Head of Operations & Partnerships in London

Head of Operations & Partnerships in London

London Full-Time 50000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Drive commercial growth by closing B2B2C partnerships and coordinating team efforts.
  • Company: FuelQ, the UK's leading fuel card provider with innovative solutions.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, equity options, performance incentives, and hybrid working.
  • Why this job: Join a dynamic startup and make a real impact in the fuel industry.
  • Qualifications: Proven track record in closing deals and strong commercial acumen required.
  • Other info: High autonomy, direct access to leadership, and opportunities for professional development.

The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.

Location: Hybrid (Mid-week London office from Q1 2026)

Salary: £50-60k + 1-2% equity + performance incentives

Reports to: CEO

About FuelQ

FuelQ is the UK's most advanced fuel card provider. We have launched a pre-paid fuel card with features no competitor offers: 1% Fuel Back rewards, up to 10% diesel savings, acceptance at 4,300+ locations, and a mobile app that transforms fuel management for businesses. We serve everyone from individuals and sole traders to established fleets, solving real cost and admin problems with proven product-market fit. Strategic partnerships with Motorsport UK, Halfords, and Charles & Dean are already delivering customer growth.

Why we exist:

Every business with vehicles wastes money and time on fuel. Poor pricing, admin burden, lack of visibility, and cash flow pressure are daily frustrations. We are fixing this with a product that genuinely works better - real savings, instant rewards, complete control, zero hassle. We win by solving real problems better than anyone else.

The Role

This is a commercial growth and execution role, not classic operations management. You will spend 50% of your time identifying and closing B2B2C partnerships that drive customer acquisition, 40% coordinating our small team and agencies to execute growth strategy, and 10% solving whatever problems need solving.

  • Commercial Partnerships (50%)
    • Identify and personally close B2B2C partnerships with membership organisations, fleet associations, trade bodies, and business service providers
    • Negotiate commercial terms and structure mutually beneficial deals
    • Build systematic partnership pipeline and playbook
    • Target sectors: automotive, fleet, trades, gig economy, business services
  • Growth Execution & Coordination (40%)
    • Work with CFO and Head of Customer Engagement to deliver growth initiatives
    • Lead recruitment of senior sales professional
    • Manage agency relationships (advertising, development, email marketing) for ROI
    • Build scalable processes while maintaining speed
    • Own growth metrics and report progress clearly
  • Hands-On Problem Solving (10%)
    • Address operational issues as they arise in an early-stage business
    • Fill gaps until specialist hires are made
    • Do what needs doing to maintain momentum

The Person We Are Looking For:

We need someone with conviction and commercial instinct. You have closed deals yourself, not just managed relationships. You have strong opinions about what works and can back them up with results. You are comfortable making decisions without perfect information and pushing back when you disagree. You thrive on autonomy and ownership; you do not need hand-holding or validation to know you are on the right track. You are resilient when things go wrong and resourceful when resources are tight. You see early-stage chaos as energising, not stressful.

Requirements

  • Essential:
    • Proven track record personally closing B2B2C partnerships or commercial deals (not managing partnerships, closing them yourself)
    • Experience in small teams (under 20 people) executing with limited resources
    • Commercial acumen: can structure deals, build financial models, make data-informed decisions
    • Startup mentality: values equity upside over maximising base salary, comfortable with ambiguity
    • Strong character and conviction: clear opinions, pushes back when needed, resilient under pressure
    • Willing to commit to mid-week London office presence
  • Desirable:
    • Experience in automotive, fleet, fuel, payments, or B2B financial services
    • Track record building 0→1 initiatives
    • Previous pre-Series A startup experience

Our Values:

  • Execution over analysis - We test and iterate rather than perfect in theory
  • Authentic communication - Direct, honest, no corporate speak
  • Commercial thinking - Decisions based on customer value and ROI
  • Ownership - Own outcomes, no excuses or blame
  • Resourcefulness - Do more with less, find creative solutions
  • Customer obsession - Solve real problems better than anyone else

