Account Executive - Direct Sales and Channel Partnerships
Employment Type
Location
Full-Time
San Francisco, CA, USA
Department
Location Type
Growth - Sales
In-Person/Hybrid
Overview
We are looking for an AE who will be responsible for both closing direct deals and building our first channel partnerships. We integrate into platforms our customers already use (CCaaS, sales dialers, AI voice agent frameworks), which means those platform companies are natural partners.
This position expects a roughly 60/40 split between closing direct deals and developing channel partnerships that generate co-sell pipeline and embedded distribution. The direct deals add to credibility and product knowledge; the channel work multiplies reach.
This position is expected to:
Close direct enterprise deals — full cycle, $75K–$250K ACV, VP/Director buyers in CX and contact center ops
Identify, recruit, and activate channel partners: CCaaS vendors, systems integrators, conversational AI platforms, sales tech providers
Build co-sell and co-marketing motions with partners that generate pipeline for both sides
Develop partner enablement materials: one-pagers, integration guides, joint value props
Negotiate partnership structures — referral agreements, reseller terms, technology partnerships, revenue shares
Represent Valence at partner events, industry conferences, and ecosystem meetups
Work 3+ days a week in office in San Francisco
An ideal skill set includes:
3+ years in B2B SaaS sales with at least some experience in channel, alliances, or partner-driven selling
Ability to close direct deals while simultaneously building longer-cycle partner relationships
Existing relationships in the contact center, conversational AI, or sales tech ecosystem are a major plus — Five9, Genesys, NICE, Dialpad, Twilio, LiveKit, or similar
Comfortable being the first person in a role — helping define the partner program, not inheriting one
Enough technical knowledge to articulate how an API integration creates value for a partner's customers
Entrepreneurial mindset — you think about building a channel the way a founder thinks about building a company