Director of Strategic Partnerships

Kore.ai is a globally recognized leader in the conversational and generative AI space helping enterprises deliver extraordinary experiences for their customers, employees, and contact center agents. Kore.ai's goal is to empower businesses with effective, simple and responsible AI solutions that create engaging interactions. sectors serving over 100M of consumers and 500,000+ employees worldwide. With billions of interactions automated using our AI-powered technology, we have been able to save over $500M for these companies.


Kore.ai is one of the fastest growing AI companies globally. We are recognized as a leader by the leading technology and industry analysts like Gartner, Forrester, IDC, ISG, Everest, and others.


Founded in 2014 by serial successful entrepreneur, Raj Koneru, Kore.ai supports customers globally across offices in Orlando, Hyderabad, New York, London, Germany, Dubai Frankfurt, Tokyo and Seoul.


We're reshaping the way companies harness the power of AI, simplifying and enhancing accessibility. Work alongside some of the brightest minds in the industry to pioneer safe, reliable solutions. Join the Kore.ai team and help companies of all sizes simplify the adoption of advanced AI solutions responsibly.

JOB TITLE: Director of Strategic Partnerships

SUMMARY:

The Director of Strategic Partnerships is responsible for identifying, structuring, and standing up high-impact partnerships with ISVs, technology companies, and select SIs that open new growth opportunities for Kore.ai. This role owns the full lifecycle of a partnership - from spotting the opportunity and building the strategic and business case, to structuring the commercial model, to leading execution once the deal is signed. It's a strategic role rather than a typical partner sales role, and the ideal candidate brings a strategic, analytical mindset, comfortable designing a go-to-market approach from the ground up rather than working from an existing playbook.

LOCATION: NYC NY, San Mateo CA or remote

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Partnership Strategy & Opportunity Identification

• Identify and evaluate partnership opportunities with ISVs, technology platforms, and select SIs that align with Kore.ai's growth priorities.
• Build the business case, market rationale, and strategic recommendation for new partnerships, presenting to executive leadership.
• Monitor the competitive and partner ecosystem landscape to surface new opportunities.

2. Deal Structuring & Go-to-Market Design

• Design the commercial and go-to-market structure for each partnership, tailored to its specific strategic goals.
• Lead negotiation and structuring of partnership agreements, working closely with Legal, Product, and Finance.
• Define success metrics and a launch plan for each new partnership.

3. Cross-Functional Execution & Stand-Up

• Act as the internal lead to stand up new partnerships post-signature, aligning Product, Marketing, and Sales around a coherent joint go-to-market approach.
• Build initial positioning, playbook, and enablement materials for each new partnership, handing off to the appropriate team once established.
• Partner with Product on any technical integration requirements needed to support the partnership.

4. Executive Communication & Governance

• Present partnership strategy, business cases, and progress updates to the Head of Partnerships and executive leadership on a regular cadence.
• Maintain a clear view of the partnership portfolio's strategic rationale and progress against growth goals.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum 5 years of experience in a strategy consulting role (MBB or similar tier-1 firm) with direct exposure to tech, software, or platform clients, OR equivalent experience in corporate strategy, partnerships, or business development at a technology company required.
• Prior experience with partnerships or partner strategy is a strong plus, but this is not required to be a partner sales or quota-carrying background - we are prioritizing strategic and analytical horsepower over a sales pedigree.
• Demonstrated ability to build a go-to-market or business model from scratch, without an existing template to follow required.
• Strong executive presence and the ability to influence senior stakeholders internally and at partner organizations, without formal authority required.
• Comfort operating with ambiguity and defining scope independently required.
• Ability to travel globally up to 30%-50% for key executive partner meetings, events, and field engagements required.

EDUCATION QUALIFICATION

• Undergraduate degree from a strong program required; MBA strongly preferred.
• Minimum 3 years post-graduate experience at a top-tier strategy consulting firm (McKinsey, Bain, BCG, Accenture, Deloitte, or similar) strongly preferred.

Depending on specific professional experience and geographical location of individuals, the salary for this position ranges from $170,000 - $190,000. Additional wage/bonus/commission and benefit details will be shared during the formal interview process for this full-time employment opportunity.