Partnership Manager

Sodexo; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sodexo retirement plan

Discounts to over 1,900 brands

Gym discount

Employee assistance programme

Job summary

Sodexo in the Schools & Universities segment is seeking a Partnership Manager to protect and grow existing client partnerships. You will lead retention, major re-tenders and organic growth, building trusted relationships with clients and stakeholders while delivering profitable solutions.

You will work with Sales Directors, Operations and finance to craft compelling, commercially viable bids, extend services, and ensure high-quality submissions.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in retaining and growing complex client contracts.
• Strong experience managing re-tenders, bids and proposals.
• Ability to influence senior decision-makers and maintain key stakeholder relationships.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver a strategic retention plan with a three-year pipeline.
• Lead major re-tenders and retention bids from strategy to submission.
• Build strong relationships with clients, sector stakeholders and influencers.
• Develop commercially viable solutions differentiating Sodexo from competitors.
• Take responsibility for formal tender responses and on-time submissions.
• Collaborate with Operations, Finance and other teams to deliver strong client solutions.
• Identify opportunities to grow revenue within existing partnerships.
• Ensure bids meet governance and profitability targets.
• Capture feedback to improve future retention strategies.
• Maintain accurate CRM records and retention pipeline.
• Ensure smooth handover of bids into mobilisation.
• Support wider new business opportunities within Schools & Universities.

Skills

Client relationship management

Bid management

Business development

Strategic account management

Negotiation

Tools

CRM tools

Job description

Partnership Manager, you'll play a key role in protecting and growing our existing client partnerships across the Schools & Universities segment. Working closely with the Sales Director and operational teams, you'll lead our approach to client retention, major re-tenders and organic growth opportunities. You'll build strong, trusted relationships with clients and key stakeholders, developing compelling solutions that respond to their needs while delivering sustainable and profitable growth. This is a highly collaborative and commercially focused role, ideal for someone who combines strong client relationship management with bid, retention and business development expertise. This is an opportunity to take a strategic role in strengthening some of our most important client partnerships. You'll have the scope to influence retention strategy, shape innovative solutions and work with senior stakeholders across the business to deliver long‑term, profitable growth.

What you will do

• Develop and deliver a strategic retention plan for existing clients, creating a strong three‑year pipeline of upcoming opportunities and key milestones.
• Lead major re‑tenders and retention bids from initial strategy and solution development through to submission and handover.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, sector stakeholders and influencers, strengthening long‑term partnerships and identifying opportunities for growth.
• Develop compelling, commercially viable solutions that respond to client and consumer needs while clearly differentiating our proposition from competitors.
• Take overall responsibility for formal tender responses, ensuring submissions are high quality, persuasive and delivered on time.
• Work collaboratively with Operations, Finance, Commercial, Legal, Marketing, Food Development and other specialist teams to bring together the strongest possible client solution.
• Identify opportunities to grow revenue and expand service delivery within existing client partnerships.
• Ensure bids and retention activity meet commercial expectations and adhere to governance, risk and internal approval processes.
• Capture feedback following bids and re‑tenders, using insights to strengthen future retention strategies and improve our approach.
• Maintain accurate CRM records, reporting and retention pipeline activity.
• Ensure a smooth handover of successful bids into mobilisation and ongoing operational delivery.
• Where required, support wider new business opportunities across the Schools & Universities segment.

We're looking for an experienced commercial professional with a strong background in client retention, business development, sales or strategic account management.

You’ll bring:

• Proven experience of successfully retaining and growing complex client contracts.
• Strong experience of managing re‑tenders, bids and proposal development, ideally within a multi‑service environment.
• A track record of developing senior‑level client relationships and influencing key decision‑makers.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen, with the ability to balance client requirements with revenue and profitability objectives.
• Excellent negotiation, communication and presentation skills.
• The confidence to work with and influence senior stakeholders across multiple functions.
• Experience of identifying organic growth opportunities and expanding services within existing accounts.
• Strong organisational and project management skills, with the ability to coordinate complex bids involving multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
• Experience working across multi‑site, multi‑service and multi‑stakeholder environments.
• A proactive, energetic and results‑focused approach, with the confidence to take ownership and drive opportunities forward.

At Sodexo, our purpose is to create a better everyday for everyone to build a better life for all. As the global leader in services that improve the Quality of Life, we operate in 55 countries, serving over 100 million consumers each day through our unique combination of On‑Site Food and FM Services, Benefits & Rewards Services and Personal & Home Services.

We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities, and we celebrate diversity. We’re an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be natural, and be the best versions of themselves. We recognise that we’re on a journey with regards to diversity and inclusion and would therefore welcome applications for candidates from underrepresented backgrounds.

Competitive Salary plus benefits. Working with Sodexo is more than a job; it's a chance to be part of something greater. You'll belong in a company and team that values you for you; you'll act with purpose and have an impact through your everyday actions; and you'll be able to thrive in your own way. In addition, we offer 20+ Sodexo benefits such as Sodexo retirement plan, discounts to over 1,900 brands to shop online, Gym discount to maintain a healthy lifestyle, a confidential 24/7 employee assistance programme providing independent support to overcome whenever life has its obstacles including emotional support, legal and financial advice. For further details regarding our Sodexo benefits please see attached.