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- Tasks: Lead strategic partnerships and drive revenue growth in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Distinct Cremations, a leading provider in the funeral services sector.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension options, private healthcare, and ongoing development.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a supportive team culture.
- Why this job: Be part of a meaningful journey, shaping the future of our business.
- Qualifications: Experience in business development and building partnerships in financial services.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Full time hours (however there can be some flexibility for the right candidate). Salary: Competitive + OTE + Benefits. Distinct Cremations, Cannock, Staffordshire – Hybrid work is available however depending on your location this could be remote with ad hoc travel to the office. Initial 6 month FTC with scope for permanent opportunity.
We’re looking for a highly commercial and hands on business development leader with a proven track record of originating and closing strategic partnerships within Insurance / financial services, specifically across IFA distribution channels. This is a high impact, hands on role with real ownership — you will be responsible for building a new revenue channel from the ground up, working directly with the Managing Director.
The role Distinct is entering its next phase of growth, with a strategic priority to build scalable third-party distribution. We are seeking an experienced in IFA Business Development to lead this agenda, owning the identification, negotiation, and activation of institutional and intermediary partnerships. This is a senior, hands-on commercial role with a clear mandate to open doors, shape propositions, and close agreements. The initial focus will be on Independent Financial Advisers, with scope to expand into adjacent channels over time.
What success looks like in the first 12 months:
- Material impact on revenue growth and the long-term distribution model of the business.
- A clearly defined and prioritised partner pipeline across IFAs.
- Signed distribution agreements with high quality partners – at least one in each channel.
- Early revenue flowing through partner channels, with clear unit economics and scalability.
- Credibility established with senior external stakeholders and internally across product, marketing, and operations.
- A repeatable partnership model that can be scaled and, over time, supported by additional resource.
This rewarding opportunity involves:
- Business development and partnerships: Identify, target and secure new institutional and intermediary partners across IFAs, banks and building societies. Lead end to end partnership discussions, including proposition design, commercial negotiation, governance approval, and contract close. Develop partner value propositions aligned to partner needs, customer outcomes, and regulatory context.
- Commercial and strategic contribution: Work with the Managing Director and executive team to shape Distinct’s partner distribution strategy and channel economics. Own revenue targets and commercial performance for partner led distribution. Build robust business cases for new partnerships, including volume assumptions, contribution, and operational implications. Collaborate closely with marketing, product, legal, compliance and operations to onboard, launch and activate partners effectively. Ensure partnerships are operationally viable, compliant and deliver a high-quality customer experience. Track and report pipeline, conversion, and performance metrics to the executive team.
- Future build: Establish the foundations for a scalable partner model, with the potential to build a small team as volumes grow.
About you:
- Previous experience in a Senior Business Development Management role specifically building and growing strategic partnerships with IFA networks.
- Comfortable working in an FCA regulated sector (for example, Funeral Plans, Insurance plans / Financial Services etc).
- Proven track record of originating and closing complex B2B or B2B2C partnerships.
- Experience working with IFAs, financial institutions, or similarly structured intermediaries.
- Experience working in growth businesses, scale ups or transformation contexts is strongly preferred.
- Strong commercial judgement and commercial negotiation capability.
- End-to-end deal ownership.
- Credible and confident with senior stakeholders.
- Structured, resilient, and persistent, able to manage long sales cycles.
- Hands on, delivery focused mindset with low tolerance for ambiguity.
- Collaborative and pragmatic, able to get things done across functions.
You’ll need to pass a DBS (criminal record) check to be considered for this role.
About Distinct Cremations and Westerleigh Group: Distinct Cremations is proud to be an FCA accredited, specialist provider of direct cremation services and we are part of the Westerleigh Group. We offer direct cremation services for people wishing to choose a simple, affordable, fuss-free funeral. We pride ourselves on offering exceptional, high-quality care and excellent service to all our customers. Westerleigh Group has been building and managing Crematoria for 30 years and care for over 70,000 cremations and burials every year. We are one of the largest independent operators of crematoria in the UK, supported by almost 500 empathetic and dedicated individuals and we are growing.
What We Offer: If you would like to join the Distinct Cremations team, you can be sure of a warm welcome, ongoing development and a sense of pride by truly making a difference every day. In addition to salary, you will also be eligible for the following benefits:
- Life Assurance
- A choice between 7% employer pension contribution or 5% contribution + private healthcare cover (Bupa)
- Ongoing learning & development
- Access to a wide range of retail discounts and wellbeing support
- Mindfulness App
- The benefit we hope you’ll never need: Free Cremation benefit for Immediate family
- Enhanced maternity & paternity pay
- Employee Assistance / Occupational health support Program
- Free Flu jab
- Free parking
What next? Start a career with significance by applying today.
Head of Strategic Partnerships employer: Distinct Cremations
Contact Detail:
Distinct Cremations Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Strategic Partnerships
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential partners or colleagues. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company and its culture, especially how they approach strategic partnerships. Be ready to discuss your past successes in business development and how you can bring that experience to Distinct Cremations. Show them you’re not just a fit for the role, but for their team too!
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to reiterate why you’re the perfect candidate for building those crucial partnerships.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining Distinct Cremations and being part of our exciting growth journey.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Strategic Partnerships
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 building strategic partnerships, especially within the IFA distribution channels, to show us you’re the right fit.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; we want to see your successes! Include specific examples of how you've originated and closed complex partnerships, and any measurable impacts you've had on revenue growth.
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone who’s hands-on and collaborative, so don’t hesitate to share your unique approach to business development and how you’ve built relationships with senior stakeholders.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Distinct Cremations!
How to prepare for a job interview at Distinct Cremations
✨Know Your Numbers
Before the interview, brush up on your financial metrics and partnership success stories. Be ready to discuss specific revenue growth figures and how your previous partnerships have positively impacted the bottom line. This will show that you understand the commercial side of the role.
✨Research Distinct Cremations
Dive deep into Distinct Cremations' mission, values, and recent developments. Understanding their approach to direct cremation services and how they fit into the broader market will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest in the company.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions about how you would handle specific challenges in building partnerships with IFAs. Think through potential scenarios and prepare structured responses that highlight your problem-solving skills and strategic thinking.
✨Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit
This role requires working closely with various teams. Be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated across functions in the past. Highlight your ability to navigate complex environments and get things done, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.