From passive search to a strategic career move with stronger compensation
Director, Partner Go-to-Market Sales at Pega Systems
Sr. Director, Partner Sales at Databricks
100%
40%
Overview
Derek had built a strong career in tech sales, partnerships and go-to-market leadership. He had spent years helping companies grow revenue through strategic partnerships, but when he started considering what was next, he was not actively running a full search.
He was reviewing inbound opportunities from recruiters, but most did not align with what he wanted professionally or personally. When a strong opportunity surfaced, he wanted to approach it carefully, evaluate it objectively and make sure he was positioned to negotiate well.
The Challenge
Derek was experienced and marketable, but he needed a clearer way to assess whether the opportunity truly matched his goals.
He also realized his compensation was below market value. Without stronger positioning and negotiation support, he risked accepting less than the opportunity was worth.
The Shift
The work focused on preparing Derek for each stage of the process, from interviews to offer evaluation.
He clarified his value, strengthened how he spoke about his experience and approached the opportunity with a clear plan instead of simply reacting to each step.
The Outcome
Derek landed a senior director, partner sales job at Databricks with a 40% compensation increase.
The move gave him a larger job, more visibility, better work-life balance and a company where he felt his contributions were valued.
“Julie helped me understand my value and potential. Through her coaching, I was able to achieve a 10X return on the cost of the service. This was one of the best investments I made in my career.” — Derek R.
How This Result Was Achieved
Derek’s result came from treating the opportunity as a strategic decision, not just an interview process.
With a clear plan, stronger positioning and a more objective view of his market value, he was able to show up well in interviews, evaluate the fit carefully and negotiate from a stronger place.
Clarify the Criteria of the
Next-Level Target
Define what a true step-change looks like—scope, role, and trajectory—not just the next logical move.
Reposition the Leadership Narrative
Translate past experience into a compelling executive story that aligns with higher-level opportunities.
Access Off-Market Opportunities
Target and create conversations with roles that aren’t visible through traditional job search channels.
Convert the
Right Opportunity
Navigate the process strategically to land a role that is not just bigger—but more aligned and energizing.
Ready for your next-level role?
You’ve already built a strong career—but if you’re aiming for a meaningful step up in scope, impact, and compensation, it requires a more strategic approach than a traditional job search. The right opportunities aren’t always visible—but with the right positioning and strategy, they’re absolutely accessible.