Strategic Relationship Director (Hiring Immediately)

Are you a commercially savvy relationship builder who knows how to turn great partnerships into something even bigger? Someone who can spot untapped potential, challenge the status quo and inspire a team to raise the bar?

We're looking for a Strategic Relationship Director to help shape the future of partnerships at Virgin Red, the rewards club from Virgin. You'll take the lead on a portfolio of exciting third-party brands and Virgin companies, finding fresh ways to grow these relationships, create brilliant customer experiences and unlock new commercial opportunities.

This isn't a role for someone who's happy to keep things ticking along. We want someone who's curious, ambitious and always looking for what's next. You'll bring a proactive, entrepreneurial approach to growing partnerships, combining commercial thinking, customer insights and a genuine passion for building relationships that go the distance.

As part of our Loyalty Leadership Team, you'll lead and inspire a talented team of partnership professionals, championing fresh ideas, challenging conventional thinking and making sure we're making the most of every opportunity. With the backing of an iconic global brand and plenty of room to make your mark, this is your chance to help take Virgin Red's partnerships to the next level.

What you’ll be getting stuck into

• Taking ownership of a portfolio of third-party partnerships and Virgin companies, from major household names to exciting smaller brands, finding new ways to grow their commercial performance and deliver more value for customers.

• Building brilliant relationships with senior leaders and decision-makers, becoming a trusted strategic partner who can influence, challenge and uncover opportunities that benefit everyone involved.

• Spotting untapped potential within existing partnerships, proactively creating new opportunities, shaping ambitious propositions and navigating complex negotiations and longer deal cycles to turn great ideas into lasting commercial success.

• Leading, coaching and inspiring a team of Partner Directors, Leads and Managers, setting clear expectations, raising the performance bar and creating a culture of accountability, curiosity and high performance.

• Using data, customer insights and commercial analysis to understand what's working, identify opportunities for growth and make smart decisions. You'll also champion the use of AI and new technology to help your team work smarter and think bigger.

• Making the most of the wider Virgin family, bringing together teams across Trading, Finance, Marketing, Technology and beyond to create joined-up partnerships and customer experiences that deliver real results.

• Keeping your finger on the pulse of what's happening in the market, getting out there to meet partners, spotting emerging trends and bringing fresh ideas, industry insights and best practice back to the team and wider business.

What you’ll bring

• A strong track record of managing and growing significant commercial partnerships, with the ability to spot new opportunities, negotiate complex deals and build relationships that deliver lasting value. You'll be just as comfortable creating opportunities from scratch as you are developing established partnerships.

• Brilliant relationship-building and influencing skills, with the credibility and confidence to engage senior leaders, navigate complex stakeholder relationships and bring people together around a shared vision.

• Proven experience leading and developing high-performing commercial or partnership teams. You know how to inspire others, challenge constructively, lead by example and create a genuine following through your energy, expertise and approach.

• A sharp commercial mind and a data-driven approach, with the ability to turn customer insights and market intelligence into compelling propositions and measurable results. You're curious about AI and how it can help you and your team unlock new opportunities.

• Experience working across complex organisations or multiple stakeholders, with the resilience, sound judgement and patience to navigate ambiguity, competing priorities and longer-term commercial opportunities. Experience in loyalty, rewards or customer experience would be a bonus, but isn't essential.

• A naturally curious, proactive and entrepreneurial mindset. You're someone who gets out into the market, builds connections, shares fresh thinking and isn't afraid to challenge how things have always been done. You'll bring the ambition to think big, the tenacity to make things happen and the warmth to bring people along with you.

What you’ll get in return

We know life doesn’t stop when work starts. So we’ve built our benefits to support you - at work and beyond.

• Life – support when it matters most, with healthcare from day one, family-friendly policies and help for life’s bigger moments
• Work – the foundations that set you up for the future, including a competitive pension, life assurance and options like our EV scheme
• Spirit – space to grow and enjoy the journey, with a personal learning budget, mentoring, volunteering time… and our famous “Screw it, let’s do it” pot

It’s all designed to help you feel your best, do your best, and enjoy the ride - with a few extra Virgin touches along the way (because we don’t really do “standard”).

• Where you’ll work: We come together in the office approximately 2-3 days a week — the rest is yours to work in your own space

Bring your whole self

We welcome people from all walks of life, with all kinds of experiences and ways of thinking. Different perspectives, however your mind works, help us see things differently and do things better.

If there’s anything we can do to support you through the hiring process, just let us know, we’ll always do our best to make it work for you.

We believe in using business as a force for good, creating positive change for our people, our communities and the world around us. That includes being a Fair Chance employer and championing strengths like dyslexic thinking - staying open, listening to individual circumstances and focusing on potential.

Where could this role take you? Your Virgin adventure starts here.