Marketing Development Fund (MDF) Manager

The Marketing Development Fund (MDF) Manager is responsible for the execution and oversight of the company’s Marketing MDF program. This critical role ensures that funds allocated to our channel partners are used effectively, compliantly, and in alignment with overall company sales goals and ROI targets. The manager will serve as the primary point of contact for channel partners regarding fund requests, proof-of-performance claims, and program guidelines, driving high-impact, revenue-generating activities within the channel and applying sound judgment to resolve moderately complex issues with minimal supervision.

What you will do:

Program Strategy & Design

• Design and maintain the global or regional MDF program structure, policies, and guidelines, ensuring alignment with partner tiers, strategic objectives, and budget allocations.
• Establish annual/quarterly MDF budgets, track accruals, and develop forecasting models in partnership with the Finance team.
• Develop and document clear, concise partner-facing MDF guides, eligible activities, claim processes, and reporting requirements.

Fund Management & Execution

• Manage the end-to-end MDF lifecycle, from proposal submission and review to approval, execution, claims submission, and payment processing.
• Review and approve partner MDF proposals and marketing plans, ensuring activities are measurable, meet eligibility criteria, and adhere to brand standards.
• Administer the MDF management platform (E2Open), ensuring data integrity, system functionality, and user accessibility for partners and internal teams.

Financial Oversight & Analysis

• Monitor and track MDF utilization, spending velocity, and accruals against budget, generating regular compliance and spend reports for channel leadership.
• Analyze the Return on Investment (ROI) and effectiveness of funded activities, providing data-driven recommendations to optimize future spending and program design.
• Ensure strict financial compliance, maintaining comprehensive audit trails (Proof of Execution/POE) for all fund disbursements.

Partner & Internal Enablement

• Collaborate closely with Global Partner Marketing Managers and Regional Partner Marketing teams to promote the MDF program and educate partners on strategic ways to utilize funds for co-marketing activities (e.g., events, demand generation campaigns, sales enablement).
• Serve as the MDF expert and main point of contact, resolving partner and internal inquiries regarding program rules, funding status, and claim reconciliation.

What you will bring:

• Experience: 3+ years of experience in channel marketing, partner program management, or financial program administration, with direct experience managing a Market Development Fund (MDF) or Co-op fund program.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Finance, or a related field.
• Financial Acumen: Strong understanding of budgeting, forecasting, and calculating marketing ROI.

Essential Skills

• Program Management: Exceptional organizational skills and a proven ability to manage complex, multi-stage programs with high attention to detail and deadlines.
• System Proficiency: Demonstrated experience working with and administrating E2Open system; proficiency in Salesforce is a must.
• Compliance & Audit: A meticulous approach to process, ensuring strict adherence to financial controls, legal requirements, and audit standards.
• Communication & Collaboration: Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively educate and influence both internal stakeholders (Finance, Sales) and external channel partners.
• Analytical Thinking: Ability to synthesize spending data into clear, actionable insights and strategic recommendations.

Pay Transparency

Red Hat determines compensation based on several factors including but not limited to job location, experience, applicable skills and training, external market value, and internal pay equity. Annual salary is one component of Red Hat’s compensation package. This position may also be eligible for bonus, commission, and/or equity. For positions with Remote-US locations, the actual salary range for the position may differ based on location but will be commensurate with job duties and relevant work experience. 

About Red Hat

Red Hat is the world’s leading provider of enterprise open source software solutions, using a community-powered approach to deliver high-performing Linux, cloud, container, and Kubernetes technologies. Spread across 40+ countries, our associates work flexibly across work environments, from in-office, to office-flex, to fully remote, depending on the requirements of their role. Red Hatters are encouraged to bring their best ideas, no matter their title or tenure. We're a leader in open source because of our open and inclusive environment. We hire creative, passionate people ready to contribute their ideas, help solve complex problems, and make an impact.

Benefits
●    Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
●    Flexible Spending Account - healthcare and dependent care
●    Health Savings Account - high deductible medical plan
●    Retirement 401(k) with employer match
●    Paid time off and holidays
●    Paid parental leave plans for all new parents
●    Leave benefits including disability, paid family medical leave, and paid military leave
●    Additional benefits including employee stock purchase plan, family planning reimbursement, tuition reimbursement, transportation expense account, employee assistance program, and more! 

Note: These benefits are only applicable to full time, permanent associates at Red Hat located in the United States. 

Inclusion at Red Hat
Red Hat’s culture is built on the open source principles of transparency, collaboration, and inclusion, where the best ideas can come from anywhere and anyone. When this is realized, it empowers people from different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences to come together to share ideas, challenge the status quo, and drive innovation. Our aspiration is that everyone experiences this culture with equal opportunity and access, and that all voices are not only heard but also celebrated. We hope you will join our celebration, and we welcome and encourage applicants from all the beautiful dimensions that compose our global village.

Equal Opportunity Policy (EEO)
Red Hat is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and an affirmative action employer. We review applications for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, veteran status, genetic information, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, or any other basis prohibited by law.