Strategic Partner Operations Manager

KP Law; Manchester; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

KP Law is seeking an experienced Third-Party Client Operations Manager to shape how we work with external partners supporting client operations and our growth plans. You will operate across multiple functions, building scalable frameworks and practical processes for selecting, onboarding, governing and improving third-party partners.

You do not need experience in a law firm; candidates from professional services and regulated environments are welcome.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in third-party management, outsourcing, procurement or service management within regulated environments.
• Experience managing the full partner lifecycle from market assessment to onboarding, performance management and exit.
• Strong commercial judgement including pricing and business case evaluation.

Responsibilities

• Translate operational needs into clear partner requirements, service standards and commercial expectations.
• Research, assess and recommend prospective partners based on capability, cost, scalability, financial sustainability, cultural fit and risk.
• Coordinate due diligence and ensure contractual, regulatory, data, technology and operational requirements are met before go-live.
• Lead contracting, onboarding and transition activity from selection through to stable operation.
• Establish meaningful KPIs, management information, governance forums and escalation routes.
• Manage partner performance, cost, capacity, risk and service improvement throughout the contract lifecycle.
• Lead the response to underperformance and incidents, ensuring root-cause analysis and corrective action.
• Oversee renewals, renegotiations, re-tenders and exits while protecting client outcomes and service continuity.

Skills

Third-party management

Outsourcing

Procurement

Contract negotiation

Risk management

Job description

KP Law is seeking an experienced Third-Party Client Operations Manager to shape how we work with external partners supporting client operations and our growth plans. You will operate across multiple functions, building scalable frameworks and practical processes for selecting, onboarding, governing and improving third-party partners.

You do not need experience in a law firm; candidates from professional services and regulated environments are welcome.