Partnerships Specialist

Why this role matters

Network Services needs to establish a coherent, end to end contract lifecycle management (CLM) function to bring rigor and compliance to >£500m of contract spend with the aim to reduce contract and value leakage. In order to realise this, the In-Life Partner Management team will implement and maintain a contract management process with a focus on supplier performance, implementing continuous improvement across the supplier base and establish a sustainable value pipeline that delivers the high quality standards expected by our customers.

The Partnerships Specialist works with cross functional teams in ensuring the seamless delivery of supplier commitments, defining BT Networks’ third-party approach, and positions BT Networks with select suppliers existing within the sector or sector related services and product streams.

In this role, you will be part of a diverse and passionate team who are focused on delivering outcomes. This is a new team and offers stretch and development and the opportunity to grow and develop your career.

This role can be based in London, Bristol, Birmingham or Manchester. Our hybrid working model means you are required to be in the office 3 days per week.

You'll have the following responsibilities

This is a multi faceted role where you will take ownership for a set of supplier contracts and manage the in-life relationship to provide value generating opportunities, short and long range risk mitigation and ensure supply chain sustainability.

You will manage ongoing contract management activities throughout its lifecycle, including variations, amendments, price adjustments and management of contract change notices.

In addition, you will implement appropriate supplier governance to effectively manage third parties, participate in supplier relationship governance discussions, monitor targets and key performance indicators (KPIs) reporting and publish a holistic view of supplier contract performance, ensuring that any contracted services are fit-for-purpose and value for money.

Additional responsibilities:

• Develop strong relationships with key internal and external stakeholders to deliver objectives. 
• Coordinate with stakeholders to maximise the value of contracts throughout BT Network Services to bring optimised commercial constructs.
• Identify process improvement and continuous improvement initiatives that will help BT Network Services meet its budgeted MTP (Medium Term Plan) obligations. 
• Manages and grows partnerships for BT Network Services providing a clear direction to the leadership on how cross platform collaboration opportunities exist, informed by market intelligence.
• Contributes to the wider partner management strategy that targets all aspects of services provided by partners ensuring performance.
• Implements ways to improve working processes within the area of partnership management.
• Coordinates the alignment of key partners with group partnership strategies, working with critical stakeholders across the unit to achieve objectives, ensuring shared objectives and cost-effective partnerships.
• Identifies and builds new relationships with strategic partners, with the objective of agreeing areas of mutual beneficial value amongst potential partners.
• Participates in regular review meetings with the suppliers’ account teams to report and review performance. Travel will be essential in this role in order to build relationships with stakeholders.

You'll have the following skills and experience

Ideally you will have a background in partnerships / supplier management or telecoms operations.

Skills and experience include:

•    Managing risk - You act as a subject matter expert in identifying, assessing and responding to risks. You apply expert judgement to consider the business opportunities and advise key decision makers so they take the right risks at the right time.

•    Use data analytics - You coordinate and establish the development and use of data analytics to make decisions. You provide comprehensive commercial expertise to deliver data analytics capability.

•    Measuring effectiveness - You identify, set up and modify reports and tools to track operational performance for multiple areas. You guide others to review, analyse and interpret the data to generate insights for decision-making.

•    Business partnership  - You advise your stakeholders and help them to navigate through business changes. You use other subject matter experts as needed to develop solutions and appropriately challenge.

•    Supplier management - You identify and select new suppliers to align with our strategic goals. You lead supplier relationships and take responsibility for managing performance levels and alignment with regulatory requirements.

•     Be agile - You actively demonstrate collaborative ways of working and continuous improvement. You encourage their adoption where necessary to deliver the best results for the customer.

Benefits

•    10% on target bonus
•    BT Pension scheme, minimum 5% Employee contribution, BT contribution 10%
•    From January 2025, equal family leave:  receive 18 weeks at full pay, 8 weeks at half pay and 26 weeks at the statutory rate. It’s for all parents, no matter how your family is made up.
•    Enhanced women’s health support: including help with menopause symptoms, cancer screenings, period care and more.
•    25 days annual leave (not including bank holidays), increasing with service
•    24/7 private virtual GP appointments for UK colleagues
•    2 weeks carer’s leave 
•    World-class training and development opportunities
•    Option to join BT Shares Saving schemes

Our leadership standards

Looking in:
Leading inclusively and Safely
I inspire and build trust through self-awareness, honesty and integrity.
Owning outcomes
I take the right decisions that benefit the broader organisation.

Looking out:
Delivering for the customer
I execute brilliantly on clear priorities that add value to our customers and the wider business.
Commercially savvy
I demonstrate strong commercial focus, bringing an external perspective to decision-making.

Looking to the future:
Growth mindset
I experiment and identify opportunities for growth for both myself and the organisation.
Building for the future
I build diverse future-ready teams where all individuals can be at their best.