Strategic Partnerships Manager

Strategic Partnerships Manager

Full-Time 47250 - 57750 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Virgin Media

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Manage and develop strategic relationships with key ISP customers and partners.
  • Company: Join Virgin Media O, a leader in broadband reliability and performance.
  • Benefits: Bupa healthcare, generous holiday, birthday off, and exclusive discounts.
  • Other info: Flexible-first organisation with a focus on diversity and inclusion.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact by driving service excellence and customer satisfaction.
  • Qualifications: Experience in managing strategic partnerships and influencing stakeholders.

The predicted salary is between 47250 - 57750 £ per year.

We have an exciting new opening for a Senior Strategic Partnerships Manager to be accountable for managing and developing strategic relationships with key Internet Service Provider (ISP) customers and partners.

You'll act as the primary interface between the organisation and its customer base, focusing on strengthening customer engagement, ensuring effective governance of strategic partnerships, driving service excellence, and identifying opportunities to deliver additional business value through collaboration and relationship management., Working across multiple internal functions, the role is responsible for representing customer requirements, aligning internal stakeholders to customer priorities, and maintaining strong executive-level relationships to support business growth, retention, and customer satisfaction.

  • Proven experience managing strategic supplier, partner, wholesale, telecommunications or ISP customer relationships, with a strong track record of developing long-term trusted partnerships and influencing executive-level stakeholders.
  • Strong capability to engage, influence and align stakeholders at all levels, internally and externally, with proven success in driving outcomes, resolving competing priorities and securing customer and business alignment.
  • Sound understanding of commercial drivers, customer value, contractual obligations and growth opportunities, with evidence of delivering tangible business outcomes.
  • Proven experience leading governance forums, service reviews and partner performance discussions, ensuring accountability and continuous improvement.
  • Strong understanding of supplier management, contractual governance, service delivery and telecommunications operations, supported by demonstrable examples from previous roles.
  • Ability to champion customer outcomes and coordinate cross-functional teams to deliver service excellence.
  • Previous experience working with other major national telco providers, or similar strategic telecommunications partners is highly desirable.
  • Experience managing customer performance, service reviews and governance processes.
  • Skilled at managing complex issues, customer escalations and achieving positive outcomes.

At Virgin Media O , we connect people to the moments that matter most.

Virgin Media leads the UK for broadband reliability, speed and overall performance, while O keeps people connected on the move with award-winning coverage.

We're also proud to be named one of the Financial Times Top 500 Best Employers for 2026, based on one of the UK's largest employee satisfaction surveys.

Join us and you'll be part of a team that stays curious, positive and focused on making life easier for our customers and each other.

We're investing in the future of connectivity, from expanding next-generation 5G to exploring satellite-supported solutions that help reach rural communities and hard-to-connect places.

You'll work with people who back good ideas and give you plenty of room to grow.

So if you're looking for a place where you can feel supported, trusted and genuinely valued, you'll feel right at home here.

Our ways of working

We're a flexible-first organisation, because we know people do their best work when they have choice and clarity.

To support meaningful collaboration, we ask everyone to spend at least eight days a month connecting with each other in person.

That doesn't just mean time in the office - it could be team meetings, offsites, volunteering days, cross-functional projects, or away days.

What matters is making those moments count - so when we come together, it benefits everyone.

Accessible, inclusive and equitable for all

We believe a better tomorrow starts with the choices we make today.

That means moving the dial on diversity, building equity into everything we do and putting inclusion at the heart of our business.

Virgin Media O is an equal opportunities employer and we work hard to remove bias and barriers.

We want every person who joins us - and everyone thinking about joining us - to feel seen, heard and supported.

When you work with us, you’ll have access to our award-winning employee network groups.

These communities bring people together, champion allyship and create uplifting spaces where you can learn, share and feel part of something bigger.

They play a big role in helping people feel connected from day one.