What We Offer

  • Base salary: £50-60k depending on experience
  • Equity: 1-2% EMI options (4-year vest, 1-year cliff)
  • Performance incentives tied to partnership wins and revenue milestones
  • Hybrid working with mid-week London presence
  • Direct access to CEO and leadership decisions
  • High autonomy and ownership
  • Pension contribution and professional development support

How to Apply

Apply via LinkedIn with your CV (max 2 pages) and a brief note (max 300 words) covering:

  • A B2B2C partnership or commercial deal you personally closed, how you identified it, negotiated it, and what results it delivered
  • Why you are specifically interested in FuelQ (not generic startup enthusiasm)

Deadline: January 15th 2026

Head of Operations & Partnerships in London employer: FuelQ® - The Fuel Card Experts

FuelQ is an exceptional employer that champions innovation and autonomy, offering a dynamic work environment where employees can thrive. With a hybrid working model and a focus on personal growth, team members enjoy direct access to leadership and the opportunity to shape the future of the UK's most advanced fuel card provider. The company fosters a culture of resourcefulness and customer obsession, ensuring that every employee plays a vital role in solving real-world problems while benefiting from competitive salaries, equity options, and performance incentives.
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Contact Detail:

FuelQ® - The Fuel Card Experts Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Operations & Partnerships in London

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 mentors. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or valuable connections.

Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! If you’ve got a portfolio or case studies of successful partnerships you’ve closed, make sure to highlight them in conversations. Bring them up during interviews or networking chats to demonstrate your expertise and what you can bring to the table.

Tip Number 3

Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to pop up. Reach out directly to companies you admire, like FuelQ, and express your interest in working with them. Tailor your message to show how your skills align with their needs, and who knows, they might create a role just for you!

Tip Number 4

Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s partnerships and growth strategies. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their goals, especially in areas like B2B2C partnerships. This shows you’re not just interested in any job, but specifically in helping them succeed.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Operations & Partnerships in London

B2B2C Partnership Development
Commercial Negotiation
Financial Modelling
Data-Informed Decision Making
Team Coordination
Growth Strategy Execution
Problem Solving
Startup Mentality
Resilience Under Pressure
Resourcefulness
Customer Value Focus
Authentic Communication
Ownership of Outcomes

Some tips for your application 🫡

Be Specific About Your Achievements: When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight specific B2B2C partnerships or deals you've closed. We want to see the nitty-gritty of how you identified opportunities, negotiated terms, and what results you achieved. This is your chance to show us your commercial acumen!

Show Your Passion for FuelQ: In your brief note, let us know why you're particularly interested in FuelQ. Avoid generic statements; we want to hear what excites you about our mission and how you can contribute to solving real problems in the fuel industry. Make it personal!

Keep It Concise and Clear: Remember, your CV should be a maximum of 2 pages, and your note should be no more than 300 words. We appreciate clarity and brevity, so get straight to the point while showcasing your skills and experiences. Less fluff, more substance!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best experience. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy – just follow the prompts and submit your materials!

How to prepare for a job interview at FuelQ® - The Fuel Card Experts

Know Your Numbers

Before the interview, brush up on your commercial acumen. Be ready to discuss specific B2B2C partnerships you've closed, including the financial models and metrics that made them successful. FuelQ values data-informed decisions, so showing you can back up your claims with numbers will impress.

Showcase Your Resilience

FuelQ is looking for someone who thrives in chaos. Prepare examples of how you've navigated challenges in previous roles, especially in small teams. Highlight your resourcefulness and how you’ve turned setbacks into opportunities, as this aligns with their startup mentality.

Demonstrate Authentic Communication

Practice being direct and honest in your responses. FuelQ appreciates authentic communication, so avoid corporate jargon. Be clear about your opinions and don’t shy away from discussing disagreements you've had in past roles—showing conviction is key!

Tailor Your Interest

When discussing why you're interested in FuelQ, make it personal. Research their unique fuel card features and partnerships, and explain how your background aligns with their mission. This shows genuine interest and helps you stand out from other candidates.

Head of Operations & Partnerships in London
FuelQ® - The Fuel Card Experts
Location: London
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