The pathway
How you actually get there, here
How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.
- 1
Channel Account Manager (CAM)
3-5 yearsSkills to master
- Hitting partner-sourced quotas, managing a portfolio of 15-20 partners, executing QBRs, basic conflict resolution, product enablement.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently exceeding partner revenue targets for 2+ years.
- Proactively identifying and developing growth opportunities within your partner portfolio.
- Successfully resolving complex partner issues with minimal manager intervention.
- Demonstrating strong product knowledge and ability to enable partners effectively.
- 2
Direct Sales Account Manager
4-6 yearsSkills to master
- Complex deal negotiation, understanding customer pain points, pipeline management, forecasting, building strong customer relationships. You'd need to learn the nuances of indirect sales.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently exceeding direct sales quotas for 2+ years.
- Experience working with partners on deals, even if not directly managing them.
- Strong desire to move into an indirect sales model and build an ecosystem.
- Demonstrated ability to influence and collaborate with external stakeholders.
- 3
Business Development Manager (BDM)
5-7 yearsSkills to master
- Lead generation, market research, qualifying opportunities, building initial relationships with potential partners or customers. You'd need to develop skills in long-term partner management and programme execution.
You're ready to move on when
- Proven track record of identifying and securing new business opportunities.
- Strong networking and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to articulate value propositions effectively to new audiences.
- A keen interest in building strategic alliances and developing a partner ecosystem.