Channel Partner Manager DACH (mfd)
Job Summary
This is a pivotal individual contributor role at the heart of Freshworks channel growth strategy. As a Channel Manager you will own the full lifecycle of our mid-market reseller business across Germany Austria and Switzerland from prospecting and signing new value-added resellers through to driving active pipeline resale revenue and installed base expansion through those relationships.
The opportunity is significant. Freshworks is building a volume resale motion to displace incumbent ITSM platforms through partners who already sell into the mid-market. DACH is a channel-led market where the majority of mid-market IT spend transacts through resellers and this role sits at the centre of that effort. You will work closely with field sales pre-sales and marketing as well as directly with VAR sales leaders and owners to build a reseller base that generates repeatable run-rate revenue.
The right person combines a hunters instinct for signing the right resellers with the commercial discipline to hold those partners accountable to joint business plans and pipeline commitments. You know how VARs make money how they compensate their sellers and how to get from first conversation to first transacted deal quickly.
Responsibilities:
VAR Recruitment & Onboarding
Identify target and sign mid-market VARs aligned to Freshworks DACH ITSM ITAM and CX growth priorities
Build and maintain a pipeline of prospective resellers drawing on market mapping distribution networks competitor partner rosters and ex-incumbent relationships
Lead the end-to-end recruitment process from initial outreach and business case development through to contract execution and onboarding
Design and execute structured onboarding that brings new VARs to first-deal-ready status inside 90 days: product knowledge resale terms and margin structure deal registration quoting pre-sales support model
Partner Enablement & Acceleration
Build VAR capability across sales and pre-sales so partners can position scope quote and close Freshworks solutions without vendor dependency
Develop joint go-to-market plans with each partner including target verticals solution plays and co-sell motions with Freshworks field teams
Drive participation in Freshworks enablement programmes including accreditation demo certification and deal support resources
Act as the primary relationship owner into VAR sales leadership and seller communities building multi-threaded engagement across sales marketing and ownership
Deploy MDF and campaign investment against agreed pipeline outcomes not activity
Pipeline & Revenue
Own and actively manage a partner-sourced and partner-influenced pipeline working with field AEs to progress and close VAR-originated opportunities
Set and hold partners to joint pipeline targets resale revenue commitments and expansion targets in the installed base through structured QBR and business planning rhythms
Drive deal progression through CRM monitoring not reactive deal registration
Co-sell alongside partners on key opportunities providing commercial technical and executive support as required
Track and report on VAR pipeline health conversion velocity and revenue contribution through Salesforce ensuring accurate and up-to-date forecasting
Strategy & Ecosystem Development
Contribute to the DACH VAR strategy including partner selection criteria tiering margin design and investment allocation
Identify resellers with existing ServiceNow ManageEngine or legacy ITSM books as priority displacement targets and develop engagement plans accordingly
Work cross-functionally with marketing product and pre-sales to develop reseller-specific content campaign assets and quoting tools
Feed market and competitive intelligence back into channel leadership including partner sentiment competitor margin structures and whitespace opportunity
Qualifications :
Required
7 years experience in channel alliances or partner management within a SaaS or enterprise software environment
Fluent German and English written and spoken
Demonstrable track record of recruiting and activating resale partners in the DACH market not just managing existing relationships
Strong understanding of VAR economics: margin expectations seller compensation distribution relationships and how resellers decide where to invest sales capacity
Experience working in or adjacent to ITSM ITAM EX or CX categories familiarity with the ServiceNow or ManageEngine reseller ecosystems is a strong advantage
Commercially rigorous: comfortable building joint business plans setting pipeline targets and holding partners accountable to commitments
Ability to build and maintain senior relationships within reseller organisations sales directors managing directors and owners
Strong pipeline management discipline fluent in Salesforce or equivalent CRM for partner opportunity tracking and forecasting
Effective at working cross-functionally: comfortable aligning field sales pre-sales and marketing behind partner-led motions
Preferred
Prior experience at a vendor in a channel role targeting ServiceNow or legacy ITSM displacement through resale
Existing DACH reseller network across Germany Austria and Switzerland
Experience building a resale motion from early stage including margin and incentive design
Familiarity with distribution and marketplace dynamics as a complement to direct VAR management
Background in solution or pre-sales that gives you credibility in technical conversations with partner sellers
Personal Attributes
Hunter mentality: energised by finding and opening new relationships not just managing the existing book
High commercial IQ able to quickly assess partner fit investment appetite and revenue potential
Direct and confident communicator able to influence without authority across both internal and partner organisations
Disciplined operator: tracks commitments follows through and manages a structured pipeline without prompting
Comfortable with ambiguity and early-stage programme building this role will shape the mid-market resale motion not inherit a mature one
Additional Information :
The role is based in the London office in a hybrid setup (3 days in the office).
At Freshworks we are creating a global workplace that enables everyone to find their true potential purpose and passion irrespective of their background gender race sexual orientation religion and ethnicity. We are committed to providing equal opportunity for all and believe that diversity in the workplace creates a more vibrant richer work environment that advances the goals of our employees communities and the business.
Please note that for this specific role Freshworks is unable to provide visa sponsorship. All candidates must possess the valid right to work in Germany at the time of application and be able to provide evidence of this right prior to commencement of employment.
At Freshworks we have fostered an environment that enables everyone to find their true potential purpose and passion welcoming colleagues of all backgrounds genders sexual orientations religions and ethnicities. We are committed to providing equal opportunity and believe that diversity in the workplace creates a more vibrant richer environment that boosts the goals of our employees communities and business. Fresh vision. Real impact. Come build it with us.
Remote Work :
No
Employment Type :
Full-time
About Company
Freshworks makes it fast and easy for businesses to delight their customers and employees. We do this by taking a fresh approach to building and delivering software that is affordable, quick to implement, and designed for the end user. Headquartered in San Mateo, California, Freshwork ... View more