Forward Networks is transforming how the world’s most complex networks are managed and secured. Founded in 2013 by four Stanford Ph.D.s, we built the industry’s first network digital twin — a mathematically precise model of the production network that gives IT teams unmatched visibility, verification, and agility across every major cloud and vendor environment.
Our customers include global leaders such as Goldman Sachs, PayPal, S&P Global, IBM, and Dell, as well as fast-growing enterprises and government agencies. According to IDC, Forward Networks customers realize an average of $14.2 million in annual benefits through improved efficiency and security.
Backed by world-class investors including Andreessen Horowitz, Goldman Sachs, MSD Partners, and Threshold Ventures, Forward Networks offers a people-centric, innovative culture where brilliant minds are shaping the future of network reliability, security, and AI-ready operations.
The RoleWe're looking for our first VP of Strategic Partnerships & Channel Sales to design, launch, and scale Forward's partner ecosystem from the ground up. You will be responsible for designing, building, and scaling a world-class partner ecosystem that includes Managed Service Providers (MSPs), System Integrators, Commercial & Government Resellers, Technology and Strategic Partnerships.
What You'll Do- Architect our MSP/Systems Integrator strategy. Develop and execute partnerships with MSPs & Systems Integrators to ensure Forward is the preferred autonomous networking solution to support their customers.
- Lead our global channel strategy. Ensure that regional resellers and distributors are equipped with the technical and sales resources needed to identify and close "Land & Expand" opportunities.
- Develop strategic partnerships with key technology companies. Identify and cultivate relationships with complementary technical partners that supports product integrations and drives incremental revenue.
- Establish C-level relationships across top partners and act as the executive face of Forward within our partner ecosystem
- Design & manage our partner program. Build the foundations from scratch — tiering, margins and incentives, deal registration, co-sell motions, enablement, and the tooling needed to run it. Build partnerships where their teams can both sell and deliver our technology.
- Drive revenue. Partner closely with sales to drive sell-to and sell-through opportunities. Ultimately, own a partner-sourced and partner-influenced pipeline number and the closed revenue that follows
- Work cross-functionally. Work with Product, Sales, Operations, Finance & Marketing on various activities including partner-ready packaging, co-marketing and lead-gen, co-selling rules of engagement and partner enablement.
- 12+ years in channel/partner sales, with at least 6+ years in leadership, including hands-on selling, not just program management.
- Proven experience build the channel & partner function — you've built or substantially scaled a channel & partner function, ideally at a startup or small team where you didn't have existing playbooks or tooling to lean on.
- Consistent performance against partner goals for revenue, pipeline generation and closed won conversion rates.
- An existing network of relevant partners and connections in your ecosystem that you can leverage across MSPs, Systems Integrators, Resellers and technology partners
- Builder / Architect mentality — You can move seamlessly from strategy to execution, driving real outcomes in the field. You bring the urgency, ownership, and accountability required to transform a partner function into a growth engine
- Strong cross-functional collaboration with product, marketing, and direct sales.
- Excellent communication — credible with both a partner's CEO and their reps in the field.
- Relevant Network or Network adjacent security experience You understand networks and how they work and have sold similar technology products to our buyers
- Familiarity with PRM and channel tooling (e.g., Crossbeam, PartnerStack, Salesforce PRM).
- Experience navigating channel conflict in a company running both direct and indirect motions.
The expected On-Target Cash Earnings for this role is between $390,000-$420,000 per year. Within this range, individual pay is determined by several factors including but not limited to, job-related skills, work experience, and relevant education/training'
Skills Required
- 12+ years in channel/partner sales with at least 6+ years in leadership and hands-on selling
- Proven experience building or substantially scaling a channel and partner function
- Consistent performance against partner goals for revenue, pipeline generation, and closed won conversion rates
- Existing network of partners across MSPs, Systems Integrators, Resellers, and technology partners
- Ability to move from strategy to execution with urgency, ownership, and accountability
- Strong cross-functional collaboration with product, marketing, and direct sales
- Excellent communication, credible with partner CEOs and field reps
- Experience in Networking or Security tools
- Familiarity with PRM and channel tooling (e.g., Crossbeam, PartnerStack, Salesforce PRM)
- Experience navigating channel conflict in companies running both direct and indirect motions
Forward Networks Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Forward Networks and has not been reviewed or approved by Forward Networks.
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Fair & Transparent Compensation — Pay is considered competitive for a mid-stage infrastructure/software company across several roles and locations. Signals point to strong totals in technical and select go-to-market positions.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Equity is broadly offered to all employees, creating ownership potential alongside salary and bonus. As a private company, perceived value can rise with company performance and future liquidity.
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Healthcare Strength — Medical, dental, and vision coverage is described as top-grade for employees and dependents. Company materials consistently highlight strong core health benefits across hiring channels.
Forward Networks Insights
What We Do
The future of network operations is network modeling. Forward Networks' flagship platform Forward Enterprise gives users a mathematically accurate network digital twin. Forward enables perfect network visibility, full path analysis, security policy verification, and change prediction, freeing up time and saving you money.
