About the 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.
Canonical is growing its channel sales team to capitalize on rapidly growing demand from channel partners, leveraging their expertise and connections to bring open source technology to organizations across a multitude of industries.
The Channel Partner Sales Executive, Japan role reports to the Director, APAC Channel Sales and requires a mix of both farming and hunting capabilities. The successful candidate will be responsible for achieving assigned annual growth quotas.
They should be able to identify, prospect, and engage reseller and distributor partners to build and maintain relationships and grow Canonical’s business within the assigned territory.
The successful candidate must be comfortable owning and leading initiatives in an unstructured, startup-like environment. This individual must be able to sell open source, cloud, virtualization, and technical software solutions.
Although the role is focused primarily on reseller and distributor channel partners, the successful candidate must be capable of and comfortable with initial customer discovery calls and presentations as appropriate.
Location: Japan
The Role Entails
Develop and execute channel strategy for distributors and resellers within the assigned territory
Increase awareness of Canonical as a lead player in Open Source and Cloud (Private, Hybrid, Multi, and Public models)
Identify and recruit new potential partners in assigned territory
Leverage personal network and prospecting skills to engage new partners and build on Canonical’s already-successful relationships
Guide partners through onboarding and enablement
Develop mutually beneficial go-to-market plans and commitments with partners
Arrange and execute sales and pre sales trainings to these resellers
Drive and manage channel pipeline through recurring partner interactions
Support partner’s satisfaction and act as trusted advisor and point of contact
Maintain a regularity/frequency of contact with priority resellers and distributors.
What we are looking for in you
Bachelor's level degree, preferably in a technology field
Experience in software or technology sales from the specified market
Fluency in English
An understanding of open source, Linux and Ubuntu
A self starter with a proven track record of achieving sales targets
Detail oriented with strong follow-up skills
Effective negotiating skills with ability to close sales
Excellent interpersonal and presentation skills (written and verbal)
Productive in a globally distributed team through self-discipline and self-motivation
Mature approach to long-term relationship development with customers
The ability to represent the company at external events
Start-up experience would be an advantage
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 recognise 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
Employee Assistance Programme
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 its 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.
#LI-remote