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Channel Partnerships Director, APJ

DeepL

DeepL

Sales & Business Development
Tokyo, Japan
Posted on Oct 18, 2024

Meet DeepL

DeepL is a global communications platform powered by Language AI. Since 2017, we’ve been on a mission to break down language barriers. Our human-sounding translations and intelligent writing suggestions are designed with enterprise security in mind. Today, they enable over 100,000 businesses to transform communications, reach new markets, and improve productivity. And, empower millions of individuals worldwide to make sense of the world and express their ideas.

Our goal is to become the global leader in Language AI, building products that drive better communication, foster connections, and make a real-life impact. To achieve this, we need talented individuals like you to join our exciting journey. If you're ready to work with a dynamic team and build your career in the fast-moving AI space, DeepL is your next destination.

What sets us apart

What sets us apart is our blend of modern technology, competitive benefits, and an open, welcoming work culture that enables our people to thrive. When we share what it's like to work at DeepL, the reactions are overwhelmingly positive. This may be because of our products that have helped countless people worldwide or our shared mission to improve communication for individuals and businesses, bringing cultures closer together. What we know for sure is this: being part of DeepL means joining a team dedicated to innovation and employee well-being. Discover what our teams have to say about life at DeepL on LinkedIn, Instagram and our Blog.

Meet the team behind this journey

We are looking for a Channel Partnerships Director to join the DeepL Partnerships Department and support the APJ region. As part of our Global Channel Partnerships team you will be responsible for heading up the go-to-market efforts through DeepL’s channel partner community in Asia consisting of VAR and OEM partnerships, Language Service Providers (LSPs), and Translation and Localization Management Solution Providers (TMS).

We are looking for someone who is passionate about generating commercial pipeline, building and monetising strategic partner relationships and achieving commercial success in collaboration with partners and internal teams. Our preference is for someone that likes building out repeatable and scalable GTM partner programs. We are looking for an individual who is proactively seeking to improve commercial development achievements and partner experiences.

Your responsibilities

In this key, individual contributor position you will have responsibility to drive accelerated revenue growth for DeepL through the recruitment and management of VAR (Value Added Reseller) and channel partnerships that operate in APJ - especially in Japan and Korea. You will be recruiting, onboarding, building and nurturing VAR and OEM partnerships focused on the translation market, AI/ML, and Enterprise segments to provide DeepL with new routes to market.

  • Win new high-value partnerships via strong relationship-building and successful commercial negotiations. Identify, recruit, and onboard VAR and OEM partners with specific expertise and market coverage that will grow DeepL revenue and market share in APJ.

  • Develop and own the Regional Channel Partner Plan that will orchestrate and steer all partner engagement, GTM motions and revenue plans for each partner. This plan will be reviewed and updated on a rolling, quarterly basis and socialised and vetted with executives of both companies.

  • Develop and maintain strong relationships with partners, and work closely with them to achieve mutual goals. Provide support and guidance to partners on product and solution offerings.

  • Develop and implement channel partner programs, such as training, marketing and incentives to ensure the partner’s success.

  • Build and maintain partner competence by working with DeepL’s Partner Enablement resources to ensure partner’s staff is well trained and certified on DeepL’s solutions.

  • Manage and ensure each partner executes marketing, and sales activities that incorporate DeepL solutions in order to build pipeline and achieve their revenue targets for DeepL solutions.

  • Manage the performance of partners, and develop strategies to ensure they achieve their sales and revenue goals. Ensure partner’s projections are accurate, leads are followed up, promotions and incentives are executed, and customers are happy with DeepL solutions.

  • Enable support of partner’s sellers to ensure success including; opportunity qualification, opportunity registration, pricing, contract negotiations, tracking, and closing.

  • Create and manage partner forecasts: pipeline and revenue.

  • Work with DeepL direct sales teams as appropriate to ensure channel sales alignment, deal progression, partner engagement, and overall sales alignment model.

  • Be the single point of ownership for all key relationships at the partner at all levels. Navigate the partner’s sales, marketing and executive ranks and cultivate ongoing, meaningful business relationships.

  • Manage possible channel conflict to a positive outcome.

  • Our Channel Partnerships Director will report into the Director of Global Partner Strategy based out of London with a strong dotted line into the APJ Regional Sales Lead.

Qualities we look for

  • Minimum of 5 years of experience working with VARs and/or OEMs, with at least 2 years working in a rapid-growth software/SaaS company.

  • Proven experience with partners in APJ.

  • Experience working with Partners, Sales and Business Development teams to deliver joint business outcomes.

  • Sales experience with proven quota attainment and successfully achieving annual revenue results with a track record of growth.

  • Deep knowledge of GTM models, including sell with, sell to, sell through, co-branding, and OEM.

  • Knowledge of the translation market and/or AI/ML would also be advantageous and accelerate the candidates speed to delivery.

  • Adept at addressing cultural and geographic differences in strategy implementation.

  • Adaptive and agile in a quickly changing environment with competing priorities.

  • Strong organisational, project management, and problem-solving skills.

  • History of thriving in a rapidly changing environment.

  • Results-oriented, self-directed with a passion to succeed.

  • Experience with and knowledge of partner tooling such as Crossbeam will be beneficial.

  • Fluency in either Japanese or Korean is required in order to succeed within this key role.

What we offer

  • Diverse and internationally distributed team: joining our team means becoming part of a large, global community with people of more than 90 nationalities. We're more than just colleagues; we're a group of professionals with a shared mission to connect diverse cultures. Our global presence is growing–we've doubled in size nearly every year, with our employees based in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, the US, and Japan, and we continue to expand our network.

  • Open communication, regular feedback: as a language-focused company, we value the importance of clear, honest communication. We value smooth collaboration, direct and actionable feedback, and believe that leading with empathy and growth mindset makes us better together.

  • Hybrid work, flexible hours: we offer a hybrid work schedule, with team members coming into the office twice a week. This allows you to engage directly with your team and experience the unique energy of our workspace, while still enjoying the flexibility and comfort of working from home. With flexible working hours and trust in your productivity, we are in sync with your team’s general locations and time zones to foster effective and seamless collaboration.

  • Regular in-person team events: we bond over vibrant events that are as unique as our team, from local team and business unit gatherings, to new-joiner onboardings, to company-wide events that bring us all together–literally.

  • Monthly full-day hacking sessions: every month, we have Hack Fridays, where you can spend your time diving into a project you're passionate about and get the opportunity to work with other teams–we value your initiatives, impact, and creativity.

  • 20 days of annual leave: we value your peace of mind. With 20 days off (excluding public holidays) and access to mental health resources, we make sure you're as strong mentally as you are professionally.

  • Competitive benefits: just as our team spans the globe, so does our benefits package. We've crafted it to reflect the diversity of our team and tailored it to align with your unique location, to ensure you feel supported every step of the way.

If this role and our mission resonate with you, but you're hesitant because you don't check all the boxes, don't let that hold you back. At DeepL, it's all about the value you bring and the growth we can foster together. Go ahead, apply—let's discover your potential together. We can't wait to meet you!

We are an equal opportunity employer

You are welcome at DeepL for who you are—we appreciate authenticity here. Our product is for everyone, and so is our workplace. The more voices we have represented and amplified in our business, the more we will all succeed, contribute, and think forward! So bring us your personal experience, your perspectives, and your background. It’s in our diversity that we will find the power to break down language barriers in the world.