Head of Build, Buy Partner Strategy for Business Network

We help the world run better

Our company culture is focused on helping our employees enable innovation by building breakthroughs together. How? We focus every day on building the foundation for tomorrow and creating a workplace that embraces differences, values flexibility, and is aligned to our purpose-driven and future-focused work. We offer a highly collaborative, caring team environment with a strong focus on learning and development, recognition for your individual contributions, and a variety of benefit options for you to choose from. Apply now

SAP Business Network

The global economy has been rapidly evolving from enterprise-centric to network-centric. No enterprise does business alone today. Suppliers, service providers, contract manufacturers, logistics pros – companies today rely heavily on their connections to their extended ecosystem to operate effectively. They need an intelligent and open network that delivers enhanced visibility, greater efficiency, and improved collaboration to achieve supply chain resilience and thrive in the face of disruption.

SAP already "owns" the largest procurement network in the world (Ariba Network) and SAP's global operations and footprint in large enterprises allow us to leverage a network effect with our massive installed base. We will win with our unified strategy, instead of siloed networks, a "best-of-suite" approach – a "network-of-networks" that includes partners and brings together existing best of breed solutions like Asset Intelligence Network, Logistics Business Network and Ariba Networks into a multi-enterprise unified business network.

SAP Business Network has been identified as one of the four strategic growth areas for SAP by the executive board. Our vision is to elevate our intelligent enterprise to the "Network of Intelligent Enterprises". We build on a strong and leading cloud portfolio, together with other innovations, all on top of the SAP Business Technology Platform. In our diverse and globally dispersed team, we are looking for a Head of Build, Buy Partner Strategy who can bring a unique perspective, innovative ideas, and a proven track record of success in strategic partnership management to help us achieve our ambitious goals.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

As the Head of Build, Buy Partner Strategy for SAP Business Network (SBN), you will be responsible for leading and managing the SBN partner strategy. You will work closely with cross-functional teams and partners to understand their needs, identify opportunities for improvement, and develop strategies that drive business goals.

Key responsibilities for the role include:

• Own the product strategy with a specific focus on the build, buy partner strategy.
• Evaluate and select among various capabilities to ensure the most effective partnerships.
• Conduct comprehensive partner assessments to identify potential opportunities.
• Bring M&A experience to the table to identify potential acquisition targets.
• Foster cross-functional collaboration across operations.
• Apply enterprise architecture principles in strategy development.
• Influence without formal authority to guide others towards company goals.
• Implement strategies to retain talent and foster an environment of continuous learning.
• Represent SAP both internally and externally.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, partners, and customers.
• Adapt communication styles to diverse stakeholders and scenarios.
• Adapt to the evolving nature of the role, taking on new responsibilities as they arise.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in business, computer science, engineering, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in software development, with a significant portion in a leadership role.
• Proficiency in SAP product development and understanding of the SAP ecosystem.
• Experience in developing and implementing partner strategies.
• Ability to translate partner needs and market trends into product features.
• Thought leader with the ability to execute from incubation to implementation of products.
• Exceptional problem-solving, decision-making, and strategic planning capabilities.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• In-depth knowledge of customer journeys and product positioning.
• Ability to resolve executive-level issues with minimal impact to business.
• Deep domain knowledge of business network processes and architecture.
• Experience in enterprise architecture and its application in strategy development.
• Experience in conducting partner assessments and engaging in M&A activities.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and influence without formal authority.
• Openness to the evolving nature of the role, with the potential to take on additional responsibilities.

We build breakthroughs together

SAP innovations help more than 400,000 customers worldwide work together more efficiently and use business insight more effectively. Originally known for leadership in enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, SAP has evolved to become a market leader in end-to-end business application software and related services for database, analytics, intelligent technologies, and experience management. As a cloud company with 200 million users and more than 100,000 employees worldwide, we are purpose-driven and future-focused, with a highly collaborative team ethic and commitment to personal development. Whether connecting global industries, people, or platforms, we help ensure every challenge gets the solution it deserves. At SAP, we build breakthroughs, together.

We win with inclusion

SAP's culture of inclusion, focus on health and well-being, and flexible working models help ensure that everyone – regardless of background – feels included and can run at their best. At SAP, we believe we are made stronger by the unique capabilities and qualities that each person brings to our company, and we invest in our employees to inspire confidence and help everyone realize their full potential. We ultimately believe in unleashing all talent and creating a better and more equitable world.

SAP is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to the values of Equal Employment Opportunity and provide accessibility accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you are interested in applying for employment with SAP and are in need of accommodation or special assistance to navigate our website or to complete your application, please send an e-mail with your request to Recruiting Operations Team:

For SAP employees: Only permanent roles are eligible for the SAP Employee Referral Program, according to the eligibility rules set in the SAP Referral Policy. Specific conditions may apply for roles in Vocational Training.

EOE AA M/F/Vet/Disability:

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their age, race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, age, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, et al), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, or disability.

Successful candidates might be required to undergo a background verification with an external vendor.

Requisition ID: | Work Area: Software-Development Operations | Expected Travel: 0 - 10% | Career Status: Executive | Employment Type: Regular Full Time | Additional Locations: #LI-Hybrid.