Will Rhodes

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

SKILLS

ABOUT WILL RHODES

My aim is simple: help our partners succeed — because their success drives Ciena’s success.I lead partner engagement across EMEA, working with our full ecosystem including Carrier Managed Service (CMS) providers, Value Added Resellers (VARs), Solution Providers, Distributors, Systems Integrators, and Alliance partners.I help partners simplify how they go to market with Ciena and, ultimately, make money from the partnership. That means working closely with partners to bring new services to market that drive both top- and bottom-line growth.I leverage market insight and account-level intelligence to help partners identify where to play and how to win — defining addressable markets, understanding the competitive landscape, and shaping compelling business cases with clear ROI.In partnership with the service provider or partner, I help identify use cases, unique value propositions, and target customers, then translate this into practical, executable go-to-market plans.I work closely with partner Sales and Sales Engineering leadership teams to design and roll out sales enablement programs and training, and I collaborate with marketing stakeholders to build targeted campaigns that generate real demand and pipeline.I’m passionate about helping partners differentiate their offerings, move beyond price-led competition, and clearly articulate the value they bring to customers — with Ciena as a trusted technology and GTM partner.Outside of work, I have a young family which keeps me busy and entertained. I love to travel and have a real passion for food — trying new cuisines, ingredients, and restaurants whenever I can. I’m a keen scuba diver and enjoy watching rugby and cricket when time allows.