At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage and scale data partnerships in the travel sector while ensuring compliance and quality.
- Company: Navigator, a pioneering travel advertising company transforming with AI technology.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance incentives, and opportunities for career progression.
- Why this job: Join a mission-critical role that directly impacts the future of travel advertising.
- Qualifications: 3-5 years in partnership management with strong negotiation and relationship skills.
- Other info: Work in a high-performance culture with daily access to leadership.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We are seeking a commercially astute and operationally excellent Partnership Manager to own and scale Navigator's data partnership portfolio and manage our rapidly growing vendor ecosystem as we build out our Travel Media Network. This is a critical operational role that will manage all existing data partnerships, support the Founder in sourcing and winning new data suppliers, and oversee external vendor relationships that are multiplying daily as our media network scales. You will be the linchpin between our data suppliers, technology teams, and commercial operations.
Location: London HQ
Reports to: Director of Operations & People
Works closely with: Founder & CEO
Direct Reports: None initially
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Own day-to-day relationships with all current data partners (airlines, travel brands, booking platforms) ensuring contractual obligations are met, data quality is maintained, and compliance with privacy regulations.
- Support Founder in sourcing, qualifying, and winning new data partnership opportunities in the travel sector.
- Lead commercial negotiations, coordinate technical integrations with Product/Tech teams, and manage onboarding from contract signature to data flow.
- Conduct quarterly business reviews with key partners and identify upsell and expansion opportunities.
- Work with Product/Tech teams to maximize value from existing data assets and identify gaps in data coverage.
- Contribute to data monetization strategies for Travel Media Network while ensuring all partnerships align with privacy compliance and ethical standards.
- Develop partnership playbooks and standardized processes as the partnership portfolio scales.
- Own relationships with all external vendors supporting Travel Media Network build-out, including SSPs, DSPs, and adtech partnerships.
- Manage contracts, SLAs, and performance metrics across vendor ecosystem.
- Coordinate vendor activities across technology, marketing, and operations teams.
- Handle procurement, invoicing, and budget tracking while identifying cost savings and efficiency improvements.
- Build vendor management frameworks, maintain documentation, and conduct regular performance reviews.
- Manage escalations, resolve issues, and ensure compliance with company procurement policies.
- Onboard new vendors as network scales, including programmatic and adtech infrastructure partners.
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE & SKILLS
- 3-5 years in partnership management, business development, or supplier relations.
- Experience managing data partnerships or technology partnerships.
- Proven track record negotiating and closing commercial agreements.
- Vendor or supplier management experience in a scaling business.
- Experience working across multiple stakeholders (product, tech, commercial, legal).
- Strong commercial acumen and financial literacy.
- Relationship Management: Building trust and managing multiple stakeholder relationships.
- Commercial Negotiation: Structuring win-win deals that protect company interests.
- Project Management: Juggling multiple partnerships and vendors simultaneously.
- Problem-Solving: Resolving issues quickly and pragmatically.
- Communication: Translating between technical and commercial teams.
- Attention to Detail: Managing contracts, SLAs, and compliance requirements.
- Systems Thinking: Building scalable processes as the business grows.
HIGHLY DESIRABLE
- Travel, adtech, or martech industry experience.
- Understanding of data privacy regulations (GDPR, CCPA).
- Experience with retail media networks or marketplace platforms.
- Familiarity with programmatic advertising or data exchanges.
- Experience in high-growth, Series A+ funded startups.
- Technical literacy to understand data integration requirements.
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
- Commercially Minded: Understands how partnerships drive business value.
- Operationally Excellent: Creates order and efficiency in complex environments.
- Proactive: Spots issues before they become problems.
- Pragmatic: Gets things done without needing perfect conditions.
- Collaborative: Works effectively across CEO, operations, product, and tech teams.
- Resilient: Handles setbacks and difficult negotiations professionally.
- Detail-Oriented: Ensures nothing falls through the cracks.
- Growth-Oriented: Excited by scaling challenges and building foundations.
- Self-Sufficient: Operates independently with minimal supervision.
- Trustworthy: Handles confidential commercial information with discretion.
WHAT NAVIGATOR OFFERS
- Mission-Critical Role: Direct impact on company's data assets and operational efficiency.
- Access to Leadership: Daily interaction with Founder/CEO and senior leadership.
- Growth Environment: Series A-funded company scaling rapidly with AI transformation.
- Competitive Package: Market-rate salary plus performance incentives.
- London HQ: Work from our London office in a high-performance team.
- Learning: Exposure to AI-native transformation in travel adtech.
- Career Progression: Clear path to Senior Partnership Manager and beyond.
- Impact: See direct results of your partnership and vendor management.
REPORTING & COLLABORATION
- Reports to: Director of Operations and People.
- Works closely with: Founder & CEO, Product & Technology Teams, Finance, Commercial Teams.
ABOUT NAVIGATOR
Navigator is revolutionising travel advertising through exclusive first-party data partnerships with the world's leading airlines and travel brands. Following successful Series A funding from a leading UK Olympian founder, we're transforming to become AI-native and building a Travel Media Network (retail media network) that will redefine how travel brands connect with high-intent travelers. We operate with a high-performance culture, generate £7-10M in annual revenue, and serve brand-direct clients and mid-to-large advertising agencies across the travel sector. Our team combines exceptional creative talent, optimisation expertise, and cutting-edge technology to deliver measurably superior results for our clients. Navigator is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive team.
Partnerships Manager employer: Navigator
Contact Detail:
Navigator Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Partnerships Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the travel and adtech industries. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a job opportunity!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience in managing data partnerships and vendor relationships. Use specific examples to demonstrate how you've successfully navigated complex negotiations or improved operational efficiency.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! If you see a company you’re keen on, don’t wait for them to post a job. Reach out directly and express your interest in working with them. Tailor your message to show how your skills align with their needs, especially in partnership management and commercial negotiations.
✨Tip Number 4
Keep learning! Stay updated on trends in the travel and adtech sectors, especially around data privacy regulations and programmatic advertising. This knowledge will not only boost your confidence but also make you a more attractive candidate when you apply through our website.
We think you need these skills to ace Partnerships Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in partnership management and data relationships. We want to see how your skills align with our needs, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Commercial Acumen: In your application, emphasise your understanding of how partnerships drive business value. We’re looking for someone who can demonstrate a strong commercial mindset, so share examples of successful negotiations or deals you've closed.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make sure your key points stand out. This will help us quickly see why you’d be a great fit for the role!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Navigator
✨Know Your Partnerships
Before the interview, dive deep into the company's existing data partnerships. Understand who their key partners are and what value these relationships bring. This will help you speak confidently about how you can manage and enhance these partnerships.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of past negotiations you've led, especially in partnership management. Be ready to discuss how you structured win-win deals and resolved conflicts. This will demonstrate your commercial acumen and ability to protect company interests.
✨Understand the Tech Side
Brush up on the technical aspects of data integration and vendor management. Familiarity with programmatic advertising and data privacy regulations like GDPR will show that you can effectively liaise between technical and commercial teams.
✨Be Proactive and Problem-Solving
Think of scenarios where you've identified potential issues before they escalated. Share how you approached these situations pragmatically. This will highlight your operational excellence and resilience, which are crucial for this role.