At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape and manage strategic partnerships in AI and defence technology.
- Company: Whitespace, a leader in creating smarter AI solutions for enterprises and governments.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, equity participation, four-day work weeks in summer, and early finishes on Fridays.
- Other info: Collaborate with top leaders and drive innovation in high-assurance environments.
- Why this job: Join us to build the future of trusted AI and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: 2+ years in partner management with strong communication and strategic skills.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Whitespace leads in creating smarter, safer AI solutions for enterprises and governments. As AI reshapes industries, many organisations struggle to harness its power responsibly, securely, and at scale. Whitespace bridges this gap with Collective — the AI Operating System for high‑assurance environments.
The Partner Manager will define how Whitespace scales globally by turning partnerships into the core engine of trust, market access, and adoption. You will shape, grow, and manage strategic relationships across defence, hyperscaler, and enterprise technology ecosystems. This role sits at the intersection of strategy, innovation, and execution — combining commercial acumen with a deep understanding of secure‑by‑design AI deployment.
Key Responsibilities
- Partnership Development
- Identify, qualify, and engage strategic partners that align with Whitespace’s product roadmap and mission.
- Structure, negotiate, and formalise agreements across OEM, channel, alliance, and GTM frameworks.
- Design and deliver joint go‑to‑market and enablement programmes with hyperscalers, systems integrators, and sovereign technology organisations.
- Build frameworks that ensure compliance with secure‑by‑design and data sovereignty principles.
- Ecosystem Management
- Develop and manage a high‑performing partner ecosystem across defence, AI, and enterprise verticals.
- Establish clear success metrics and quarterly reviews to track partner performance, pipeline contribution, and shared outcomes.
- Lead cross‑functional initiatives that connect partnerships with Product, Engineering, and Delivery priorities.
- Strategic Alignment
- Work with the Chief Partnership Officer and COO to influence strategic direction, resource allocation, and partner‑driven investment decisions.
- Surface market intelligence, policy developments, and funding programmes shaping sovereign AI ecosystems.
- Represent Whitespace at industry events, trade missions, and policy forums, building visibility and credibility with key stakeholders.
- Internal Collaboration
- Coordinate across Product, Engineering, and Commercial teams to operationalise partner commitments.
- Support onboarding, CRM visibility, and performance dashboards for partner‑related activity.
- Champion a partnership mindset throughout the company — creating repeatable frameworks for collaboration and trust.
Role Requirements
- Minimum 2 years in partner, channel, or alliance management within AI, defence technology, enterprise software, or related sectors.
- Proven success establishing partnerships that delivered measurable market or revenue growth.
- Familiarity with regulated or high‑assurance environments (MOD, NATO, government, defence primes, or hyperscalers).
Skills & Attributes
- Strategic thinker with the ability to build and execute long‑term partner strategies.
- Excellent communicator and relationship builder at C‑suite and executive levels.
- Strong commercial judgement and understanding of contractual frameworks.
- Analytical, structured, and capable of simplifying complex ecosystems into actionable plans.
- Operates with autonomy, clarity, and accountability in fast‑moving environments.
What We Offer
- The opportunity to shape the partnership model powering Collective, the AI Operating System for high‑assurance environments.
- Work directly with leadership and world‑class partners across defence, AI, and deep‑tech ecosystems.
- Competitive compensation package including equity participation and performance‑linked incentives.
- Exposure to sovereign and enterprise AI programmes that directly influence national capability and digital transformation agendas.
- Four‑day working weeks during July, August, and December; 3pm Friday finishes all year round.
- A team that values precision, curiosity, and impact over bureaucracy.
Join Whitespace to build the ecosystem that defines the future of trusted, sovereign AI — where innovation meets assurance, and ambition meets purpose.
Partner Manager in Belfast employer: Whitespace
Whitespace is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, perfect for aspiring engineers eager to develop their skills in AI-powered technology. Located in Belfast, the company offers a unique hybrid working model, a supportive team environment, and generous benefits including a 4-day work week during summer months, early finishes on Fridays, and EMI share options, making it an ideal place for meaningful career growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Partner Manager in Belfast
✨Dive Into Corporate Strategy Communities
Get yourself involved in online communities or forums focused on corporate strategy. Places like LinkedIn groups or specific Slack channels can hook you up with industry insights, trends, and many potential job leads. Don't hesitate to share your thoughts or ask questions; it’ll boost your visibility!
✨Attend Industry Conferences and Events
Keep an eye out for corporate strategy conferences or networking events in your area (or online!). These gatherings are gold mines for meeting hiring managers and making impactful connections. Plus, having a few good conversations can lead to job referrals at companies like Whitespace!
✨Showcase Your Strategy Skills
Create content that showcases your knowledge of corporate strategy—think reports, blogs, or even video discussions. Sharing these on platforms like LinkedIn or Medium can demonstrate your expertise and make you stand out to employers looking for fresh talent.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply for the Partner Manager position at Whitespace via our website! This shows your genuine interest, and who knows, you might just land that interview in a matter of days. Keep your application focused on how you can add value to their strategy team.
We think you need these skills to ace Partner Manager in Belfast
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Strategic Thinking:When crafting your CV and cover letter, highlight your strategic analysis skills. Focus on past experiences where you've effectively assessed market trends or made impactful recommendations. Evidence-based achievements, like improving processes or contributing to significant projects, will help us see your potential for driving corporate strategy at Whitespace.
Tailor Your Narrative:Don’t just send us a generic application! Personalise your cover letter by connecting your experiences and aspirations to Whitespace’s mission and goals. We love seeing candidates who genuinely understand what we do; share how your vision aligns with ours and what you can bring to the table.
Highlight Relevant Academic Credentials:In your CV, make sure to showcase your academic background, especially if you have qualifications in business, economics, or analytics. We appreciate candidates who can back up their skills with relevant degrees or certifications, so don’t be shy about flaunting those achievements!
Utilise Professional Language:While we want you to be yourself, remember that corporate strategy roles demand a level of professionalism in communication. Use clear and concise language in your application materials, ensuring that your ideas come across as well-structured and sophisticated. It’s all about making a great impression right from the written application stage!
How to prepare for a job interview at Whitespace
✨Master the Numbers
Corporate strategy often involves data analysis and financial forecasting. Brush up on your quantitative skills, and be prepared to handle case studies or numerical problems during the interview. We might get questions about how to approach market trends or assess the performance of a hypothetical company — so practice these scenarios!
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarity with strategic frameworks like SWOT, PESTLE, or Porter’s Five Forces can set you apart. We should be ready to discuss how we’d apply these tools to real-world business situations — maybe even relating them to Whitespace. This shows we’re not just theory-happy but can articulate our practical application.
✨Engage in Strategic Conversations
In a full-time role like this, it’s crucial to show that we're engaged and informed about current trends in the industry. Keep up with major news and prepare to discuss how recent developments could impact strategic decisions at Whitespace. This will demonstrate our passion and proactive approach to the field.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
Whether through internships or projects, we should highlight any experience that relates to corporate strategy. Have specific examples ready to talk about how we’ve contributed to strategic growth or improvements. It's about showcasing our unique journey and how it will bring value to Whitespace.
