Strategic Partner Manager

activpayroll; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading human resources services provider in the United Kingdom is seeking an experienced Strategic Partner Manager to enhance partnerships and drive operational excellence. In this role, you'll be the main contact for key partners, overseeing relationship management, driving revenue via joint initiatives, and supporting strategic projects. The ideal candidate possesses strong relationship-building skills and a strategic mindset, thriving in a fast-paced environment. This position offers a contract employment type with a focus on business development.

Qualifications

• Exceptional relationship‑building skills.
• Clear and confident communication skills.
• Analytical and data‑driven mindset.
• Highly organised and detail‑oriented.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of mid‑tier partners.
• Conduct regular QBRs and monthly reviews.
• Build and maintain partner scorecards.
• Track pipeline and forecast partner revenue.

Skills

Relationship-building skills

Clear communication skills

Strategic thinking

Commercial awareness

Analytical skills

Organisational skills

Adaptability

Problem-solving

Team collaboration

Ownership mindset

Job description

Join to apply for the Strategic Partner Manager role at activpayroll.

Description

We’re looking for a Strategic Partner Manager (SPM) to join our dynamic Partnerships team and support the Head of Partnerships. This role is pivotal in driving operational excellence, nurturing strong partner relationships, and unlocking growth opportunities. As the day-to-day contact for assigned partners, you’ll ensure partnership health and performance are consistently optimised.

In this role, you’ll strengthen partner relationships through consistent communication and performance management, while driving revenue and engagement via joint business planning and targeted growth initiatives. You’ll work to improve partner operations by resolving issues, removing blockers, and aligning cross‑functional teams to deliver seamless execution. Additionally, you’ll support strategic initiatives led by the Head of Partnerships, such as market expansion, new channel development, and product alignment, and provide data‑driven insights that inform partner strategy and portfolio decisions.

On a typical day, you’ll

• Manage a portfolio of mid‑tier or growth‑tier partners as their primary contact.
• Conduct regular QBRs, monthly reviews, and ongoing partner touchpoints.
• Build and maintain partner scorecards to track performance, risks, and opportunities.
• Support execution of joint go‑to‑market campaigns and co‑marketing initiatives.
• Identify cross‑sell and upsell opportunities to drive revenue growth.
• Track pipeline and forecast partner‑sourced revenue accurately.
• Resolve partner issues by coordinating with internal teams and removing blockers.
• Standardise communications, reporting, and improve onboarding processes.
• Prepare briefs, data, and materials for partner meetings you lead.
• Assist with strategic projects such as regional expansion into APAC.

Success in this role is measured through

• Partner‑generated revenue – for example monthly or quarterly targets
• Pipeline growth sourced or influenced by partners
• Partner activation and adoption KPI's

Attributes that make a candidate brilliant in this role

• Exceptional relationship‑building skills and the ability to foster trust and collaboration with partners and internal teams.
• Clear and confident communication skills, skilled at influencing and presenting ideas effectively.
• Strategic thinker with strong execution who balances long‑term vision with day‑to‑day delivery.
• Commercially savvy, understanding revenue drivers and identifying growth opportunities.
• Analytical and data‑driven, using insights to inform decisions with the goal to optimise performance.
• Highly organised and detail‑oriented, managing multiple priorities without losing focus.
• Adaptable, resilient, and thriving in fast‑paced environments, pivoting quickly when priorities shift.
• Proactive problem solver who anticipates challenges and removes blockers before they escalate.
• Collaborative team player who works seamlessly across functions to achieve shared goals.
• Ownership mindset, taking accountability and delivering measurable impact.

Job Details

• Senior level: Mid‑Senior level
• Employment type: Contract
• Job function: Business Development and Sales
• Industry: Human Resources Services
• Department: Sales
• Location: United Kingdom