Program Manager, Partner Enablement

Description

Forward was founded in 2013 by four Stanford Ph.D.s, building the industry's first network digital twin: a mathematically accurate model of the production network. It's the foundation for autonomous networking, giving engineers and AI agents the ability to know the impact of every change before it touches production. That founding instinct still defines how we work. We're accurate and evidence-driven, relentless about clarity, and we'd rather be certain than comfortable, building a groundbreaking platform that transforms how teams run and secure networks across every major cloud and vendor environment.

Global leaders like Goldman Sachs, PayPal, S&P Global, IBM, and Dell trust Forward, alongside fast-growing enterprises and government agencies, realizing an average of $14.2 million in annual benefits, according to IDC. Backed by top-tier investors, including A. Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, Goldman Sachs, MSD Partners, Omega Venture Partners, Section 32, and Threshold Ventures, and headquartered in Santa Clara, we're most proud of our team: curious people who'd rather build what doesn't exist than accept how things have always been done.

Forward Networks is looking for an experienced Program Manager, Partner Enablement to build an ecosystem of partners equipped to sell, deploy, and operate Forward to the same standard as our own teams.

You will own the partner enablement strategy from onboarding through certification, designation, and recertification. Working with Channel leadership, Sales Enablement, Technical Enablement, and Technical Services, you will turn existing content and targeted new materials into practical learning paths that help partners generate pipeline, deliver services independently, and protect the customer experience.

Responsibilities

• Strategy and Program Ownership
• Define and evolve the Partner Enablement Charter aligned with Forward Partner Program goals and Channel leadership priorities.
• Own partner onboarding and certification curricula across four tracks: Sales; Technical Pre-Sales for resale partners; Deployment and Implementation; and Operator and MSP.
• Design individual certifications for partner sellers and technical pre-sales professionals, and company designations for Deployment and Implementation and Operator and MSP partners, including the higher readiness bar for “Powered by Forward” MSPs.
• Align learning paths with partner levels, designation requirements, and program incentives in partnership with Channel leadership and Technical Services.
• Build recertification and quarterly release refresh programs, and work with LMS, CRM, and Partner Portal owners to track certification status accurately.
• Content and Delivery
• Partner with Sales Enablement and Technical Enablement to adapt existing messaging, discovery guides, use-case plays, customer stories, and deal support assets for partner audiences.
• Coordinate partner technical learning covering NQE, the Forward API, integrations, and quarterly Essential Updates release courses, plus customer engagement runbooks, QBRs, and escalation practices for MSP operators.
• Identify content gaps and coordinate subject matter experts to develop hands-on labs, graded capstones, scoring rubrics, and consistent assessment standards.
• Ensure certification demonstrates practical skills through assessed work and clear readiness criteria.
• Manage partner learning paths, content taxonomy, and governance in the LMS.
• Deliver live and virtual boot camps, certification cohorts, launch webinars, and partner events; coordinate enablement readiness for launches and pilots.
• Measurement and Feedback
• Measure partner time to certification, designation, and revenue, along with certified seller and engineer coverage across the partner community.
• Track enablement’s contribution to partner-sourced and partner-influenced pipeline, deal registration, win rates, and services attach.
• Partner with Technical Services to monitor designated partners’ delivery quality through L3 escalation rates, SLA attainment, and end-customer health.
• Use partner satisfaction survey results and structured feedback from partners and Channel Account Managers to improve programs quarterly.
• Within the first 12 months, launch all four tracks and support the first partners earning Deployment and Implementation and Operator and MSP designations.

Requirements

• 7–10 years in Partner or Channel Enablement, Sales Enablement, or Revenue Enablement, including at least 3 years enabling channel partners, systems integrators, or MSPs.
• Experience enabling complex, multi-stakeholder deals and building tiered partner certification programs with hands-on labs and graded assessments.
• Working technical fluency in networking or security sufficient to scope labs and capstones with Technical Services and assess content quality; direct lab development is not required.
• Strong facilitation and executive communication skills, including experience engaging partner executives.
• Proficiency with Salesforce and LMS analytics; experience with Absorb or a similar learning platform.
• Ability to take ownership, navigate ambiguity, and manage changing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• An approach focused on measurable partner selling and delivery outcomes, with the judgment to reuse existing content and prioritize new development where it adds value.
• Familiarity with MSP and managed-services business models is a plus.

Conditions

The expected On-Target Cash Earning for this role is between $135,000 - $175,000 per year. Within this range, individual pay is determined by several factors including but not limited to, job-related skills, work experience, and relevant education/training