At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and grow exciting partnerships with major brands and Virgin companies.
- Company: Join Virgin Red, a dynamic rewards club with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy healthcare, competitive pension, personal learning budget, and flexible work options.
- Other info: Embrace a culture of curiosity and innovation while working with an iconic brand.
- Why this job: Shape the future of partnerships and make a real impact in a vibrant environment.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in managing commercial partnerships and leading high-performing teams.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
Are you a commercially savvy relationship builder who knows how to turn great partnerships into something even bigger? Someone who can spot untapped potential, challenge the status quo and inspire a team to raise the bar? We're looking for a Strategic Relationship Director to help shape the future of partnerships at Virgin Red, the rewards club from Virgin. You'll take the lead on a portfolio of exciting third-party brands and Virgin companies, finding fresh ways to grow these relationships, create brilliant customer experiences and unlock new commercial opportunities.
This isn't a role for someone who's happy to keep things ticking along. We want someone who's curious, ambitious and always looking for what's next. You'll bring a proactive, entrepreneurial approach to growing partnerships, combining commercial thinking, customer insights and a genuine passion for building relationships that go the distance.
As part of our Loyalty Leadership Team, you'll lead and inspire a talented team of partnership professionals, championing fresh ideas, challenging conventional thinking and making sure we're making the most of every opportunity. With the backing of an iconic global brand and plenty of room to make your mark, this is your chance to help take Virgin Red's partnerships to the next level.
What you'll be getting stuck into:
- Taking ownership of a portfolio of third-party partnerships and Virgin companies, from major household names to exciting smaller brands, finding new ways to grow their commercial performance and deliver more value for customers.
- Building brilliant relationships with senior leaders and decision-makers, becoming a trusted strategic partner who can influence, challenge and uncover opportunities that benefit everyone involved.
- Spotting untapped potential within existing partnerships, proactively creating new opportunities, shaping ambitious propositions and navigating complex negotiations and longer deal cycles to turn great ideas into lasting commercial success.
- Leading, coaching and inspiring a team of Partner Directors, Leads and Managers, setting clear expectations, raising the performance bar and creating a culture of accountability, curiosity and high performance.
- Using data, customer insights and commercial analysis to understand what's working, identify opportunities for growth and make smart decisions. You'll also champion the use of AI and new technology to help your team work smarter and think bigger.
- Making the most of the wider Virgin family, bringing together teams across Trading, Finance, Marketing, Technology and beyond to create joined-up partnerships and customer experiences that deliver real results.
- Keeping your finger on the pulse of what's happening in the market, getting out there to meet partners, spotting emerging trends and bringing fresh ideas, industry insights and best practice back to the team and wider business.
What you'll bring:
- A strong track record of managing and growing significant commercial partnerships, with the ability to spot new opportunities, negotiate complex deals and build relationships that deliver lasting value.
- Brilliant relationship-building and influencing skills, with the credibility and confidence to engage senior leaders, navigate complex stakeholder relationships and bring people together around a shared vision.
- Proven experience leading and developing high-performing commercial or partnership teams. You know how to inspire others, challenge constructively, lead by example and create a genuine following through your energy, expertise and approach.
- A sharp commercial mind and a data-driven approach, with the ability to turn customer insights and market intelligence into compelling propositions and measurable results.
- Experience working across complex organisations or multiple stakeholders, with the resilience, sound judgement and patience to navigate ambiguity, competing priorities and longer-term commercial opportunities.
- Experience in loyalty, rewards or customer experience would be a bonus, but isn't essential.
- A naturally curious, proactive and entrepreneurial mindset. You're someone who gets out into the market, builds connections, shares fresh thinking and isn't afraid to challenge how things have always been done.
What you'll get in return:
We know life doesn't stop when work starts. So we've built our benefits to support you - at work and beyond. Life – support when it matters most, with healthcare from day one, family-friendly policies and help for life's bigger moments. Work – the foundations that set you up for the future, including a competitive pension, life assurance and options like our EV scheme. Spirit – space to grow and enjoy the journey, with a personal learning budget, mentoring, volunteering time... and our famous "Screw it, let's do it" pot. It's all designed to help you feel your best, do your best, and enjoy the ride - with a few extra Virgin touches along the way (because we don't really do "standard").
