Head of Partnerships

Exciting Opportunity: Head of Strategic Partnerships – European Wholesale Automotive

Are you a strategic thinker with a passion for driving growth and forging impactful partnerships in the automotive industry? Cox Automotive is seeking a Head of Strategic Partnerships to lead our partnership initiatives across Europe, enhancing our market presence and delivering value to all stakeholders. This is your chance to play a pivotal role in expanding our footprint and aligning commercial collaborations with our growth objectives.

As the Head of Strategic Partnerships, you will lead a dynamic, high-performing team, engage with key partners, and drive impactful collaborations in the European wholesale automotive sector. This is a senior leadership role requiring a blend of strategic vision, hands-on execution, and exceptional relationship management skills.

What You’ll Do:

Team Leadership & Management:

• Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing partnerships team across multiple European markets.
• Define clear team goals, roles, and responsibilities aligned with the company’s strategic objectives.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement within the team.
• Provide coaching, performance management, and professional development opportunities.

Partnership Strategy Development:

• Develop and execute a comprehensive partnership strategy that aligns with the company’s growth objectives in the European wholesale automotive market.
• Identify and evaluate key market opportunities and potential partners that complement and enhance our value proposition.
• Establish partnership goals, success metrics, and performance indicators.

Partner Identification & Acquisition:

• Proactively research and identify strategic service, supplier, data, and other potential partners.
• Lead outreach efforts through networking, industry events, and targeted campaigns.
• Conduct thorough evaluations of potential partners to ensure a strategic fit and commercial viability.

Negotiation & Deal Structuring:

• Lead end-to-end negotiations, ensuring mutually beneficial agreements aligned with the company’s strategic goals.
• Collaborate with legal and finance teams to draft, review, and finalise commercial agreements.
• Ensure seamless onboarding of new partners, providing the necessary resources and support.

Partnership Management & Optimisation:

• Build and maintain long-term, strategic relationships with partners, serving as the primary point of contact.
• Develop joint business plans with partners, tracking objectives, milestones, and performance.
• Identify opportunities to deepen existing partnerships through upselling, cross-selling, and new initiatives.
• Monitor partnership performance and optimise outcomes.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Collaborate with sales, marketing, product, and operations teams to integrate partnership initiatives smoothly.
• Provide feedback from partners to inform product development and market strategies.
• Coordinate co-branded marketing campaigns to maximise partnership visibility and impact.

Market Analysis & Competitive Intelligence:

• Stay up to date with industry trends, competitor partnerships, and market developments in the European wholesale automotive sector.
• Use market intelligence to refine partnership strategies and maintain a competitive edge.

Reporting & Stakeholder Communication:

• Provide regular reports and updates to senior leadership on partnership performance and new opportunities.
• Present business cases for new partnerships, including financial impact, strategic benefits, and growth projections.

What We’re Looking For:

Skills & Experience:

• 7+ years of experience in strategic partnerships, business development, or commercial roles within the automotive wholesale or related industries.
• Proven track record in sourcing, negotiating, and managing successful commercial partnerships across multiple European markets.
• Strong leadership experience in building and leading high-performing teams in a multicultural, remote environment.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Fluency in English; proficiency in additional European languages is a plus.
• Deep knowledge of the European wholesale automotive market and trends.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret market data and partnership performance metrics.

Key Traits:

• Strategic, commercially minded, and results-driven leader with a hands-on approach.
• Excellent problem-solving and communication abilities.
• Data-driven decision-maker who thrives in fast-paced, high-growth environments.
• Ability to manage cross-functional projects and collaborate with multiple departments.
• Strong critical thinking skills to apply insights, make recommendations, and navigate emerging opportunities.

Why Join Us?

At Cox Automotive, we’re at the forefront of transforming the automotive industry. As the Head of Strategic Partnerships, you’ll have the opportunity to shape the future of our business, drive innovation in the European wholesale automotive market, and work with an exceptional team. If you're ready to lead a high-impact, strategic function and make a lasting difference, we want to hear from you.

Ready to take the next step in your career? Apply now to join our team and help us revolutionise the future of automotive partnerships!