Sr. Partner Program Manager
Palo Alto NetworksOur Mission
At Palo Alto Networks®, we’re united by a shared mission—to protect our digital way of life. We thrive at the intersection of innovation and impact, solving real-world problems with cutting-edge technology and bold thinking. Here, everyone has a voice, and every idea counts. If you’re ready to do the most meaningful work of your career alongside people who are just as passionate as you are, you’re in the right place.
Who We Are
In order to be the cybersecurity partner of choice, we must trailblaze the path and shape the future of our industry. This is something our employees work at each day and is defined by our values: Disruption, Collaboration, Execution, Integrity, and Inclusion. We weave AI into the fabric of everything we do and use it to augment the impact every individual can have. If you are passionate about solving real-world problems and ideating beside the best and the brightest, we invite you to join us!
This role is remote, but distance is no barrier to impact. Our hybrid teams collaborate across geographies to solve big problems, stay close to our customers, and grow together. You will be part of a culture that values trust, accountability, and shared success where your work truly matters.Job Summary
As a Senior Partner Program Manager, you will serve as the global program owner for one or more strategic partner programs. A key program within this portfolio may include CYBERFORCE, an elite recognition and enablement program for top-performing Partner SEs.
You will lead the strategic design, operational governance, and continuous evolution of assigned programs while ensuring alignment across key partner routes to market, including Reseller, MSP/MSSP, GSI, CSP, Distribution, Referral, Services, and partner recognition initiatives.
This role operates at the intersection of strategy, operations, and cross-functional execution, requiring expertise in partner program management, incentive governance, operational scalability, stakeholder alignment, and go-to-market program delivery. You will lead complex, high-visibility initiatives focused on scaling partner programs, improving operational efficiency, and enhancing partner experience through data-driven insights, automation, and modern workflow technologies.You will be the central point of accountability for eliminating process gaps and ensuring your program(s) are competitive, scalable and valuable to partners and PANW.
This is a senior individual contributor role that operates through cross-functional influence rather than direct organizational authority. Success requires the ability to independently lead program initiatives, drive alignment among global senior stakeholders, and balance strategic evolution with operational excellence.
Key Responsibilities
1. Strategic Program Leadership & Lifecycle Governance
Program Ownership & Scale: Define, manage, and evolve global partner programs that drive partner engagement, profitability, operational efficiency, and strategic alignment with PANW priorities across multiple partner business models.
Executive Communication & Influence: Deliver clear, data-driven updates to leadership regarding program performance, strategic risks, operational dependencies, and recommended decisions.
Operational Governance: Serve as the global subject matter expert for assigned programs, ensuring operational consistency, policy clarity, KPI tracking, process integrity, and measurable business impact.
Incentive & Recognition Governance: Ensure program incentives, rewards, and recognition structures are aligned with broader partner program strategy, business objectives, and measurable partner/customer value.
Program Adoption & Value Realization: Develop and execute program adoption, communication, and measurement strategies that demonstrate program effectiveness and business value.
Program Messaging & Enablement: Partner with cross-functional teams to develop scalable program documentation, enablement assets, operational guidance, and partner communications.
2. Operational Scalability & Automation
Workflow Optimization: Leverage automation, AI-enabled technologies, and modern productivity tools to improve operational efficiency, reduce manual processes, and scale program administration.
Data & Insights: Partner with analytics and operations teams to leverage data-driven insights that improve decision-making, identify operational risks, and inform program enhancements.
Scalable Communications: Utilize modern content and automation tools to accelerate development of partner-facing communications, enablement materials, and program guidance.
Process Improvement: Identify opportunities to streamline workflows, automate repeatable tasks leveraging AI, and improve partner support experiences related to program operations and policy management.
3. Cross-Functional Collaboration & Execution
Cross-Functional Leadership: Serve as the primary liaison between partner programs and cross-functional stakeholders including Legal, Finance, Marketing, IT, Operations, and Enablement teams to drive alignment and execution.
Vendor & Operational Management: Manage vendor relationships, operational tooling, and associated program budgets that support the successful execution and scale of partner programs.
Escalation & Issue Resolution: Act as the accountable program lead for complex operational issues related to program compliance, incentive eligibility, process exceptions, and partner experience, coordinating resolution across stakeholders.
Qualifications
7+ years of experience in partner programs, channel operations, sales programs, or related business operations roles within enterprise technology, SaaS, or cloud environments.
Education: BA/BS degree or higher in Business Administration; PMP/PgMP certification is a strong advantage.
Technical & Operational Proficiency: Experience working with CRM platforms (e.g., Salesforce), project management tools, reporting systems, and operational workflows within complex enterprise environments.
Process & Automation Mindset: Demonstrated ability to leverage automation, analytics, and modern productivity technologies to improve operational scalability and efficiency.
Core Competencies:
Strategic Agility: Ability to link program design to long-term business outcomes and partner profitability.
Operational Rigor: A "systems-thinker" who can identify root causes of process failures and build scalable, durable solutions.
Communication: Exceptional executive-level verbal and written communication skills. Experience influencing senior stakeholders and aligning VP-level leaders across functions
Analytical Mindset: High comfort level with data integrity, reporting logic, and financial reconciliation.
Flexibility: Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment with competing priorities.
Compensation Disclosure
The compensation offered for this position will depend on qualifications, experience, and work location. For candidates who receive an offer at the posted level, the starting base salary (for non-sales roles) or base salary + commission target (for sales/com-missioned roles) is expected to be the annual range listed below. The offered compensation may also include restricted stock units and a bonus. A description of our employee benefits may be found here.
$146,000.00 - $236,500.00/yrOur Commitment
We’re trailblazers that dream big, take risks, and challenge cybersecurity’s status quo. It’s simple: we can’t accomplish our mission without diverse teams innovating, together.
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all qualified individuals with a disability. If you require assistance or accommodation due to a disability or special need, please contact us at accommodations@paloaltonetworks.com.
Palo Alto Networks is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity in our workplace, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or other legally protected characteristics.
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
Is role eligible for Immigration Sponsorship? No. Please note that we will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position.