Channel Partnerships & Affiliates Lead

📋 Description

• • Hercules is seeking a highly motivated and commercially astute Channel Partnerships and Affiliates Lead to spearhead the development and execution of our partner distribution strategy. This pivotal role is designed for an individual who thrives on building and scaling programs, possesses a keen eye for detail, and is driven by the success of their partners. You will be instrumental in establishing Hercules' partner ecosystem, taking ownership of partner acquisition, the strategic design of our programs, comprehensive enablement initiatives, and rigorous performance management.
• • As the Channel Partnerships and Affiliates Lead, your primary objective will be to construct a robust and scalable partner distribution engine. This involves identifying and securing strategic channel partnerships, designing and implementing a high-performing affiliate program, and ensuring seamless operational execution. You will be the architect of our partner success, fostering an environment where our partners can thrive and contribute significantly to Hercules' growth.
• • The ideal candidate is deeply commercial, possessing a proven ability to articulate value propositions, negotiate favorable terms, and successfully close deals. You are systems-minded, capable of building programs that are not only effective but also scalable, with meticulously designed tracking mechanisms and clear operational guardrails to ensure integrity and efficiency. A genuine passion for partner success is paramount; you will be dedicated to empowering our partners through clear, actionable enablement strategies and impactful co-marketing initiatives.
• • Success in this role will be measured by your ability to drive key metrics, including partner-sourced signups, revenue generation, customer acquisition cost (CAC), payback periods, and overall partner quality. You will be responsible for establishing and monitoring these performance indicators, working collaboratively with partners to optimize their contributions.
• • Your responsibilities will encompass a wide range of strategic and operational activities. You will lead the identification of potential channel distribution targets, craft compelling pitches, negotiate partnership agreements, and finalize deals. For the affiliate program, you will define its structure, including tiered incentives, attribution windows, and recruitment strategies, with the goal of scaling the program effectively.
• • Operational excellence is key. You will oversee the implementation and management of tracking systems, ensuring accurate attribution, robust fraud prevention measures, clear payout rules, and comprehensive reporting. Partner enablement is another critical area, involving the development and delivery of onboarding materials, core messaging frameworks, sales and marketing assets, effective demo flows, and ongoing support to ensure partners are well-equipped.
• • You will also drive co-marketing efforts, orchestrating joint launches, webinars, newsletter collaborations, marketplace listings, and joint announcements to amplify reach and impact. Furthermore, you will manage the partner pipeline and cultivate strong, lasting relationships through diligent CRM pipeline management, regular communication cadences, conducting Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs), and overseeing renewals and expansion opportunities.
• • Hercules operates with a set of core principles that guide our daily decisions and actions. We move with urgency, shipping fast, iterating, and correcting mistakes quickly to accelerate learning and delight customers. We strive for excellence, ensuring our work is detailed, simple, and self-serve, taking pride in high-quality outputs. We are hungry, demonstrating a relentless drive and willingness to work hard and operate at any level to achieve desired outcomes. While many of these principles can be learned on the job, we specifically filter for candidates who embody this proactive, excellence-driven, and determined mindset.
• • This role offers a unique opportunity to build a foundational function within a growing company. You will have the autonomy to shape the partner program from the ground up, leveraging your expertise to create a sustainable and high-impact channel. Your contributions will directly influence Hercules' market penetration and revenue growth, making this a highly visible and rewarding position.