Strategic Partnerships Manager

Forest Bikes is looking for a Strategic Partnerships Manager.

Overview:

• Full-time role
• Language: English
• Location: London, UK
• Salary: not applicable
• Applications closing: until filled

Job Description

We're looking for a Strategic Partnerships Manager to own the full sales cycle, from identifying and closing new opportunities to managing and retaining high-value partners. You will be within the Sales Department and report to the VP of Sales.

This is a 360 commercial role that combines brand sales, strategic partnerships, and business development. You'll be responsible for bringing in new sponsors and advertisers, forging API and loyalty integrations, and managing a growing pipeline of strategic opportunities.

You'll also lead and coach an Account Executive, ensuring effective support across prospecting, research, and partner management, with clear scope to grow the team as the partnerships function expands.

It's a high-impact, relationship-driven position that blends sales, creativity, and strategy, perfect for someone with strong commercial instincts, leadership potential, and confidence engaging senior decision-makers.

Responsibilities Sales and Business Development

• Proactively identify and generate new partnership opportunities with brands, mobility apps, booking and loyalty platforms.
• Build and manage a strong pipeline of prospects across multiple sectors.
• Develop compelling commercial proposals and partnership packages tailored to partner objectives.
• Confidently hold commercial conversations and negotiate complex, high-value deals with C-suite executives and senior stakeholders.
• Close sponsorship deals (including physical branding on the Forest bikes) that drive revenue and strengthen Forest's commercial ecosystem.

Partnerships Delivery and Account Management

• Own relationships end-to-end: from onboarding and activation to long term account growth and retention.
• Work with internal teams (Marketing, Product, and Operations) to deliver and optimise partnership performance.
• Maintain ongoing communication with partners, ensuring satisfaction and identifying upsell or renewal opportunities.
• Track and report on pipeline, conversion rates, and revenue outcomes.

Team Leadership

• Manage and mentor an Account Executive to support lead generation, pipeline tracking, account management and partner success.
• Foster a high performance, collaborative culture within the partnerships team.
• Shape the structure and processes of a growing commercial partnerships division as the function scales.

Strategic Collaboration

• Proactively identify and generate new partnership opportunities with brands, mobility apps, booking and loyalty platforms.
• Build and manage a strong pipeline of prospects across multiple sectors.
• Develop compelling commercial proposals and partnership packages tailored to partner objectives.
• Confidently hold commercial conversations and negotiate complex, high-value deals with C-suite executives and senior stakeholders.
• Close sponsorship deals (including physical branding on the Forest bikes) that drive revenue and strengthen Forest's commercial ecosystem.

Role Requirements

You're commercially sharp, entrepreneurial, and motivated by building something new. You're comfortable leading from the front, prospecting and closing high value deals, while developing others to follow your lead.

We're looking for someone who:

• Has 4+ years' experience in partnerships, business development, or media sales.
• Has experience managing the full sales cycle, prospecting, pitching, negotiating, closing, and account management.
• Excellent communicator, able to articulate complex matters clearly and concisely, while keeping all relevant stakeholders informed and aligned at all times.
• The ability to adapt as products and processes evolve and updating standard operating procedures for the team to follow
• Not afraid to fail and learn from mistakes
• Is confident negotiating high value commercial deals with senior and C suite decision makers.
• Has experience leading or mentoring junior team members.
• Understands how to sell brand value through sponsorship, integration, and media led collaborations.
• Is motivated by innovation, sustainability, and building long term strategic value.

How to apply?

To apply for this role, please fill in the application form.