📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Partnerships Manager
🔹 Company: Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS)
🔹 Location: London, England, United Kingdom
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Banking
🔹 Date Posted: July 21, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: Mid-Senior level (5-10 years)
🔹 Remote Status: Remote First
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Managing the NW BaaS third-party portfolio and improving the partnership process.
- Delivering strategic profiling of suppliers for Mettle, RBS's SME banking proposition.
- Ensuring third-party contract requirements are met within timescales, budget, and against the Mettle e2e onboarding process.
- Identifying and implementing third-party process efficiencies to drive strategic value and a seamless self-serve approach.
- Producing meaningful insights through the use of MI and creation of dashboards.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of strategic thinking, operational excellence, and strong stakeholder management skills to succeed in managing partnerships and driving process improvements.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Manage the NW BaaS third-party portfolio and continuously improve the partnership process.
✅ Deliver strategic profiling of suppliers for Mettle, ensuring an appropriate approach to supplier management.
✅ Ensure third-party contract requirements are delivered to timescales, budget, and against the Mettle e2e onboarding process.
✅ Identify and implement third-party process efficiencies to drive strategic value and a seamless self-serve approach.
✅ Produce meaningful insights through the use of MI and creation of dashboards.
✅ Work with Service Management, Controls, and Service Owners to drive third-party operational reviews and monitor contract performance against SLA’s.
✅ Develop category strategies in collaboration with Service Owners and Technology to ensure a best-in-class supplier portfolio that supports business OKRs and project timelines.
✅ Continuously review relevant external market trends, developments, and competitor activity.
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of strategic planning, operational execution, and stakeholder management, requiring strong organizational skills and the ability to balance multiple priorities.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience.
Experience: Proven experience in supplier chain management, strategic sourcing, or a related field within the financial services industry.
Required Skills:
- Knowledge of the e2e Supplier Chain process and methodologies in a Financial Services industry across a broad range of categories, including Technology.
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills to effectively drive efficiencies and optimize processes.
- Understanding of outsourcing banking regulations and how they apply to the business.
- Good working knowledge of all elements of contract law and commercial acumen of supplier commercial models.
- Exceptional task management, influencing, and stakeholder management skills, with a proven track record in project management and delivery, as well as effective presentation and facilitation skills.
- Comprehensive understanding of the commercials of the business and the ability to deploy that knowledge effectively.
Preferred Skills:
- Knowledge of agile practices in a Fintech environment and the ability to work in an iterative way.
- Very strong supply chain experience.
- A professional purchasing qualification (e.g., CIPS) would be an advantage.
ASSUMPTION: While a professional purchasing qualification is not required, it would be beneficial for candidates to have a strong understanding of procurement processes and best practices.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: £45,000 - £65,000 per annum (AI-estimated, based on market research and role requirements)
Benefits:
- Competitive pension scheme.
- Private medical insurance.
- 25 days' holiday, plus bank holidays, and the option to buy and sell up to five days.
- Flexible working arrangements.
Working Hours: 35 hours per week, with flexible working arrangements available.
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on market research and the requirements of the role. The actual salary may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Banking
Company Size: Large (23,792 employees)
Founded: 1727
Company Description:
- RBS is a major retail and commercial bank headquartered in Gogarburn, Scotland.
- The bank offers a wide range of products and services to personal, commercial, and large corporate customers.
- RBS is committed to championing potential in its colleagues and communities.
Company Specialties:
- Retail banking
- Commercial banking
- Corporate banking
- Wealth management
Company Website: rbs.co.uk
ASSUMPTION: RBS is a well-established bank with a broad range of products and services, offering opportunities for career growth and development within the financial services sector.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-Senior level (5-10 years of experience)
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Head of Strategic Partnerships.
Work Arrangement: Remote First, with flexible working arrangements available.
Growth Opportunities:
- Progression to a senior or leadership role within the Partnerships team or related functions.
- Broadening of responsibilities to cover additional categories or business lines.
- Opportunities to work on strategic projects and initiatives, driving business growth and innovation.
ASSUMPTION: This role offers strong growth potential for candidates looking to develop their careers in strategic sourcing, supplier management, or related fields within the financial services industry.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid (Remote First with occasional on-site requirements)
Office Location(s): Gogarburn, Scotland (headquarters); London, England (main office for this role)
Geographic Context:
- London is a major global financial hub, offering a wide range of cultural, social, and professional opportunities.
- The role's remote-first nature allows for greater flexibility in work-life balance and reduced commuting time.
