At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic partnerships and drive revenue growth in the financial services sector.
- Company: Distinct Cremations, a forward-thinking company with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 33 days holiday, pension options, and ongoing learning opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a supportive team culture.
- Why this job: Be a key player in shaping our growth journey and making a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in business development and building partnerships in regulated sectors.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
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’re 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:
- 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’ll 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.
- 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.
Head of Strategic Partnerships in Cannock employer: WesterleighGroup
Distinct Cremations is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee growth and well-being, offering a competitive salary alongside generous benefits such as 33 days of holiday, a robust pension scheme, and private healthcare options. Our collaborative work culture fosters innovation and hands-on leadership, allowing you to make a significant impact in a high-stakes role while enjoying the flexibility of hybrid or remote working arrangements. Join us in shaping the future of our business as we embark on an exciting growth journey in the financial services sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Strategic Partnerships in Cannock
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Strategic Partnerships in Cannock
Some tips for your application 🫡
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How to prepare for a job interview at WesterleighGroup
✨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 WesterleighGroup.
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✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former WesterleighGroup 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.
