[Hiring] Strategic Partnership Manager @NECSWS

Role Description

NECSWS is looking for a Strategic Partnership Manager to identify, develop, and manage high-value strategic partnerships both in the UK and internally that support the organisation's growth objectives, market expansion, innovation agenda, and commercial success. The role builds and nurtures relationships with key stakeholders, partners, industry bodies, and customers to create mutually beneficial opportunities that deliver measurable business outcomes. The postholder will act as a trusted advisor to both internal and external stakeholders, ensuring partnerships align with the organisation's strategic goals and deliver sustainable value.

Key Responsibilities

• Partnership Strategy & Development
  • Develop and implement a strategic partnership framework aligned with organisational objectives.
  • Identify new partnership opportunities that support revenue growth, service enhancement, market expansion, and innovation.
  • Build a pipeline of potential partners across public, private, and third-sector organisations.
  • Conduct market research and competitor analysis to identify emerging partnership opportunities.
• Relationship Management
  • Establish and maintain strong executive-level relationships with key partners.
  • Act as the primary point of contact for partnerships.
  • Foster trust, collaboration, and long-term engagement with partner organisations.
  • Resolve issues proactively to protect and strengthen partner relationships.
• Commercial & Business Growth
  • Negotiate partnership agreements, memoranda of understanding, and commercial arrangements.
  • Work with legal, procurement, and finance teams to ensure contractual compliance.
  • Identify joint growth opportunities, co-created solutions, and collaborative business initiatives.
  • Support bid development, tender responses, and joint go-to-market activities where appropriate.
  • Track and report on commercial outcomes generated through partnerships.
• Stakeholder Engagement
  • Collaborate with senior leaders to align partnership activities with organisational priorities.
  • Engage internal teams across operations, technology, marketing, product development, and customer success.
  • Represent the organisation at industry events, conferences, and networking forums.
  • Promote the organisation's strategic vision and capabilities to external stakeholders.
• Performance & Governance
  • Establish partnership success measures and performance indicators.
  • Monitor partnership effectiveness and generate regular performance reports.
  • Present updates and recommendations to senior leadership teams.

Key Accountabilities

• Delivery of partnership growth objectives.
• Development of a sustainable strategic partnership pipeline.
• Achievement of revenue, market growth, or programme objectives linked to partnerships.
• Partner satisfaction and retention.
• Effective management of partnership governance and contractual commitments.
• Identification and delivery of innovative collaboration opportunities.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in partnership management, business development, account management, or strategic alliances.
• Proven track record of developing and managing successful strategic partnerships.
• Strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills.
• Experience engaging and influencing senior stakeholders and executives.
• Ability to build compelling business cases and strategic proposals.
• Excellent relationship management and networking skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Experience managing complex cross-functional initiatives.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.

Requirements

• Experience within healthcare, technology, public sector, digital transformation, or professional services environments.
• Understanding of procurement and tender processes.
• Experience working with strategic frameworks and governance models.
• Knowledge of partnership performance measurement and value realisation.

Benefits

• Private Medical Cover funded by NEC for Employees (with the option to add family members at an additional cost).
• 25 days paid holiday with the option to buy/sell.
• 4 x basic salary life assurance cover funded by NEC (with the option to increase cover at an additional cost).
• A Group Pension Plan with fantastic employer contributions up to a maximum of 8.5%.
• A fantastic selection of flexible benefits to suit your individual needs.
• Employee assistance programme which can help in every area of your life.
• Free access to LinkedIn Learning with over 15,000 courses covering a huge breadth of subjects.