Head of Partner Operations Enablement

Build a new partner operations function at ILIAS - (Machelen (BE) & Almere (NL))

Build ILIAS's partner delivery ecosystem from the ground up, establishing the partner network, operating model, governance and capabilities needed to create qualified and deployable partner delivery capacity at scale.

Your responsibilities and tasks

• Act as the single accountable owner for building ILIAS's partner delivery ecosystem, owning the operating model, partner readiness framework, governance, enablement priorities and operational delivery authorization.
• Identify, qualify and develop an international network of implementation partners, turning selected partners into qualified, deployable and increasingly independent delivery capacity capable of successfully delivering ILIAS implementations.
• Establish structured partner onboarding and readiness processes, including knowledge transfer, coaching and shadowing, working closely with and in alignment with the Ilias Academy- and Delivery teams.
• Drive partner activation and performance, introducing KPIs and governance routines to monitor partner capacity, utilization, delivery quality and progress towards ILIAS's partner delivery ambitions.
• Develop sustainable partnership models in collaboration with Delivery, Product Management, Product Engineering, Commercial and Finance, building partner economics and engagement with ILIAS's quality and delivery requirements.
• Build and progressively develop the Partner Operations function, establishing the necessary capabilities, resources and ways of working as the partner ecosystem and volume of partner-delivered work grow.

Your background and experience

• Experience in an international B2B software, enterprise software, IT services or professional services environment, with a good understanding of software implementation and complex project delivery.
• Experience operating in regulated, security-sensitive or mission-critical environments is strongly preferred. Defense sector experience is considered an advantage.
• Proven experience building, developing or managing partner ecosystems, partner operations or service delivery networks, including partner qualification, onboarding, enablement, governance and performance management.
• Experience developing scalable partner-led implementation or service delivery models and building effective relationships with implementation partners.
• Proven ability to work closely with Delivery and Academy teams, align priorities, share expertise and foster strong collaboration to ensure implementation partners are well prepared and supported to deliver successfully.
• A hands-on leader with demonstrated ability to build a new function or operating model from the ground up, develop teams, navigate competing priorities and collaborate across functions to achieve shared business objectives.
• Demonstrated entrepreneurial drive and the ability to build and scale an operational function from the ground up, mobilizing stakeholders without formal authority, balancing competing interests, and translating strategic ambition into tangible, measurable outcomes.
• Master's degree preferred, ideally in Business Administration, Management, Engineering, IT or a related field.
• Fluent in English. Knowledge of Dutch and additional European languages is an advantage. Willingness and ability to travel internationally on a regular basis is a must-have.

About the company

ILIAS Solutions is a fast-growing international defense software company with approximately 250 employees and €80 million in revenue. Part of the Finnish Patria Group, ILIAS develops and implements mission-critical Enterprise Asset Management (EAM/ERP) software supporting military logistics, asset management and operational readiness across air, land and naval forces worldwide.

As ILIAS enters a new phase of growth, with increasingly complex and international implementation programs, the company is further developing its organization, processes and delivery capabilities to support sustainable growth and consistently high-quality delivery.

A key part of this ambition is the professionalization and expansion of its international partner ecosystem. By establishing a structured and scalable approach to working with external implementation partners, ILIAS aims to increase delivery capacity and support international growth without relying exclusively on expanding its internal teams.