Strategic Partner Ecosystem Jobs in Chicago, IL

Junior Partner Development Managers start around $70k–$90k, mid‑level roles fetch $90k–$120k, while senior positions and Directors command $120k–$160k plus 15–25% commission and equity grants. Executive partners (VP of Partnerships) typically earn $200k–$280k base plus significant performance bonuses.

Core skills include partner‑relationship management, API integration, cloud‑native architecture, data‑driven analytics, and negotiation. Certifications such as AWS Partner Network (APN) Advanced, Microsoft Partner Network (MPN) Silver/Gold, Salesforce Partner Program, and CompTIA Cloud+ elevate credibility. Technical engineers often hold Mulesoft Certified Integration Specialist or Azure Integration Services Expert.

Yes, most partner‑ecosystem roles allow full remote or hybrid arrangements, especially for partner enablement, sales, and program management. Technical Partner Engineers may require occasional on‑site visits for integration demos, but 80–90% of hours are remote.

Typical progression: Partner Development Associate → Partner Development Manager → Senior Partner Manager → Director of Partner Ecosystem → VP of Partnerships. Career growth hinges on expanding partner portfolios, mastering multi‑cloud integration, and delivering measurable revenue growth.

Key trends include AI‑driven partner recommendation engines, API economy scaling, cloud‑native marketplace expansions, data‑centric partner performance analytics, and increased emphasis on joint‑go‑to‑market agreements that embed security and compliance controls.