At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative initiatives and build strategic partnerships to drive impactful outcomes.
- Company: Dynamic bank focused on innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborate with start-ups and tech providers in a fast-paced environment.
- Why this job: Shape the future of banking by exploring cutting-edge technology and customer needs.
- Qualifications: Strong understanding of innovation landscape and financial services strategy.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ 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
Engagement and Partnerships Manager employer: Royal Bank of Scotland
At Royal Bank of Scotland, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that empowers our employees to thrive. As an Operational Resilience Manager, you will benefit from a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance, alongside opportunities for professional development and growth within a supportive team environment. Join us in a role where your expertise will directly contribute to enhancing resilience across NatWest Markets, making a meaningful impact in the financial sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Engagement and Partnerships Manager
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Royal Bank of Scotland. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Engagement and Partnerships Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Royal Bank of Scotland.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Royal Bank of Scotland's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Royal Bank of Scotland
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Royal Bank of Scotland.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Royal Bank of Scotland will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Royal Bank of Scotland employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
