Head of Strategic Partnerships

Location: Home based (hybrid) Permanent

Role Purpose: Reporting directly to the Commercial Director, the Head of Strategic Partnerships is a leadership role focussed on driving revenue and client growth by developing and implementing account strategies, leading a team of Account Managers, and fostering strong client relationships. Responsible for the overall commercial performance, the role will require considerable commercial acumen when both developing and negotiating a robust and deliverable set of business plans and service commitments.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the development of Client Relationships: Accountable for the overall strategic development of our key client relationships working at senior and board level, to ensure alignment with key business objectives and that our partners' needs are met. Develop and maintain strong, trusted relationships with key decision makers across our key partners matrix. Ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty. Overall accountability for the development and implementation of the partner strategies that will enable the successful achievement of business and financial objectives and targets, and attain the desired financial growth in the identified target areas.
• Account Planning & Management: Accountable for setting and agreeing clear financial and operational deliverables for our strategic clients that are measured and analysed frequently, with appropriate actions being taken to enhance our relationships. Devise, develop and maintain an overarching Account Management framework that ensures we are engaging and developing our relationships in a structured and measured way. An operating model that engages and develops our key internal business partners. Successful engagement will be critical when managing client delivery expectations within a timely manner. Internal stakeholders are an important part of the overall relationship matrix management, and therefore a joined up, team approach of engagement is expected externally. Overall responsibility for developing strategic plans, covering BAU activity, P&L analysis, key metrics and strategic development across our and our clients' value chain.
• Managing a High Performing Team: Lead and develop the Strategic Partnership Team, so that productive and mutually beneficial relationships are engendered and strategically developed to maximise future business opportunities and maximise return on HSB Building Warranty’s investment, agnostic of the sales brand. Undertake regular performance appraisals with all reporting team members, identifying individual development needs to ensure performance is addressed effectively and promptly. Effectively coach and mentor the team to a highly resourceful and experienced team that can deliver a high standard of service to clients and customers. Ensure the account management framework is fully utilised and updated to accurately document our ongoing engagement and opportunities with our partners. Ensure the team are always compliant with HSB Building Warranty business standards, processes and procedures and that revised procedures to meet changing compliance requirements are effectively implemented.
• Stakeholder Management: Work closely alongside the EMC and other senior stakeholders to ensure they have insight and understanding of our key clients. Where necessary, develop and deliver commercial business plans for sign off. Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, to ensure seamless delivery of our proposition. Ensure key business functions have clear understanding, and objectives around the agreed delivery promises for our partners. Conduct regular internal review meetings where our internal performance across all business functions is discussed against our commitments. Actions taken and monitored to improve our service delivery/proposition.
• Proposition Development & Market Insight: Working with Marketing, lead the development and ongoing refresh of a value proposition for our strategic clients. Developing a proposition that makes it “Easy to do business with us”. Strategically and continually review market trends and competitor activity to identify opportunities which will maximise our market presence and provide sustainable financial profit. Monitor any threats within the market, and interpret the potential impact on MD Group's service delivery and the client offering.

Key Skills & Experience Requirements:

• Strong sales and relationship management experience.
• Exceptional internal stakeholder management.
• Demonstrable coaching and mentoring experience.
• Strong commercial awareness with demonstrable negotiation and influencing skills.
• Ability to build and maintain strong client relationships.
• Comprehensive understanding of Insurance Business Processes.
• Demonstrable management and leadership experience with ability to inspire and motivate team members to achieve exceptional results.

Qualifications & Educational Requirements:

• CII Level 3 Certificate in Insurance (desirable)

Annual bonus, Private Medical Insurance, 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, Enhanced Maternity/Paternity leave (after 2 years’ service).

At HSB Group (including Premier Guarantee), Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion foster innovation and resilience and enable us to act braver and better. Embracing the power of DEI is at the core of who we are. We recognise diversity can be multi-dimensional, intersectional, and complex, so we want to build a diverse workforce that includes a wide range of racial, ethnic, sexual, and gender identities; economic and geographic backgrounds; physical abilities; ages; life, school, and career experiences; and political, religious, and personal beliefs. Additionally, we are committed to building an equitable and inclusive work environment where this diversity is celebrated, valued, and has equitable opportunities to succeed. All candidates in consideration for any role can request a reasonable adjustment at any point in our recruitment process. You can request an adjustment by speaking to your Talent Acquisition contact.