The essentials:
Where you'll work: We come together in the office approximately 2-3 days a week - the rest is yours to work in your own space. Bring your whole self. We welcome people from all walks of life, with all kinds of experiences and ways of thinking. Different perspectives, however your mind works, help us see things differently and do things better. If there's anything we can do to support you through the hiring process, just let us know, we'll always do our best to make it work for you. We believe in using business as a force for good, creating positive change for our people, our communities and the world around us. That includes being a Fair Chance employer and championing strengths like dyslexic thinking - staying open, listening to individual circumstances and focusing on potential.
Where could this role take you? Your Virgin adventure starts here.
Strategic Relationship Director - 3rd Party in London employer: Virgin
Virgin is an excellent employer that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth, offering a competitive salary and a range of benefits designed to support work-life balance. With a collaborative work culture and the opportunity to engage with senior leaders in London, this role as an Enterprise PMO Analyst provides a meaningful platform for career advancement and impactful contributions to the organisation's success.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Relationship Director - 3rd Party in London
✨Get Involved in Industry Events
Jumping into industry events or leadership conferences can really help boost your visibility. Not only will you meet potential employers, but you’ll also get the chance to connect with other leaders in corporate management. Look for local or even virtual events that focus on leadership—every connection counts!
✨Engage in Professional Networks
Join professional management associations relevant to your career goals. These networks often host workshops, panels, and networking events that can put you in front of hiring managers. Plus, they can give you the scoop on upcoming roles, such as the full-time positions with companies like Virgin.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
When reaching out to potential employers, particularly for leadership roles, demonstrate your leadership capabilities with real examples. Share stories from your previous positions that illustrate how you handled challenges and drove results. This will help you stand out when you apply to places like Virgin.
✨Tailor Your LinkedIn Presence
Ensure your LinkedIn profile is specifically tailored to corporate leadership. Highlight achievements, showcase relevant content and engage with posts in management groups. This not only builds your credibility but keeps you on the radar of companies looking for candidates like you as they post full-time opportunities.
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Relationship Director - 3rd Party in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Leadership Skills:In the corporate leadership and management field, it's essential to highlight your leadership experience. Use your CV to flesh out examples of how you've led teams to success or managed significant projects. We want to see specific instances where your actions made a tangible difference in your previous roles!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers talk, especially in management! When detailing your achievements in your CV or cover letter, don’t just say you improved team performance. Instead, say you boosted productivity by 30% over six months through effective strategy implementation. This makes your application pop and shows us what you can bring to Virgin.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to narrate your professional journey. We’re looking for motivation and a clear understanding of what corporate leadership means to you. Dive into your aspirations and how they align with the values and vision of Virgin. Make it personal – we want to get to know you!
Tailor Your CV for Management Roles:Ensure your CV reflects the management skills that are essential for this role. Focus on competencies like strategic planning, team building, and problem-solving. Use a clean layout, and don’t forget to align your experiences with those keywords mentioned in the job listing. This will help you stand out from the crowd!
How to prepare for a job interview at Virgin
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
You’ll want to thoroughly convey your unique approach to leadership. During the interview with Virgin, be ready to share real-life examples of how you've inspired and motivated teams in the past. Think about specific achievements that illustrate your strategic thinking and your ability to drive results.
✨Brush Up on Management Theories
Expect some technical questions related to management theories and practices. Brush up on concepts like transformational leadership, servant leadership, or situational leadership. Be prepared to discuss how you would apply these theories to the role at Virgin, especially in the specific context of the challenges they’re currently facing.
✨Craft Your Vision for the Company
Since this is a full-time leadership role, spending time thinking about your vision for Virgin could really set you apart. Consider potential strategies for growth and how you would lead teams towards achieving them. This shows not just enthusiasm, but also strategic foresight that they’ll likely be looking for in a candidate.
✨Emphasise Team Dynamics and Culture
In corporate leadership, team dynamics and organisational culture are everything. Be ready to discuss how you've fostered a positive work environment in previous roles. Bring up examples of how you've managed diverse teams effectively—this will resonate well at Virgin as they’re likely seeking a candidate who can enhance their workplace culture.
