New Partnerships Development Director

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: New Partnerships Development Director

🔹 Company: Sainsbury's

🔹 Location: London, United Kingdom

🔹 Job Type: Full time

🔹 Category: Retail

🔹 Date Posted: 2025-04-30

🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years

🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days per week in the office)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Driving significant profit growth through Nectar360’s data-driven offerings
• Leading the growth strategy for the Nectar Coalition programme
• Managing the end-to-end sales process, from prospect identification to closing deals
• Building strong relationships with partners and stakeholders
• Delivering and growing £20m in revenue from Loyalty and Data Partnership capabilities

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset and strong commercial acumen to drive growth and manage complex partnerships.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Develop and execute growth strategies for the Nectar Coalition programme

✅ Identify, prospect, and engage with potential new partners

✅ Manage the end-to-end sales process, from initial outreach to contract negotiation and handover

✅ Build and maintain strong relationships with partners, stakeholders, and internal teams

✅ Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver partnership propositions that enhance customer engagement and profitability

✅ Deliver and grow £20m in revenue from Loyalty and Data Partnership capabilities

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of independence and requires the ability to manage multiple projects and stakeholders simultaneously.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field (or equivalent experience)

Experience: 10+ years of experience in the Loyalty and Data Driven Marketing industry, with a proven track record in partnership development and commercial strategy

Required Skills:

• Proven commercial acumen and strategic thinking
• Excellent relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills
• Strong negotiation skills and the ability to pivot approaches as needed
• Experience leading complex cross-functional projects
• Independence of thought and an entrepreneurial spirit
• Fluency in English (written and spoken)

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working in the retail or supermarket industry
• Familiarity with customer engagement and loyalty programmes
• Knowledge of data propositions and data-driven marketing strategies

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in the retail or supermarket industry may have an advantage in understanding the specific business context and customer needs.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £80,000 - £100,000 per annum (AI-estimated, based on industry standards for similar roles and experience levels)

Benefits:

• Competitive pension scheme
• Generous staff discount
• Life assurance
• Health and wellbeing support
• Flexible working arrangements

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexibility to work from home for 2 days per week

ASSUMPTION: The provided salary range is an estimate based on industry standards and may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Retail, specifically in the supermarket and food groceries sector

Company Size: 10,001+ employees, providing a large and diverse work environment with ample opportunities for growth and collaboration

Founded: 1869, with a rich history and established brand presence in the UK

Company Description:

• Sainsbury's is the UK’s second-biggest retailer, focusing on great value and convenient shopping across its family of brands
• The company is committed to putting food back at the heart of its business and investing in technology and people to take Sainsbury’s to the next level
• Sainsbury's is dedicated to creating a more resilient UK food system and attracting and connecting with customers through innovative strategies

Company Specialties:

• Retail (food & groceries, clothing & general merchandise)
• Digital & Technology
• Banking & Finance
• Online retail

Company Website: sainsburys.jobs

ASSUMPTION: Sainsbury's is a well-established company with a strong brand presence and a commitment to innovation and growth in the retail sector.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: Senior leadership role, reporting directly to the Head of Commercial

Reporting Structure: This role does not have direct reports but will work closely with cross-functional teams, including Product & Tech, to deliver partnership propositions

Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with 3 days per week in the office and 2 days working from home

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to expand the partnership portfolio and take on additional responsibilities
• Opportunities to work on strategic projects and influence the company's growth strategy
• Possibility to develop leadership skills by managing and mentoring team members in the future

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to make a tangible impact on the company's success.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Modern office space with collaborative work areas and meeting rooms

Office Location(s): 33 Holborn, London, EC1N 2HT, GB

Geographic Context:

• London is a vibrant, multicultural city with a thriving business ecosystem
• The Holborn office is conveniently located near public transportation, shops, and restaurants
• London offers a wide range of cultural, entertainment, and leisure activities

Work Schedule: Standard office hours, with flexibility to work from home for 2 days per week

ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement provides a good balance between in-office collaboration and remote work flexibility.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application and resume screening
• Phone or video call with the hiring manager
• In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager and other stakeholders
• Final interview with the Head of Commercial

Key Assessment Areas:

• Commercial acumen and strategic thinking
• Relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills
• Negotiation skills and ability to pivot approaches
• Experience leading complex cross-functional projects
• Alignment with Sainsbury's values and company culture

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Demonstrate your understanding of the retail industry and Sainsbury's business
• Prepare examples of your successful partnership development and commercial strategy experience
• Showcase your ability to manage complex projects and stakeholders

ATS Keywords: Partnership Development, Commercial Strategy, Relationship Management, Consultative Sales, Negotiation, Cross-Functional Leadership, Data Analysis, Stakeholder Engagement, Revenue Growth, Entrepreneurial Spirit, Project Management, Strategic Thinking, Networking, Customer Engagement, Loyalty Programs, Data Propositions

ASSUMPTION: The interview process will focus on assessing the candidate's commercial acumen, strategic thinking, and ability to build and maintain strong relationships with partners and stakeholders.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
• Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)

ASSUMPTION: The required tools and technologies for this role are standard in the industry and should be familiar to candidates with relevant experience.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Putting customers first
• Working together as one team
• Being open and honest
• Taking responsibility
• Continuously improving

Work Style:

• Collaborative and inclusive
• Results-driven and focused on delivering commercial outcomes
• Adaptable and resilient in the face of change
• Innovative and open to new ideas

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you demonstrate putting customers first in your work?
• Can you provide an example of when you worked collaboratively with others to achieve a commercial goal?
• How do you approach continuous improvement in your role, and what steps have you taken to drive change or innovation?

ASSUMPTION: Sainsbury's values a collaborative and inclusive work environment, with a focus on delivering commercial outcomes and continuous improvement.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing long sales cycles and maintaining a tenacious yet considered approach to relationship management
• Navigating a constantly changing industry background and its regulations
• Balancing the need for independence of thought with the requirement to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams
• Adapting to the hybrid work arrangement and maintaining productivity in both office and remote environments

ASSUMPTION: The role presents unique challenges that require a strategic mindset, strong commercial acumen, and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role is unique in its focus on driving growth through Nectar360’s data-driven offerings and managing the end-to-end sales process for the Nectar Coalition programme
• Compared to other partnership development roles, this position offers a higher degree of independence and strategic influence
• Career progression may involve taking on additional responsibilities or moving into a leadership role within the Commercial team or the broader business

ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to drive growth and make a significant impact on the company's success, with potential for career progression in the future.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing a new partnership proposition for a major consumer-facing brand, from initial outreach to contract negotiation and delivery
• Conducting a comprehensive market analysis to identify new partnership opportunities and revenue growth areas
• Managing a cross-functional project to enhance the Nectar proposition, meeting both partners' and Nectar's commercial ambitions

ASSUMPTION: The sample projects provided are representative of the types of initiatives the successful candidate may be involved in, demonstrating the role's focus on driving growth and managing complex partnerships.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the current partnership portfolio and how this role will contribute to its growth and development?
• How does the Commercial team collaborate with other departments, such as Product & Tech, to deliver partnership propositions?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
• How does Sainsbury's support the professional development and growth of its employees in this role?
• What are the most challenging aspects of this role, and how can I best prepare to succeed in them?

ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful and insightful questions during the interview process will demonstrate the candidate's interest in the role and their understanding of the company's business and culture.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Prepare examples of your successful partnership development and commercial strategy experience
• Demonstrate your understanding of the retail industry and Sainsbury's business
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the role

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.