You have not been involved in co‑sell or partner‑driven revenue motions
• Your background is limited to SMB or transactional sales environments
• You have not worked with or alongside data platform partners
• Your experience is primarily as a direct seller without meaningful alliance exposure

Why This Opportunity

• Build experience in a high‑growth data and AI ecosystem
• Gain exposure to large, enterprise‑level client engagements
• Play a visible role in shaping how alliances contribute to revenue
• Clear path to increased ownership as the alliances function matures

Compensation

• Competitive base salary + performance‑based bonus (190‑220K base plus 20‑30% aligned to experience and scope)