Director of Partnerships and Alliances

Interplay Learning sits at the intersection of EdTech, Virtual Reality, and Enterprise Software as it modernizes Learning Management & Content Systems throughout the skilled trade industries.

Since 2016, Austin-based Interplay Learning has been building better training, better careers and better lives for its customers and their employees.

Our award-winning online and VR training for the essential skilled trades, including HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical, Solar, Multi-Family Maintenance and Facilities Maintenance workforces, is scalable and more effective than traditional training methods. By leveraging immersive learning technology, Interplay’s customers are able to train and practice hands-on learning from a desktop, phone, tablet, or in virtual reality. The result is a highly trained employee who is job-ready in weeks, not years. 

Our digital experiential learning platform, SkillMill, conveniently turns any space into a training lab with its short video courses, 3D simulations, knowledge checks, coaching, community, and connectivity. 

Awards & Recognition: 

• September 2024, Interplay Learning Closes Growth Investment from Goldman Sachs Alternatives and Acquires Industrial Training International
• Built-In, Best Midsize Places to Work In Austin 2023 & 2024
• Forbes 2024, America's Best Startup Employers
• Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas Awards in the Education, General Excellence, and On the Rise categories

Position: Director of Partnerships and Alliances  

Interplay Learning is dedicated to helping the next generation of skilled workers gain essential skills for fulfilling careers. Following our recent acquisition of ITI, we are focused on expanding our industrial sector partnerships to drive growth and profitability through robust alliances and strategic channels.

The Director of Partnerships and Alliances will be responsible for building and scaling Interplay’s partner ecosystem.

Reporting to the Chief Revenue Officer (CRO), this role will manage and expand our partnership portfolio, focusing on strategic alliances and channel programs that drive revenue and competitive advantage. Collaborating closely with teams across Sales, Growth, and Product, the Director will oversee one Partnerships Manager and will play a pivotal role in establishing scalable partnership models and measuring their impact on company objectives.

You can be based in Austin or fully remote (with travel to Austin).

Why this position: 

• Meaningful, impactful work
• Mission-driven company
• Career development in a dynamic, high growth environment
• Passionate, collaborative team 
• Innovative product - EdTech, VR, AI

What you'll do:

• Revenue and Pipeline Generation: Drive measurable revenue growth through the partnership program by establishing and tracking sales pipelines, creating partner-specific incentives, and fostering joint lead generation initiatives. Collaborate with Sales, Product, Marketing and Growth teams to optimize partner-led sales channels, ensuring consistent and scalable revenue contribution across all partnership types.
• Partnership Infrastructure Development: Implement scalable infrastructure to support the growth and efficiency of our partnership program, ensuring the systems and processes are in place to expand effectively.
• Strategic Direction of Partner Function: Define the strategic direction for the partner function, identifying key areas of focus, deciding which products or services to prioritize for partner-led growth, and ensuring alignment with company objectives.
• New Partner Acquisition: Drive the recruitment of new partners, actively expanding our network to support revenue growth and diversify our partner ecosystem. Leverage experience to coordinate contracting process and negotiate favorable terms. 
• Growth of Existing Partners: Develop strategies to deepen relationships and expand engagement with existing partners, identifying opportunities for increased impact and revenue generation.
• Financial Goal Setting for Partnerships: Set and monitor financial targets for the partnerships group as a whole, and establish specific goals for individual partners that align with growth and profitability objectives.
• Partner Enablement: Equip partners with the necessary resources and support to effectively refer, resell, or co-sell Interplay’s offerings, optimizing partner engagement and effectiveness.
• Team Management: Lead and mentor the partnerships team, including the current Manager of Strategic Partnerships, setting objectives that promote professional growth and drive team success.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with Sales, Growth, Product, and other teams to ensure partnership initiatives are integrated and aligned with broader company goals, driving cohesive execution across functions.

Who you are:

• Excellent relationship-building skills, with experience collaborating with senior executives and cross-functional teams.
• Strong negotiation and communication skills, adept at navigating complex partnership ecosystems.
• Experience in team leadership, with a focus on fostering growth and accountability.

Requirements:

• Demonstrated ability to drive revenue through partnerships, with a track record of creating growth-focused, measurable business plans with partners.
• 7+ years of experience in partnerships, alliances, or channel management, with at least 2 years in a leadership role with at least 1 direct report.
• Proven success in designing and scaling partnership ecosystems or programs, ideally within SaaS, EdTech, or training technology sectors.
• Industrial, skilled trades or adjacent industry experience is highly preferred.
• 25-50% travel for in person meetings with partners & affiliates to build relationships or guide the onboarding/enablement process.

Pay: up to $160k base salary, approximately $180k OTE

Interplay Learning Ethos:

At Interplay, we love what we do. We embrace our daily challenge to push technological limits to invent better ways to make learning easier and training more powerful. We attract passionate people and invite spirited discourse. We celebrate that our jobs fit our lives, not the inverse. We are uncompromising in our belief that together: we can build better training, build better careers and build better lives for customers and our team.

Company Benefits:

• Remote-first culture and flexible hours
• Learning resources and annual learning reimbursement
• Family-friendly policies 
• Generous vacation policy includes 3 weeks of PTO, 1 week Winter Break, holidays and sick days 
• Medical, vision and dental insurance coverage
• 401k
• Private company stock options
• Mental health and wellness resources
• Virtual/in person social events

Diversity Statement

At Interplay Learning, diversity and inclusion are fundamental to who we are and how we operate our business. We’re building a diverse workforce that cultivates and supports all individuals for the betterment of each other, our company, and our customers. We believe a culture of equality creates a stronger work environment for all employees and that we are all accountable for encouraging and celebrating diverse voices. Interplay Learning commits to promote and recognize principles of fairness, equity, and social justice in relation to, and across, intersections of race, age, color, disability, faith, religion, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, social class, economic class, ethnicity, gender identity, gender expression, and all other identities represented among our diverse membership.

We strongly encourage people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and non-binary people, veterans, and individuals with disabilities to apply. Interplay Learning is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team. If you need any reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Interplay Learning is committed to providing equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, pregnancy, marital status, gender identity or expression, status as a veteran, or any other legally protected characteristic or activity in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.