At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative partnerships and explore opportunities that drive impactful outcomes for the bank.
- Company: Dynamic bank focused on innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Exciting role with potential to make a real difference in the industry.
- Why this job: Shape the future of banking by collaborating with start-ups and tech providers.
- Qualifications: Strong understanding of innovation landscape and financial services strategy.
The predicted salary is between 60750 - 74250 £ per year.
Join us as an Engagement and Partnerships Manager. In this crucial role, you’ll lead innovative initiatives across the bank by collaboratively identifying potential opportunities and strategic partnerships that drive purposeful outcomes. We’ll look to you to build and strengthen relationships both within and outside the bank to identify and progress the most strategically impactful innovation opportunities.
This is a great opportunity to expand your leadership profile as you collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to identify and understand key focus areas for exploration.
What you'll do
- As an Engagement and Partnerships Manager in Open Innovation, you'll help identify, explore, and validate opportunities that create value for customers and the bank.
- Working at the intersection of emerging technology, customer needs, and business strategy, you'll bring external insights, innovative thinking, and strong partnerships to shape the bank's future.
- You'll also work closely with start-ups, technology providers, academic institutions, and other ecosystem partners to source new capabilities and opportunities.
- Internally, you'll build strong stakeholder relationships, secure sponsorship for innovation initiatives, and help take ideas from discovery and experimentation through to implementation and scale.
In addition, you’ll be:
- Identifying and developing innovation opportunities aligned to strategic priorities and emerging technology trends.
- Building and managing relationships across the external innovation ecosystem to source ideas, capabilities, and partnerships.
- Bringing market and technology insights to inform strategy, decision-making, and investment priorities.
- Collaborating with stakeholders across the bank to build support, manage delivery, and maximise impact.
- Representing innovation initiatives through governance forums, while ensuring alignment with relevant risk and policy requirements.
The skills you'll need
We're looking for someone with a strong understanding of the external innovation landscape and its impact on customers, with the ability to translate emerging technologies, market trends, and ecosystem developments into meaningful opportunities for the business. You should also have a good grasp of financial services strategy and be excited by the opportunity to explore, test, and scale technology-enabled propositions.
To succeed in this role, you must be comfortable collaboratively incubating ideas, identifying high-potential opportunities, and shaping innovation pathways informed by developments both within financial services and across adjacent sectors.
In addition, you’ll need:
- The ability to build productive relationships and collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders, while managing commercial discussions and partnership negotiations where required.
- Proven experience in shaping and delivering innovation initiatives, with the ability to adapt to new insights, navigate ambiguity, and progress opportunities through structured innovation pathways.
- Strong strategic thinking skills, with the ability to define experimentation and validation approaches, take concepts from discovery to implementation, and make informed investment recommendations.
- Experience building and managing relationships with a broad range of external partners, including start-ups, scale-ups, academic institutions, technology providers, and industry networks.
- A strong understanding of emerging technology trends and their implications for financial services, particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence, agentic AI, automation, data, and digital platforms.
- Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to engage senior stakeholders, build alignment, and secure support for new opportunities.
Hours: 35
Job Posting Closing Date: 24/08/2026
Ways of Working: Hybrid
Location: London
Type: Full time
Client Partnerships Manager in London employer: NatWest Group
Coutts & Co is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to join a leading Private Banking and Wealth Management firm during a pivotal growth phase. With a collaborative work culture that prioritises professional development, employees are encouraged to influence strategic decisions while receiving support from senior leaders. The role of Managing Legal Counsel not only provides a platform for impactful legal work but also fosters an environment where innovation and efficiency are valued, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Client Partnerships Manager in London
✨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 Client Partnerships Manager at NatWest Group!
✨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 NatWest Group or be willing to refer you for that Client Partnerships Manager 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 NatWest Group who’s on the lookout for their next Client Partnerships Manager 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 Client Partnerships Manager role at NatWest Group!
We think you need these skills to ace Client Partnerships Manager in London
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 NatWest Group. 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 NatWest Group
✨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 NatWest Group. 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!
