NavCo Growth Lead - Strategic Partnerships

The purpose of this role is to support the Solutions Director with the development of solutions programs. This includes the program management of the solutions development process on behalf of the Solution Director, alongside frequent communication with stakeholders within the lines of businesses and the management of subject matter expert communities for each solutions effort. Job Description: Dentsu and Santander are partnering to drive growth and prosperity by helping Small and Mid-sized Businesses to access International Trade through a world-first, global platform and ecosystem of expertise, insight and connections. This role will be an important member of the team behind our platform launch and global success. About the Role The Growth Lead – Strategic Partnerships will be responsible for developing and executing strategies that drive subscriber growth and business development through partnerships with key organizations, including Chambers of Commerce, government departments, and industry bodies. The target subscribers are SME businesses in the manufacturing, food and beverage, and consumer goods sectors. This role will involve hustling to create and negotiate reciprocal agreements that not only foster international trade but also bring in new subscribers through tailored marketing initiatives. The ideal candidate will be a hands-on, results-driven professional who thrives in networking, relationship building, and strategic execution. Key Responsibilities Strategic Partnership Development: Identify and cultivate strategic partnerships with Chambers of Commerce, government agencies, industry bodies, and trade associations specifically in the manufacturing, food and beverage, and consumer goods sectors. Negotiate and formalize reciprocal agreements that promote international trade and open up new business opportunities for both parties, focusing on subscriber acquisition. Establish long-term relationships with key partners, ensuring consistent collaboration to drive subscriber growth. Promoting International Trade and SME Subscriber Growth: Develop and execute marketing strategies to promote international trade opportunities for SMEs across our target sectors (manufacturing, food and beverage, and consumer goods). Leverage strategic partnerships to expand our global reach, driving new subscriber acquisition by targeting the right SMEs in key international markets. Align partnership goals with subscriber acquisition initiatives, ensuring effective lead generation and conversion through joint marketing efforts. Co-Branding and Joint Marketing Campaigns: Collaborate with partners to create co-branded marketing campaigns that target SMEs within the manufacturing, food and beverage, and consumer goods industries. Develop content and materials that highlight the value of our subscription offering and the advantages of international trade for businesses in these sectors. Plan and execute joint webinars, industry events, and online/offline campaigns that generate new leads and recruit subscribers. Lead Generation & Network Building: Actively engage in business networking, leveraging social media, industry conferences, events, and Chambers of Commerce to build relationships and generate leads. Identify and pursue new business opportunities for subscriber acquisition through networking and leveraging partnerships. Build a solid network of decision-makers within target SMEs and foster relationships that can lead to long-term business partnerships. Sales and Marketing Alignment: Work closely with the sales and marketing teams to ensure alignment on lead generation goals, ensuring that partnership-driven leads are converted into new subscribers. Provide sales teams with actionable insights and resources from partnerships to support prospecting and subscriber acquisition. Use data-driven insights to optimize marketing campaigns and track ROI from strategic partnerships and events. Performance Measurement & Reporting: Monitor, analyze, and report on the performance of partnership marketing campaigns and subscriber growth initiatives. Track key metrics such as leads generated, subscriber acquisition, and ROI from partnership-driven activities. Provide recommendations based on performance data to optimize future campaigns and improve overall success in achieving business objectives. Industry Networking and Event Participation: Attend relevant industry events, trade shows, and networking meetings to build relationships with key stakeholders in the manufacturing, food and beverage, and consumer goods sectors. Organize and manage events (both virtual and in-person) to showcase the value of our subscription offering and engage potential SME subscribers. Leverage these events to promote our partnership programs and recruit new subscribers. Thought Leadership and Industry Visibility: Position the company as an industry leader by sharing insights, industry trends, and thought leadership content through partnerships and networks. Engage in forums, panels, and discussions within the manufacturing, food and beverage, and consumer goods industries to increase brand awareness and recognition. Qualifications Education: Bachelor degree in Marketing, Business Administration, International Relations, or a related field. An MBA or advanced degree is a plus. Experience: Minimum of 7-10 years of experience in B2B marketing, strategic partnerships, or business development, with a proven track record of delivering growth through partnerships. Experience working within or with SMEs in the manufacturing, food and beverage, or consumer goods sectors is highly desirable. Industry Expertise: Experience in the manufacturing, food and beverage, or consumer goods sectors, or familiarity with the challenges and needs of SMEs in these industries. Partnerships & Networking: Proven ability to build and maintain high-level relationships with Chambers of Commerce, government bodies, industry associations, and SME businesses. Lead Generation & Subscriber Growth Focus: Strong experience in using strategic partnerships to drive subscriber acquisition and lead generation efforts. Negotiation Skills: Demonstrated experience in negotiating partnership agreements and managing strategic relationships. Analytical Skills: Ability to track, analyze, and report on performance data, optimizing partnership strategies based on insights. Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to create compelling content and engage with senior decision-makers. Project Management: Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to juggle multiple initiatives at once. A few of the benefits You'll have a great compensation package, private health & dental insurance, corporate discounts and career development through Dentsu University, and free access to LinkedIn learning 29+ days of annual leave (25 days of regular holidays, birthdays off and 3 additional wellness days) We also offer the opportunity to volunteer for up to 2 days per year and tend to close down the agency between Christmas and New Years You'll have a hybrid working schedule, with flexible start/end hours Inclusion and Diversity Our diverse and inclusive culture enables our employees to bring their whole selves to work and be proud of doing so. For us, this is the foundation for great innovation which, in turn, generates better outcomes for our people, partners and communities. This is why we encourage applications from people with disabilities, and of all ages, nationalities, backgrounds and cultures. We are happy to discuss flexible and agile approaches to working for all our roles – we can’t promise we will be able to offer you everything you want or need but we do promise to discuss it with you openly and honestly. If you have any reasonable adjustment needs arising from a disability or medical condition to fully participate in the recruitment process, please discuss this with our recruitment teams. #LI-Hybrid Location: London Brand: Merkle Time Type: Full time Contract Type: Permanent Can’t find a suitable job? Sign up for job alerts tailored to your interests and be first in line for new opportunities. About dentsu For over 120 years, innovation has been a core tenet of our offering – exploring new ways to reach, engage and nurture relationships with audiences. Together we drive a multiplier effect for clients at a global scale, through the development of Integrated Growth Solutions that are underpinned by our promise to clients: innovating to impact. Be a force for good. Sustainability is a vital part of our business and an important area of focus for our clients. We’re leading the way – helping to build a more sustainable planet. Dream loud. In this moment of transformation, we need our people to be fearless, embracing change and ambiguity, driven by the love for their work and excitement for the future. Team without limits. We create opportunities for connection and collaboration between our colleagues and clients, building a sense of belonging and having some fun along the way. Find out more about us Who we are Our Social Impact Our work