Director, Partner Community & Ecosystem Engagement

Lead Partner Engagement & Ecosystem Strategy 

• Define and own the overarching strategy for partner ecosystem engagement across all partner types — technology, accountant, consultant, and channel 

• Set the vision for how Avalara builds community, drives advocacy, and deepens partner loyalty at scale 

• Translate business objectives into partner engagement priorities, ensuring alignment with program evolution, enablement, and go-to-market efforts 

Own Partner Communications Strategy 

• Lead the development of partner-first communication strategies that drive awareness, adoption, and engagement across Avalara's entire partner ecosystem 

• Define communication frameworks, cadences, and governance models to ensure consistent, effective messaging across channels and audiences 

• Serve as executive subject-matter owner for partner communications, advising senior stakeholders on messaging, timing, and channel strategy 

Lead Partner Content Strategy & Operations 

• Own the end-to-end partner content lifecycle — planning, creation, curation, governance, and distribution of partner-facing and internal content 

• Establish scalable content operations including calendars, workflows, prioritization frameworks, and quality standards 

• Ensure content aligns with business priorities, partner program evolution, and key initiatives across the ecosystem 

Drive Digital Partner Experience 

• Lead strategy and execution for Avalara's partner-facing digital experiences, including partner portals, content hubs, and community platforms 

• Drive continuous improvement in content organization, discoverability, and usability to increase self-service and partner engagement 

• Identify and close gaps across the partner digital journey, partnering with cross-functional teams to implement solutions 

Amplify Partner Visibility & Recognition 

• Partner with Marketing, PR, and Communications to elevate partner success stories, announcements, and recognition programs 

• Develop and scale approaches to highlighting partner impact, reinforcing Avalara's partner-first brand in the ecosystem 

• Represent partners' voice and business outcomes in external and executive communications 

Enable Partner & Field Readiness 

• Collaborate with Partner Marketing, Product Marketing, Enablement, and Sales to ensure timely, relevant content that equips partners and the field to win 

• Align communication and enablement strategies to ensure partners are prepared to engage effectively with Avalara solutions and programs 

Execute & Scale Partner Engagement Programs 

• Lead strategy, planning, promotion, and execution of partner engagement initiatives — including webinars, campaigns, community programs, and advisory forums 

• Ensure consistent, high-quality experience across all partner engagement touchpoints 

• Build scalable models for engagement that can grow with the partner ecosystem 

Lead and Develop a High-Performing Team 

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of senior program and engagement professionals across strategy, communications, content, and accountant channel operations 

• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and partner-first thinking 

• Model executive leadership behaviors and build team capability for scale 

Cross-Functional Leadership & Influence 

• Act as a senior executive liaison across Partner Programs, Marketing, Communications, Enablement, and Operations to drive alignment and execution 

• Manage complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives with clear ownership, timelines, and accountability 

• Establish success metrics and reporting frameworks to measure engagement effectiveness and continuously optimize performance 

Key Skills & Attributes 

• 10+ years of experience in partner-focused roles such as partner marketing, communications, community management, ecosystem programs, or alliance operations — with 3+ years in a leadership role managing senior talent 

• Proven ability to build, lead, and scale partner engagement and communications functions in complex, cross-functional environments 

• Executive-level written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders across all levels of the organization 

• Strong strategic thinking with the ability to set direction, drive alignment, and translate vision into execution 

• Deep understanding of partner ecosystems, partner program dynamics, and the levers that drive partner engagement and loyalty 

• Data-driven approach — uses engagement metrics, partner feedback, and business outcomes to continuously optimize programs and priorities 

• Exceptional stakeholder management and leadership-through-influence skills 

• Comfortable operating at both strategic and executional levels; adept at navigating ambiguity and driving clarity 

Tools & Technology (Preferred) 

• Experience with CRM, PRM, or partner platforms (e.g., Salesforce, partner portals, community platforms) 

• Familiarity with content management systems, documentation repositories, and internal knowledge bases 

• Experience with email, communication, and webinar platforms (e.g., Eloqua, Zoom Webinars) 

• Proficiency with collaboration and project management tools (e.g., Smartsheet, Jira, Confluence, SharePoint)