About Canonical

Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu Linux, stands at the forefront of open source software innovation. As a leading provider of operating systems and enterprise solutions, Canonical powers breakthrough initiatives in public cloud, data science, AI, engineering, and IoT. Ubuntu, our flagship platform, is trusted by the world's top public cloud and silicon providers, as well as industry leaders across sectors. With over 1200 colleagues spanning more than 80 countries, Canonical pioneers global distributed collaboration. The company remains founder-led, profitable, and experiencing robust growth, emphasizing a remote-first culture where teams align through strategic in-person meetings in captivating global locations two to four times annually.

Role Overview

The Global Head of Cloud Alliances role at Canonical is a pivotal leadership position reporting to the VP of Global Alliances. This home-based position in the Americas offers the opportunity to spearhead business development and partnerships with major global public clouds. As the publisher of Ubuntu, Canonical is already a trusted partner for guest OS and select services among hyperscalers. You'll lead efforts to expand our open source portfolio on cloud marketplaces, fostering joint go-to-market strategies, technical collaborations, and revenue growth. Own the full spectrum of sell-to, sell-through, and sell-with motions, while promoting cloud initiatives through campaigns, events, and strategic opportunities.

Why This Role Matters

In this position, you'll build trusted relationships from engineering to executive levels, increasing Canonical's market share in the cloud ISV ecosystem and developing robust cloud channel sales. It's an autonomous role demanding strategic vision, execution excellence, and a passion for open source technologies like Ubuntu.

Key Responsibilities

Take full ownership of Canonical's global cloud partner strategy. This includes forecasting, driving bookings, and scaling revenue worldwide. Build strong cross-functional relationships across engineering, product management, marketing, and sales to ensure seamless technology and market execution. Inspire and guide teams toward accelerated revenue growth, continually refining strategies for cloud partners. Establish and nurture executive-level relationships with key hyperscalers, laying foundations for long-term mutual success. Steer offerings from concept to execution, aligning product management and marketing while scaling through our global sales organization.

Qualifications & Requirements

We seek candidates with an exceptional academic track record from high school and university, including an undergraduate degree in a technical subject. Demonstrate confidence in speaking up, exchanging feedback, and sharing ideas. Show a proven track record of exceeding expectations to deliver outstanding results, coupled with strong leadership and commitment to skills development and mentorship. Passion for technology should be evident through personal projects. Excel in leadership, presentation skills, and data-driven narratives to energize teams and stakeholders. Possess excellent interpersonal skills, curiosity, flexibility, accountability, and appreciation for diversity in a multicultural environment. Be result-oriented, self-motivated, and able to travel internationally twice yearly for up to two-week company events. Crucially, bring an in-depth understanding of open source technologies, Ubuntu, and the competitive ecosystem to spot unique opportunities. Nice-to-haves include experience in alliance and indirect sales management, public cloud sector knowledge, and Linux expertise (Debian or Ubuntu preferred).

Benefits & Perks

Canonical offers a compelling package for this senior role. Enjoy fully remote work from anywhere in the Americas, aligning with our distributed model. Collaborate with a motivated global team, participating in inspiring in-person summits worldwide. Benefit from a founder-led, profitable company's stability and growth trajectory. Access competitive compensation reflective of tech sector leadership rates, plus opportunities for professional development in open source and cloud domains. Embrace a culture valuing work ethic, innovation, and work-life balance in a truly global setting.

Career Growth

At Canonical, career progression is driven by merit and impact. As Global Head of Cloud Alliances, you'll shape enterprise open source strategy, gaining visibility with executives and hyperscalers. Mentorship opportunities abound, fostering leadership in a high-growth environment. Expand your expertise in Ubuntu, public cloud partnerships, and global sales, positioning you for VP-level advancement in a company committed to skills development and innovation.

Why Join Canonical

Join Canonical to contribute to Ubuntu's dominance in open source and cloud computing. Work on transformative projects with leading tech giants, in a remote-first culture that prioritizes results over location. Be part of a profitable, growing enterprise where your strategic alliances directly fuel worldwide revenue. Experience the thrill of distributed collaboration across 80+ countries, with periodic global meetups enhancing team synergy and inspiration.

Role FAQs

Q: Is this role fully remote? Yes, home-based anywhere in the Americas, with occasional international travel for company events.

Q: What experience level is required? Senior leadership in alliances, preferably with public cloud and open source background.

Q: How does Canonical support professional growth? Through mentorship, skills development, and exposure to global partnerships.

Q: What's the company culture like? Remote-first, diverse, result-oriented, with a focus on open source innovation and collaboration.

Q: Why focus on cloud alliances? To expand Ubuntu's footprint on hyperscaler platforms, driving enterprise adoption and revenue.