Partnership & Growth Director

Dept Agency; London; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading digital agency in London is seeking a Partnership & Growth Director. The successful candidate will set strategic direction for growth in the UKI market, lead business initiatives, and cultivate relationships with key tech partners. A strong background in digital agency roles and exceptional communication skills are essential. This position offers a flexible hybrid working model and a competitive salary based on experience.

Benefits

Flexible working policy

Excellent salary and equal pay policies

Free private healthcare

Pension plan

26 days paid holiday

Learning and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in a digital agency environment.
• Proven ability to lead complex pitches across digital experience.
• Strong understanding of modern tech ecosystems.

Responsibilities

• Set the strategic vision for growth in the UKI market.
• Own and lead strategic new business initiatives.
• Develop relationships with key technology partners.

Skills

Strategic vision setting

Complex pitch leadership

Relationship management

Understanding tech ecosystems

Communication skills

Job description

Partnership & Growth Director UKI

London, hybrid

This position sits in our Experience & Engineering business unit. We primarily deliver large-scale platform & eCommerce design and build projects, combining our skills in developing future-ready technical solutions with our expertise in creating beautiful designs to help our clients. We pride ourselves on delivering exceptional and engaging digital experiences powered by cutting-edge AI, seamlessly integrating innovative technologies to stay at the forefront of digital transformation.

JOB PURPOSE

We’re looking for a strategically-minded, autonomous leader who takes full ownership of growth and partnership initiatives at DEPT. You’ll shape and drive our expansion across commerce, experience, and engineering — proactively identifying and converting new opportunities. This is a high-impact role for someone who thrives on building momentum, creating strategies, and taking the lead without waiting for direction.

Day-to-day, you’ll be working closely with our strategy, delivery, and technology teams to lead and win pitches, build strong relationships with platform partners (like Optimizely, Shopify, and more),

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Set the strategic vision for DEPT’s growth in the UKI market while partnering with senior leadership to shape our go-to-market roadmap and contribute to annual revenue planning
• Own and lead strategic new business initiatives end-to-end, from opportunity identification through to pitch leadership and deal closure
• Drive strategic growth by identifying and nurturing opportunities in commerce, engineering, and digital experience
• Develop and manage relationships with key technology partners (e.g. Shopify, Optimizely, Contentful, Acquia etc.)
• Collaborate with internal teams to scope and position DEPT’s capabilities effectively during pitches and RFPs
• Act as a senior-level connector and catalyst, aligning partners, clients, and internal teams to unlock commercial and strategic value
• Shape go-to-market strategies and partnership campaigns to build DEPT’s presence and authority in the space
• Ensure projects and proposals are aligned with both client needs and technical capabilities
• Maintain a deep understanding of digital platforms and trends, sharing insights with internal and client teams
• Support internal education and enablement related to partnerships, tools, and growth opportunities

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Essential:

• Extensive experience in a digital agency environment, with exposure to both commercial and strategic delivery roles
• Proven ability to lead complex pitches across digital experience, eCommerce, and engineering solutions
• Strong understanding of modern tech ecosystems (headless commerce, CMS, martech platforms, etc.)
• Solid partner management skills, with experience working alongside tech vendors and alliances
• Proven track record of setting strategic direction and turning business vision into executable growth initiatives
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with both internal stakeholders and external clients
• Ability to balance creative, strategic, and technical perspectives in high-stakes environments
• Confident presenter with persuasive storytelling and pitch capabilities
  
  

Nice to Have:

• Experience working client-side or in a hybrid client/agency role
• Familiarity with eCommerce implementation projects and ecosystems
• Existing relationships with major tech platforms (e.g. Shopify, Optimizely,etc.)
• Experience with co-selling or go-to-market activities in partnership with vendors
• Comfortable navigating complex, multi-stakeholder projects across regions

WE OFFER:

• A flexible, hybrid working policy (2 days from the office, depending on location).
• An excellent salary based on experience and equal pay policies
• Pension, free private healthcare, mental health support, and company sick pay scheme.
• 26 days paid holiday (plus UK Bank Holidays).
• Help getting you to work with a season ticket loan and cycle to work scheme.
• Enhanced family friendly policies to support new parents.
• Social and Cultural Events, plenty of opportunities to connect with colleagues through organised activities and celebrations.
• Inspirational Talks, bringing the outside in with regular guest speakers and events.
• Learning and Development, supporting your growth with continuous opportunities to learn and advance.
• Buddy Programme: You will be paired with a ‘Buddy’ to help you through your first weeks’ at DEPT.
• A reputation for doing good. DEPT has been a Certified B Corp since 2021 and named ‘Agency of the Year’ at both The Lovies and The Webby Awards.
• Awesome clients. Whether big or small, local or global — at DEPT you’ll get the opportunity to work with clients of all sizes and across all industries. And we celebrate all of our successes together!
• The opportunity for possibility. We want to enable you to do what you do best and help you develop your skills further with training, development and certifications.
• Global annual DEPT Cares Month in which employees come together and donate their skills to support local charities.

WHO ARE WE?

We are pioneers at heart. What does that mean? We are always looking forward, thinking of what we can create tomorrow that does not exist today. We were born digital and we are a new model of agency, with a deep skillset in tech and marketing. That’s why we hire curious, self-driven, talented people who never stop innovating.

Our culture is big enough to cope and small enough to care. Meaning, that with people across 30+ countries, we’re big enough to provide you with the best tools, global opportunities, and benefits that help you thrive. While acting small by investing in you, your growth, and your team, and giving you the autonomy to solve our client's problems, no matter where you are in the world.

DEPT is committed to making a positive impact on the planet and since 2021 has been Climate Neutral and B Corporation certified.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

At DEPT, we take pride in creating an inclusive workplace where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. We actively seek to recruit, develop, nurture, and retain talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, with varying skills and perspectives.

Not sure you meet all qualifications? Apply, and let us decide! Research shows that women and members of underrepresented groups tend not to apply for jobs when they think they may not meet every requirement, when in fact they do. We believe in giving everyone a fair chance to shine.

We also encourage you to reach out to us and discuss any reasonable adjustments we can make to support you throughout the recruitment process and your time with us.

Want to know more about our dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion? Check out our efforts here.