- The UK has a well-established financial services industry, providing ample opportunities for networking and professional development.
Work Schedule: 35 hours per week, with flexible working arrangements available.
ASSUMPTION: The remote-first nature of this role offers candidates the opportunity to work from anywhere in the UK, with occasional on-site requirements for collaboration and team-building purposes.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application and resume screening.
- Phone or video call interview with the hiring manager.
- On-site or virtual interview with key stakeholders.
- Final interview with the Head of Strategic Partnerships.
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Understanding of the e2e Supplier Chain process and methodologies.
- Stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Cultural fit and alignment with RBS's values.
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume to highlight relevant experience in supplier chain management, strategic sourcing, or related fields.
- Prepare examples of your problem-solving skills and experience driving process improvements.
- Demonstrate your understanding of the financial services industry and relevant regulations.
- Showcase your ability to work effectively in a remote and hybrid work environment.
ATS Keywords: Supplier Chain Process, Strategic Thinking, Problem Solving, Outsourcing Banking Regulations, Contract Law, Commercial Acumen, Task Management, Stakeholder Management, Project Management, Presentation Skills, Facilitation Skills, Market Trends Analysis, Category Strategies, Agile Practices, Supply Chain Experience, Purchasing Qualification
ASSUMPTION: RBS uses Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen resumes, so including relevant keywords from the job description will increase the visibility of your application.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Jira)
- Data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau)
- Supplier relationship management software (e.g., Coupa, Jaggaer)
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with relevant tools and technologies will be beneficial for candidates, as they will be used to manage partnerships, track performance, and drive process improvements.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Champion potential
- Do the right thing
- Work together
- Keep it simple
Work Style:
- Collaborative and inclusive
- Agile and adaptable
- Results-driven and accountable
- Customer-focused and innovative
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you align with RBS's values, particularly 'Champion potential' and 'Do the right thing'?
- Are you comfortable working in a remote and hybrid work environment, with occasional on-site requirements?
- Do you have a proactive and collaborative work style, with a focus on driving results and continuous improvement?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates who demonstrate a strong cultural fit with RBS's values and work style will be more likely to succeed in this role and contribute to the bank's success.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a diverse portfolio of third-party relationships, each with unique requirements and priorities.
- Balancing strategic thinking and operational execution in a dynamic and evolving business environment.
- Navigating the complexities of outsourcing banking regulations and ensuring compliance with relevant laws and standards.
- Adapting to a remote-first work environment, with occasional on-site requirements for collaboration and team-building.
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be prepared to tackle these challenges head-on, leveraging their skills and experience to drive success in this role.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to a Strategic Sourcing Manager or a Supplier Relationship Manager, with a focus on driving process improvements and managing third-party relationships.
- In the financial services industry, this role may be comparable to a Vendor Management role or a Procurement Specialist position, with a focus on strategic sourcing and supplier management.
- Career progression in this role may lead to senior or leadership positions within the Partnerships team or related functions, such as Head of Strategic Sourcing or Chief Procurement Officer.
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should consider the unique aspects of this role and how it compares to similar positions in the financial services industry when evaluating their fit and potential career growth opportunities.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a strategic supplier management framework for Mettle, RBS's SME banking proposition.
- Identifying and implementing process efficiencies to drive strategic value and a seamless self-serve approach for third-party suppliers.
- Producing meaningful insights through the use of MI and creation of dashboards to monitor contract performance and drive continuous improvement.
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects provide an indication of the types of initiatives candidates may work on in this role, focusing on strategic thinking, process improvement, and data-driven decision-making.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the current state of the NW BaaS third-party portfolio and the priorities for improvement?
- How does this role collaborate with other teams, such as Service Management, Controls, and Service Owners, to drive third-party operational reviews?
- What are the key challenges facing the Partnerships team, and how can this role address them?
- How does this role support the growth and scale of Mettle, RBS's SME banking proposition, and its strategic objectives?
- What opportunities are there for professional development and career growth within the Partnerships team or related functions?
ASSUMPTION: Asking these questions will help candidates better understand the role's priorities, challenges, and growth opportunities, enabling them to make an informed decision about their fit and potential for success.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link.
- Tailor your resume to highlight relevant experience in supplier chain management, strategic sourcing, or related fields.
- Prepare examples of your problem-solving skills and experience driving process improvements.
- Demonstrate your understanding of the financial services industry and relevant regulations.
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your interest in the role and reiterate your qualifications.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
