Suggested rewrite: Led a cross-functional initiative that improved [business outcome] by [measurable result], demonstrating experience relevant to this role...
Partner Sales Manager – IHV Alliances
- Remote from
- 🌐 Anywhere
- Salary
- Undisclosed
- Department
- Sales
- Employment
- Full Time
- Experience
- Director
- Published
- Apply before
- 12 Dec 2026
- Listing views
- 35
- Application actions
- 2
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About this role.
Canonical is a leading provider of open source software and operating systems to the global enterprise and technology markets. Our platform, Ubuntu, is very widely used in breakthrough enterprise initiatives such as public cloud, data science, AI, engineering innovation and IoT. Our customers include the world’s leading public cloud and silicon providers, and industry leaders in many sectors. The company is a pioneer of global distributed collaboration, with 1200+ colleagues in 75+ countries and very few office based roles. Teams meet two to four times yearly in person, in interesting locations around the world, to align on strategy and execution.
The company is founder led, profitable and growing.
We are hiring a Partner Sales Manager to be a key contributing team member within the growing IHV alliances organization. Large OEM or Independent Hardware Vendor (IHV) brands – Dell, HPE, IBM, Lenovo, Ericsson, Cisco, Fujitsu and many more – are major partners for Canonical. These companies build software-defined solutions to capitalize on global open source mandates and associated macro trends. Canonical’s flagship product, Ubuntu, and its broader open source portfolio are key ingredients for these partners to realize their aspirations. Canonical represents the best platform for rapid open source innovation.
Reporting to the Head of IHV Alliances, the Partner Sales Manager will work closely with IHV and Canonical teams in various geographies to enable IHV teams, generate and transact opportunities, drive a Canonical agenda within an IHV, and achieve targeted results. They are responsible to build trusted relationships with our partners, increase Canonical market share and attach rate, evangelize the partnership and drive business interactions from across persona – from engineer to CxO. They will often run customer workshops focused on particular initiatives at that customer, attend sales events, give public presentations and participate in executive engagements.
Location: This is a remote role.
The role entails
- Build strategic relationships and enable partner teams on the partnership
- Build pipeline and transact opportunities through an IHV
- Grow partner awareness of open source capabilities on Canonical Ubuntu
- Demonstrate a deep understanding of the Linux and cloud software ecosystem
- Deliver on targets, objectives and provide a voice of the partner
- Travel regularly – sometimes internationally – to drive partnerships in person
- Align and support internal canonical field teams – identify, support, grow, transact
- Expand existing footprint with IHV customers with an aim to upsell to broader portfolio
- Support and contribute to broader strategy, initiatives and key campaigns
What we are looking for in you
- Experience in alliance or indirect sales management roles
- Autonomous, disciplined, hands-on, get-it-done mentality
- Ability to capture customer requirements, evaluate gaps, identify and create opportunities
- Passionate about Ubuntu products and mission
- Comfortable in fast-paced and high pressure environments with measurable goals
- Experience with Linux, virtualization, containers, and other cloud technologies
- Excellent communication and presentation skills
- Team player with superior accountability and customer support skills
- Credibility and working knowledge of IHVs – their products, go-to-market motion, and field
- Experience managing cross-functional teams and track record of operational excellence
- Willingness to travel up to 4 times a year for internal events
- Hands on experience with Salesforce and Google Suite a plus
What we offer colleagues
We consider geographical location, experience, and performance in shaping compensation worldwide. We revisit compensation annually (and more often for graduates and associates) to ensure we recognize outstanding performance. In addition to base pay, we offer a performance-driven annual bonus or commission. We provide all team members with additional benefits which reflect our values and ideals. We balance our programs to meet local needs and ensure fairness globally.
- Distributed work environment with twice-yearly team sprints in person
- Personal learning and development budget of USD 2,000 per year
- Annual compensation review
- Recognition rewards
- Annual holiday leave
- Maternity and paternity leave
- Team Member Assistance Program & Wellness Platform
- Opportunity to travel to new locations to meet colleagues
- Priority Pass and travel upgrades for long-haul company events
About Canonical
Canonical is a pioneering tech firm at the forefront of the global move to open source. As the company that publishes Ubuntu, one of the most important open-source projects and the platform for AI, IoT, and the cloud, we are changing the world of software. We recruit on a global basis and set a very high standard for people joining the company. We expect excellence; in order to succeed, we need to be the best at what we do. Most colleagues at Canonical have worked from home since our inception in 2004. Working here is a step into the future and will challenge you to think differently, work smarter, learn new skills, and raise your game.
Canonical is an equal opportunity employer
We are proud to foster a workplace free from discrimination. Diversity of experience, perspectives, and background create a better work environment and better products. Whatever your identity, we will give your application fair consideration.
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Sample interview questions
I begin by mapping the partner's business priorities, decision-makers, go-to-market model, and technical capabilities. I then create a joint account plan with measurable pipeline, enablement, marketing, and executive-engagement milestones, reviewing progress regularly with both organizations.
I would identify partner segments where Ubuntu solves a clear infrastructure, cloud, edge, or AI need, enable the relevant sales and technical teams, and develop joint customer plays. I would track sourced and influenced opportunities in Salesforce, remove blockers quickly, and use customer workshops to progress qualified opportunities.
A partner sales manager should understand Linux, virtualization, containers, cloud architectures, and the commercial value of open source. The objective is not to replace engineers, but to translate technical capabilities into partner differentiation, customer outcomes, and a credible joint solution.
I use a structured operating rhythm based on clear objectives, account priorities, documented next steps, and regular stakeholder updates. I focus first on opportunities with the strongest strategic and commercial impact while maintaining visibility into risks, dependencies, and required decisions.
I would diagnose whether the barrier is enablement, product fit, incentives, executive sponsorship, or lack of qualified customer demand. Based on the findings, I would reset the joint plan with specific actions, ownership, and deadlines, while escalating strategically if the partnership is not receiving appropriate commitment.
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