Technofocus - Technical Business Development Manager - Cloud & AI Training (4-8 yrs)

About the Role:

We are seeking a highly motivated and technically astute Technical Business Development Manager (BDM) to champion the adoption of LevelUp, our cutting-edge enterprise-grade learning platform specializing in Cloud and Artificial Intelligence training. This pivotal role sits at the exciting intersection of technology, business development, and partner enablement. You will be instrumental in forging strong relationships with our cloud-focused partner ecosystem, including system integrators, resellers, and solution builders, and guiding them to leverage LevelUp to scale their training programs effectively.
This is a unique opportunity for an individual who possesses a strong technical foundation coupled with exceptional consultative selling and onboarding skills. You will be adept at engaging with both business and technical stakeholders, articulating the value proposition of LevelUp with credibility and structure, and driving successful partner adoption. You will be a key driver in accelerating our partners' go-to-market readiness and enhancing their technical capabilities through strategic training initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:

- Strategic Partner Engagement: Proactively drive outreach and engagement with identified cloud and AI partner organizations (system integrators, resellers, solution builders) to introduce LevelUp and explore collaboration opportunities.

- Consultative Solutioning: Lead in-depth discovery sessions with partners to thoroughly understand their business objectives, training needs, target audiences, and technical focus areas.

- Customized Learning Roadmap Design: Design and present compelling and customized learning roadmaps tailored to specific partner roles (e.g., sales, pre-sales, delivery, technical consultants) and solution areas (e.g., Azure, Microsoft Copilot, M365, AI, Security, specific industry solutions).

- Value Articulation and Demonstration: Clearly articulate the unique value proposition of LevelUp, highlighting its features, benefits, and alignment with partner goals. Deliver compelling product demonstrations that showcase the platform's capabilities and user experience.

- End-to-End Partner Onboarding: Guide partners through the complete adoption journey, from initial value proposition discussions and demos to successful onboarding and platform activation. Provide ongoing support and act as a primary point of contact during the initial lifecycle of the partnership.

- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate closely with alliance managers and channel teams to identify and qualify training opportunities within the partner ecosystem. Align on joint objectives and contribute to overall partner success strategies.

- Trusted Advisor Role: Serve as a trusted advisor and subject matter expert on cloud and AI training best practices, providing insights and recommendations to partners on how to effectively skill and enable their teams.

- Pipeline Management and Reporting: Maintain accurate records of engagement activities, progress, and forecasts within CRM systems. Provide regular updates and reports on partner onboarding progress and key metrics.

- Continuous Improvement: Stay abreast of the latest trends in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, learning technologies, and partner enablement strategies to continuously refine our approach and offerings.

Ideal Candidate Profile:

Education:

Bachelor's degree in Engineering (preferably Computer Science or a related technical field).

MBA or equivalent business degree is highly desirable.

Experience:

48 years of professional experience in at least one of the following areas:

- Enterprise technology sales with a focus on cloud or AI solutions.

- Pre-sales technical consulting, demonstrating and architecting cloud or AI solutions.

- Partner enablement or channel development within the technology sector.

Demonstrated familiarity with cloud platforms and AI offerings, with a strong understanding of the Microsoft Azure ecosystem and related technologies (e.g., Microsoft Copilot, M365, Azure AI services).

Exposure to training methodologies, learning platforms (LMS/LXP), or B2B SaaS solutions is a significant advantage.

Skills and Competencies:

- Excellent Communication and Presentation Skills: Ability to articulate complex technical concepts clearly and concisely to both technical and business audiences. Strong presentation skills to effectively convey value propositions and product demonstrations.

- Strong Relationship Building Skills: Proven ability to build rapport and establish long-term, trusted relationships with partner stakeholders at various levels.

- Technical Acumen: Solid understanding of cloud computing principles, AI concepts, and related technologies. Ability to engage in technical discussions with credibility.

- Consultative Selling Approach: Ability to uncover partner needs through effective questioning, actively listen, and tailor solutions to address their specific requirements.

- Strong Execution Mindset: Highly organized and detail-oriented with the ability to manage multiple onboarding conversations and projects in parallel, ensuring structured progress and consistent follow-through.

- Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to identify and resolve challenges during the partner onboarding process effectively.

- Results-Oriented: Driven to achieve targets and contribute to the growth of our partner ecosystem.

- Collaboration and Teamwork: Ability to work effectively within a cross-functional team environment, collaborating with sales, alliances, product, and marketing teams.