At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive international partnerships and execute market access strategies for SynMax.
- Company: Join SynMax, a leader in global defence technology partnerships.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, international travel opportunities, and impactful work.
- Other info: High ownership role with significant impact on business development.
- Why this job: Shape SynMax's growth in international markets and make a real difference.
- Qualifications: Experience in government or defence partnerships and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
Reporting to: SVP Business Development
Function: Business Development / Partnerships
Location: UK
Travel: International travel required
Role Overview
SynMax is building a global partner ecosystem to accelerate adoption of Theia across allied government and defense markets. The Principal, International Partnerships role is a senior individual contributor position responsible for establishing and executing partner-led market access outside the United States, with an initial focus on NATO and allied countries. This role is outcome-oriented and execution-heavy. You will identify, qualify, and operationalise partners that can credibly represent SynMax in-country, support tenders and procurements, and convert partnership relationships into real pipeline and revenue. This is not a relationship-only or alliance-management role.
Core Purpose
This role exists to:
- Drive partnership-led business development with prime contractors, integrators, and trusted resellers in international markets.
- Establish credible in-country partner representation in priority NATO and allied countries.
- Create structured, repeatable partner engagement models that convert into measurable pipeline and revenue.
- Expand SynMax’s international market presence through indirect, partner-led channels.
Key Responsibilities
International Partner Execution
- Own partner-led market entry and execution across a defined set of international (primarily NATO/allied) countries.
- Identify, qualify, and onboard regional partners including primes, system integrators, and resellers.
- Drive partner-supported tenders, bids, and procurements from early qualification through submission and award.
Partner Engagement & Governance
- Establish clear operating norms with partners covering roles, responsibilities, deal hygiene, and information flow.
- Maintain strong working relationships with active partners while holding them accountable for performance.
- Make judgement calls on partner prioritization, engagement depth, and when to disengage from non-performing relationships.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with Business Development, Product, Legal, and Customer Success to ensure partners are enabled and aligned.
- Support internal teams with partner context, market intelligence, and tender-specific insights.
- Capture and codify learnings from international markets to inform internal best practices.
What Success Looks Like
- Active, credible partners established in priority international markets.
- Partner-led opportunities progressing into qualified pipeline and awarded contracts.
- Reduced friction and cycle time for international tenders and procurements.
- Clear internal visibility into partner performance, risks, and opportunities.
What This Role Is Not
- This role does not own global partner strategy or pricing policy.
- This role does not manage people.
- This role is not a general sales or account executive position.
What We’re Looking For
- Demonstrated experience building and executing partnerships in government, defense, or regulated international markets.
- Strong understanding of non-US government procurement environments and partner-led sales models.
- Ability to operate independently in ambiguous environments and make sound commercial judgements.
- Comfort representing a technical product externally and translating capability into mission-relevant value.
- Clear communicator able to work effectively across internal teams and external partners.
Why SynMax
You’ll play a key role in shaping how SynMax enters and scales in international markets at an early stage. This role offers high ownership, direct impact on growth, and the opportunity to build durable partner channels that matter.
Principal, International Partnerships (Theia) employer: SynMax
At SynMax, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture, particularly for the Principal, International Partnerships role based in the UK. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through tailored development opportunities and the chance to make a tangible impact in international markets, especially within NATO and allied countries. With a focus on collaboration and innovation, we empower our team members to drive meaningful partnerships that contribute to our global success.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal, International Partnerships (Theia)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend industry events, conferences, and meetups where you can connect with potential partners and decision-makers. Don’t be shy; introduce yourself and share what you’re passionate about in the international partnerships space.
✨Tip Number 2
Leverage LinkedIn to its fullest! Update your profile to reflect your expertise in government and defence partnerships. Engage with relevant content, join groups, and reach out to connections who might help you get your foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s current partnerships and market strategies. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their goals, especially in NATO and allied countries. Show them you mean business!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal, International Partnerships (Theia)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Principal, International Partnerships role. Highlight your experience in building partnerships in government and defence markets, as well as your understanding of international procurement environments. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Impact:When detailing your past experiences, focus on the outcomes you've achieved. Use specific examples that demonstrate how you've driven partnership-led business development and converted relationships into revenue. We love seeing quantifiable results that show your impact!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Avoid jargon and ensure your communication is clear. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. This helps us keep track of all applications and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy and straightforward – just follow the prompts!
How to prepare for a job interview at SynMax
✨Know Your Market
Before the interview, dive deep into the international markets SynMax is targeting, especially NATO and allied countries. Understand their procurement processes and what makes a successful partnership in those regions. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your expertise and show that you're ready to hit the ground running.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles where you've successfully built and executed partnerships in government or defence sectors. Highlight how you identified and onboarded partners, and the tangible results you achieved. This will illustrate your capability to drive partner-led business development effectively.
✨Communicate Clearly
As a Principal, you'll need to convey complex ideas simply. Practice explaining technical concepts related to Theia in a way that highlights their mission-relevant value. Clear communication will be key in both the interview and your future role, so make sure you can articulate your thoughts confidently.
✨Engagement Strategy
Think about how you would establish operating norms with partners and maintain strong relationships. Be ready to discuss your approach to partner engagement and governance, including how you'd handle non-performing relationships. This will show that you understand the importance of accountability and performance in partnerships.
