Head of Strategic Partnerships in Cannock

Full time hours (however there can be some flexibility for the right candidate).

Salary: Competitive + OTE + Benefits.

Distinct Cremations, Cannock, Staffordshire. Hybrid work is available; however, depending on your location, this could be remote with ad hoc travel to the office.

Initial 6 month FTC with scope for permanent opportunity.

We are looking for a highly commercial and hands-on business development leader with a proven track record of originating and closing strategic partnerships within Insurance / financial services, specifically across IFA distribution channels. This is a high impact, hands-on role with real ownership; you will be responsible for building a new revenue channel from the ground up, working directly with the Managing Director.

The role:

• Distinct is entering its next phase of growth, with a strategic priority to build scalable third-party distribution.
• We are seeking an experienced in IFA Business Development to lead this agenda, owning the identification, negotiation, and activation of institutional and intermediary partnerships.
• This is a senior, hands-on commercial role with a clear mandate to open doors, shape propositions, and close agreements.
• The initial focus will be on Independent Financial Advisers, with scope to expand into adjacent channels over time.

What success looks like in the first 12 months:

• Material impact on revenue growth and the long-term distribution model of the business.
• A clearly defined and prioritised partner pipeline across IFAs.
• Signed distribution agreements with high quality partners - at least one in each channel.
• Early revenue flowing through partner channels, with clear unit economics and scalability.
• Credibility established with senior external stakeholders and internally across product, marketing, and operations.
• A repeatable partnership model that can be scaled and, over time, supported by additional resource.

This rewarding opportunity involves:

• Business development and partnerships: Identify, target and secure new institutional and intermediary partners across IFAs, banks and building societies.
• Lead end to end partnership discussions, including proposition design, commercial negotiation, governance approval, and contract close.
• Develop partner value propositions aligned to partner needs, customer outcomes, and regulatory context.

Commercial and strategic contribution:

• Work with the Managing Director and executive team to shape Distinct's partner distribution strategy and channel economics.
• Own revenue targets and commercial performance for partner led distribution.
• Build robust business cases for new partnerships, including volume assumptions, contribution, and operational implications.

Cross functional delivery:

• Collaborate closely with marketing, product, legal, compliance and operations to onboard, launch and activate partners effectively.
• Ensure partnerships are operationally viable, compliant and deliver a high-quality customer experience.
• Track and report pipeline, conversion, and performance metrics to the executive team.

Future build:

• Establish the foundations for a scalable partner model, with the potential to build a small team as volumes grow.

About you:

• Previous experience in a Senior Business Development Management role specifically building and growing strategic partnerships with IFA networks.
• Comfortable working in an FCA regulated sector (for example, Funeral Plans, Insurance plans / Financial Services etc).
• Proven track record of originating and closing complex B2B or B2B2C partnerships.
• Experience working with IFAs, financial institutions, or similarly structured intermediaries.
• Experience working in growth businesses, scale ups or transformation contexts is strongly preferred.
• Strong commercial judgement and commercial negotiation capability.
• End-to-end deal ownership.
• Credible and confident with senior stakeholders.
• Structured, resilient, and persistent, able to manage long sales cycles.
• Hands-on, delivery focused mindset with low tolerance for ambiguity.
• Collaborative and pragmatic, able to get things done across functions.

You will need to pass a DBS (criminal record) check to be considered for this role.

What We Offer:

• 33 days holiday (includes bank holidays) Pro rata.
• Life Assurance.
• A choice between 7% employer pension contribution or 5% contribution + private healthcare cover (Bupa).
• Ongoing learning & development.
• Access to a wide range of retail discounts and wellbeing support.
• Mindfulness App.
• Mental Health Ambassadors.
• The benefit we hope you'll never need: Free Cremation benefit for Immediate family.
• Bereavement Leave.
• Enhanced maternity & paternity pay.
• Employee Assistance / Occupational health support Program.
• Recognition scheme: Above & Beyond vouchers.
• Free Flu jab.
• Free parking.

What next? Start a career with significance by applying today. We generally advertise vacancies for a minimum of 1 week before reviewing applications. We reserve the right to close the application window sooner if a significant number of applications are received. If you're not contacted, please assume you have been unsuccessful. Unfortunately, feedback is not always possible due to the volume of applications we receive.