At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic partnerships from start to finish, driving growth and performance.
- Company: Join Carmoola, a fast-growing fintech revolutionising car finance.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and a pivotal role in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a high-stakes role with ownership and accountability.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in commercial strategy or partnerships, strong data analysis skills.
- Other info: Work closely with senior leadership in a vibrant London office.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 88000 £ per year.
Join the Revolution in Car Finance
At Carmoola, we're changing the way people get on the road - making it faster, fairer, and entirely built around the customer. We've started with car finance, reimagining it from the ground up with a seamless, digital experience that puts drivers in control.
Location: London (Hybrid)
Type: Full-time
Your Mission
You’ll own Carmoola's strategic partnerships end-to-end — from defining which partners to pursue, to signing commercial agreements, to making sure those partnerships perform. This is a senior, high-impact role with real ownership. You’ll work closely with the CEO and senior leadership, build deep external relationships, and be directly accountable for results.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Own the end-to-end lifecycle of strategic partnerships, from analytical prioritisation and partner selection through to launch, optimisation, and scale.
- Proactively source and evaluate new partners, building a high-quality pipeline grounded in clear hypotheses and data-driven opportunity sizing.
- Lead commercial and contract negotiations, owning partner economics and the commercial and operating model required to deliver sustainable, high-quality growth.
- Own performance across all live partnerships, including our existing comparison site and broker partnerships, as well as newly launched strategic distribution partnerships.
- Set and own volume forecasts and targets by partner, actively managing performance across volume, conversion, unit economics, and credit quality.
- Use data extensively to understand partner performance, identify drivers of success or underperformance, and inform optimisation decisions.
- Refine and evolve the partnerships strategy based on performance trends, credit outcomes, and market learnings.
- Work cross-functionally to ensure partnerships are launched smoothly and operate effectively against agreed expectations.
- Present clear, insight-led updates on partnership performance at monthly trading meetings, including results vs plan, key learnings, and recommended actions.
Requirements
What You’ll Bring
- 8+ years' experience in analytically driven commercial strategy or partnerships roles within a lending or consumer credit business (e.g. cards, personal loans, auto finance, BNPL).
- Strong grounding in data analysis, with hands-on experience using SQL to interrogate performance, funnels, cohorts, and credit outcomes.
- Proven ability to translate analysis into commercial decisions, partner strategy, and clear recommendations.
- Solid understanding of lending economics, including the trade-offs between growth, profitability, and credit quality.
- Commercial confidence to lead partner negotiations, build strong relationships, and manage senior stakeholders.
- Structured, rigorous thinker who enjoys getting into the detail and owning outcomes.
- Comfortable operating with high accountability in a fast-moving environment.
Benefits
Why Join Carmoola?
- Competitive salary: £90k-£110k per annum depending on experience.
- Hybrid working: 3 days a week in our London office, in the heart of beautiful Primrose Hill.
- The chance to play a pivotal role inside a fast-growing fintech during a meaningful stage of its journey.
If this sounds like your kind of challenge, let's talk.
Head of Strategic Partnerships in London employer: Carmoola
Contact Detail:
Carmoola Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Strategic Partnerships in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential partners on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your analytical skills! When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers, be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in past roles. They’ll love hearing about your hands-on experience with SQL and performance analysis.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky negotiations! Brush up on your commercial strategy knowledge and think of examples where you've successfully led negotiations. This will show you're ready to take ownership of partnerships right from the start.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Carmoola revolution!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Strategic Partnerships in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of Strategic Partnerships role. Highlight your experience in partnerships and data analysis, and show us how you can bring value to Carmoola's mission.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since this role is all about data-driven decisions, don’t forget to mention your hands-on experience with SQL and how you've used data to drive commercial strategies in the past. We love numbers!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use bullet points where possible and make sure your key achievements stand out. We appreciate clarity and directness!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Let’s get started on this journey together!
How to prepare for a job interview at Carmoola
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Head of Strategic Partnerships, you'll need to demonstrate your analytical prowess. Brush up on key metrics related to partnerships, lending economics, and performance indicators. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in past roles.
✨Master the Art of Negotiation
Since you'll be leading commercial negotiations, it's crucial to showcase your negotiation skills. Prepare examples of successful deals you've closed, focusing on how you balanced partner needs with business objectives. Practice articulating your approach to achieving win-win outcomes.
✨Build Relationships Before the Interview
Carmoola values strong external relationships, so consider reaching out to current or former employees on LinkedIn. This can give you insights into the company culture and expectations, which will help you tailor your responses during the interview.
✨Prepare Insightful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street. Prepare thoughtful questions that show your understanding of Carmoola's mission and challenges. Ask about their current partnerships strategy and how they measure success, demonstrating your genuine interest in contributing to their growth.