  • The must haves
  • You’ll get Bupa healthcare, wellbeing support, life cover, a pension and generous holiday -plus your birthday off.
  • Enjoy some extra perks on us, with optional electric vehicle lease and Cycle2Work schemes.
  • Dental insurance.
  • Neurodiversity assessments.
  • Brilliant discounts on broadband, TV and mobile.
  • You’ll even get access to the Virgin Family platform and the O Priority app, with exclusive rewards, experiences and chances to attend events at The O and beyond.
  • #J-18808-Ljbffr

Strategic Partnerships Manager employer: Virgin Media

Virgin Media in Park Central is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises innovation and collaboration. Employees benefit from comprehensive professional development opportunities, competitive compensation, and a commitment to work-life balance, making it an ideal environment for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the field of Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery.

Virgin Media

Contact Details:

Virgin Media Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Strategic Partnerships Manager

Get Chummy with Industry Events

Dive into telecommunications networking conferences and expos. These are golden opportunities to meet potential employers like Virgin Media and learn about open positions directly from their teams. Keep an eye out for workshops or panels – they’re perfect for showcasing your passion and expertise!

Join Networking Communities

Find online forums or local meetups that focus on telecommunications and networking. Sites like LinkedIn Groups or Reddit communities can be great for connecting with professionals in the field. Just remember to participate in discussions – you never know when someone might mention job openings at places like Virgin Media.

Showcase Your Skills with Personal Projects

If you’ve got any personal projects or contributions to open-source networking tools, flaunt them! Create a portfolio that showcases your skills relevant to what telecommunication companies are looking for. It’s a great conversation starter during interviews and networking chats.

Utilise Online Job Boards Wisely

While we’re all about encouraging you to apply through our website, also keep an eye on job boards specific to tech and telecommunication roles. Websites such as Telecommunication Jobs and TechCareers often list full-time roles that may not appear elsewhere. Just be sure to tailor every application to grab attention – even small tweaks can make a big difference!

We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Partnerships Manager

Strategic Relationship Management
Customer Engagement
Stakeholder Alignment
Governance and Accountability
Service Excellence
Telecommunications Operations
Contractual Governance

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Technical Know-How:When you're applying for a role in telecommunications and networking, it’s crucial to highlight your technical skills. Mention specific technologies you're proficient in, like IP networking, VoIP, or security protocols. Be sure your CV includes any relevant certifications such as CCNA or CompTIA Network+; they really show you've got the chops for the job.

Tailor Your Experience to Match Networking Projects:In your CV and cover letter, don’t just list your past jobs—showcase specific projects that align with the role! If you've worked on network design, implementation, or troubleshooting, weave those experiences in and highlight metrics to demonstrate your impact. This paints a vivid picture of how you'd fit into the role at Virgin Media.

Show Enthusiasm for the Industry:With telecommunications evolving rapidly, it’s important to express your passion for the field in your application. Mention any trends or innovations you've been following that excite you and how they'd influence your work. This can really set you apart and show that you're not just after a job, but a career!

Keep It Clean and Professional:While it’s important to be personable, ensure your application maintains a clean and structured format. Use clear headings and bullet points to make it easy for hiring managers to dig into your skills and experience. Remember, you’re applying for a full-time role, so a well-organised application will signal your seriousness about the position at Virgin Media.

How to prepare for a job interview at Virgin Media

Brush Up on Networking Protocols

Make sure you’re up to speed with the key networking protocols like TCP/IP, UDP, and perhaps even MPLS if it's relevant. We can expect technical questions about how these protocols function and the problems they solve, so a solid understanding will help you shine.

Showcase Your Projects

Got a portfolio? Bring it along! Highlight any relevant projects where you've designed or managed network systems. This is your chance to demonstrate practical experience; employers love to see how your skills can be applied in real-world scenarios.

Get Comfortable with Technical Scenarios

You might be faced with a case study or a technical troubleshooting scenario during the interview. Practise responding to common networking issues—like packet loss or latency problems. Thinking through these scenarios will help us sound confident and competent in our responses.

Emphasise Team Collaboration Skills

In the telecommunications field, teamwork is key! Make sure to share examples of how you’ve worked collaboratively, whether in past jobs or projects at uni. Employers want to see that you’re not just technically savvy, but also great at working within a team setting.