Strategic Partnerships Lead

About NextStep

NextStep connects top consulting talent with high-potential opportunities through smart, AI-powered matching. We partner with ambitious companies across sectors to place experienced professionals in roles where they can have a real impact. On behalf of a client in our partner network, we are currently looking for a Strategic Partnerships Lead to join their team.

About the Company

Our client is a Series B edtech company headquartered in London, providing an AI-powered learning and development platform to enterprise clients across financial services, consulting, and professional services. With 180 corporate clients, £18m ARR, and teams in London, New York, and Singapore, the business is growing rapidly and looking to partnerships as a key channel for its next phase of expansion. The Strategic Partnerships Lead is a newly created role reporting to the Chief Revenue Officer.

The Role

As Strategic Partnerships Lead, you will build the company's partnerships function from scratch, identifying, structuring, and activating commercial relationships with consulting firms, HR technology platforms, and professional bodies that extend the company's reach and deepen its value proposition. This is a commercially driven role with a high degree of autonomy and significant upside tied to performance.

What You'll Do

• Develop the partnerships strategy, identifying the highest-value partner categories and the commercial models that align incentives effectively.

• Originate and close partnerships with consulting firms, HR platforms, professional associations, and content providers.

• Negotiate and structure partnership agreements, working with Legal and Finance to ensure commercial and contractual terms are sound.

• Own the ongoing management of the partner portfolio, tracking performance, deepening relationships, and expanding value over time.

• Work with Marketing and Sales to integrate partners into the go-to-market motion and track contribution to ARR.

What We're Looking For

• 5–8 years of experience in partnerships, business development, or commercial roles, with a track record of building and closing partnership deals in a B2B SaaS or professional services context.

• Strong commercial instincts, able to identify where partnerships create genuine value and structure agreements accordingly.

• Credible and persuasive with senior stakeholders at partner organisations.

• Self-starter who can build a function without a playbook and is energised by working in a fast-moving environment.

• Experience in edtech, HR technology, or professional services is a strong advantage.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base salary of £75,000 – £95,000, depending on experience.

• Uncapped performance bonus tied to partnership-sourced ARR.

• Equity options in a high-growth, venture-backed business.

• Private health insurance, enhanced pension, and hybrid working from London.

How to Apply

To be considered for this role, please create your profile at getnextstep.com. Once your profile is complete, our matching system will evaluate your background against the role criteria and match you with the company if it's a strong fit. No cover letter required.

This role is listed by NextStep on behalf of our client. All applications are handled with confidentiality.

Compensation Range: £75K - £95K