At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and grow partnerships across exciting categories like kids, pets, and gifting.
- Company: Join Blue Light Card, a mission-driven team making heroes happy with amazing discounts.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days leave, hybrid working, personal growth fund, and private medical insurance.
- Other info: Flexible hours, relaxed dress code, and a vibrant office culture await you!
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving commercial success and leading a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: Experience in partnerships or account management with strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.
The Partnerships Team at Blue Light Card exists to build and grow the relationships that make our discount offering genuinely valuable, connecting our members with the brands and deals that matter to them. As we scale, our category strategy is becoming increasingly central to how we grow: this is where commercial rigour meets member experience. The Category Lead sits at the heart of that.
You'll take full ownership of commercial performance across kids, pets, adult, gifting and subscriptions categories with significant headroom for growth, both at BLC and in the wider retail market. Working closely with your Head of Partnerships and Commercial Director, you'll set the direction for your categories, develop and lead a team of Partner Managers, Partner Performance Managers and Partner Acquisition Managers, and personally own the most complex partner relationships and new business opportunities. This is also a cross-functional role. Alongside your category work, you'll lead at least one strategic project that drives meaningful change across the wider business, building relationships with senior stakeholders and positioning the partnerships function as a strategic contributor, not just a delivery team.
What You'll Do
- Own full commercial performance across your categories, using revenue and retail media as your north star metrics and taking accountability for outcomes, forecasting and pipeline visibility.
- Set and evolve category strategy by drawing on data, consumer insight and market awareness to identify growth opportunities, evaluate commercial trade-offs and shape the partner proposition.
- Lead, coach and develop a team of Partner Managers, holding them accountable for their objectives while building their capability as independent strategic thinkers through ongoing feedback and support.
- Personally own senior-level commercial negotiations with top-tier partners, securing mutually beneficial outcomes that deliver lasting value for members.
- Drive new business by taking ownership of top-tier acquisition opportunities from identification through to close, keeping senior stakeholders regularly informed on pipeline progress.
- Lead at least one cross-functional strategic project from initiation to delivery, collaborating across departments and using commercial judgement and influence to shape decisions.
- Champion omnichannel growth across your categories, expanding partner activity beyond online and supporting integrated campaigns across key trading events including Black Friday and seasonal peaks.
- Use performance data proactively to identify risks and opportunities, adapting category strategies to maximise future growth as market conditions shift.
What You'll Bring
- A background in partnership, account management or commercial roles within a retail, marketplace, ecommerce, affiliate or technology environment, with clear evidence of owning commercial outcomes at a senior level.
- Proven experience leading and developing a team, with a track record of building high-performing cultures and coaching others to grow into more independent, strategic thinkers.
- Strong commercial judgement, including experience leading complex negotiations and shaping deals that balance member value with business performance metrics.
- A strategic mindset with the ability to think across categories, identify emerging opportunities, and influence how the wider business responds to them.
- Experience owning or playing a leading role in cross-functional projects, with the ability to align and influence stakeholders across multiple teams.
- High data literacy, with confidence using performance metrics and consumer insight to drive strategy and inform commercial decisions.
- Experience with omnichannel commercial strategy or retail media would be a bonus, but is not essential.
Our Culture
Our mission is simple: make heroes happy. Our members are real-life heroes who keep us all safe, cared for, and thriving. It's what gets us up in the morning, what makes us want to think bigger, and create something that truly matters. By focusing on their happiness, we create amazing experiences, deliver unrivalled discounts, innovative products, and world-class service. We don't just follow the usual path - we look for smarter, bolder ways to deliver real impact. We take ownership, move fast, and work shoulder to shoulder to build something special. We promote hybrid working, and value in-person collaboration so encourage time in our offices - either the HQ in Leicestershire, or London, Holborn office. The frequency and office location will vary depending on the role and team. We aim to be flexible, but we aren't able to offer fully remote working. Blue Light Card is an equal opportunities employer. We're committed to building a diverse and inclusive team where different perspectives and experiences help us grow, innovate, and better reflect the communities we serve. We make recruiting decisions based on your experience and skills. In the event of a high number of applications, we'll prioritise candidates who meet both the essential and desirable criteria for the role.
What We Offer
- 25 days annual leave plus public holidays and an additional day off for your birthday.
- A Moments that Matter day - one extra day of leave each year to use for something that matters to you.
- Buy and sell holiday scheme of up to 5 days.
- A volunteering/fundraising day - one paid day each year to give something back to the community.
- Annual company bonus scheme - linked to both company and individual performance.
- Your own Blue Light Card and exclusive access to thousands of discounts.
- Personal growth fund of 450 per year to invest in your development.
- Private Medical Insurance that includes cover for pre-existing conditions.
- Auto-enrolment pension scheme via salary sacrifice, with 100% of employer NI savings reinvested into your pension.
- Enhanced Maternity, Partner, Adoption and Shared Parental Leave.
- Healthcare cash-back plan.
- Colleague Assistance Programme - 24/7 confidential support whenever you need it.
- Hybrid working and flexible hours.
- EV charging and free parking onsite at HQ.
- Relaxed dress code and modern office space (games area, chill-out areas, book club, free drinks and well stocked snack drawers!).
- On-site gym including free HIIT and stretch classes at HQ.
Category Lead - hybrid in Ratby employer: Blue Light Card
At Blue Light Card, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions the happiness of our members and employees alike. Our vibrant work culture fosters collaboration and innovation, with a strong emphasis on personal growth through a dedicated development fund and flexible working arrangements. Located in Leicestershire or London, we offer a range of benefits including generous annual leave, private medical insurance, and a supportive environment that values diversity and inclusion.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Lead - hybrid in Ratby
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Category Lead - hybrid at Blue Light Card!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like Blue Light Card or be willing to refer you for that Category Lead - hybrid position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from Blue Light Card who’s on the lookout for their next Category Lead - hybrid star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Category Lead - hybrid role at Blue Light Card!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Lead - hybrid in Ratby
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at Blue Light Card. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Blue Light Card
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
✨Know Your Numbers
Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at Blue Light Card. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!
