Head: Partnerships

Opportunity

Santam Partnership Solutions is focused on growing and developing client base from segments that are not traditional to the Santam base. The strategic direction is financial inclusion and developing new operating income streams.

The role of Head of Partnership is responsible for the strategic and operational direction of the Santam Partnership Solutions business by translating the overall business vision and strategy into executable long, medium- and short-term operational plans, business objectives with set outcomes as well as operational programmes and delivery projects. 

The role is also responsible for strategic business development, unlocking existing and new partnerships, and overall operations of the business.

What will make you successful in this role?

The Head of Partnership is a member of the Santam Partnership Solutions and reports to the CEO, Partner Solutions.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Strategic Partnership Development 
• Develop and implement a comprehensive partnership strategy to support Santam’s business goals. 
• Identify and cultivate strategic alliances with external stakeholders, including insurers, brokers, corporate partners, and industry bodies. 
• Evaluate and negotiate high-impact partnerships that enhance Santam’s product and service offerings. 
• Ensure partnerships drive revenue growth, customer engagement, and competitive advantage. 
• Leadership & Team Management 
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing partnerships team. 
• Establish clear objectives, performance metrics, and accountability for the team. 
• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and strategic thinking. 
• Stakeholder Engagement & Relationship Management 
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to drive successful partnerships. 
• Work closely with internal teams (e.g., Product Development, Marketing, Sales, and Technology) to ensure alignment and integration of partnership initiatives. 
• Act as the key representative of Santam in external partnership discussions, industry events, and forums. 
• Commercial & Risk Management 
• Drive commercial negotiations, ensuring mutually beneficial agreements. 
• Assess and mitigate risks associated with partnerships, ensuring compliance with regulatory and governance standards. 
• Monitor and evaluate the performance of partnerships, adjusting strategies to maximize value. 
• Innovation & Market Intelligence 
• Stay informed on industry trends, emerging market opportunities, and competitive landscapes. 
• Explore new business models, digital solutions, and innovative collaborations that align with Santam’s strategic vision. 
• Advocate for continuous improvement and digital transformation in partnership approaches. 

Qualifications & Experience

• Honours Degree (preferably Masters)
• A minimum of 10 years’ experience in a partnership environment of which 2 to 3 years ideally at executive management level 

Skills

• Proven business acumen and experience in creating systems, processes, and procedures to establish a scalable operational framework
• Ability to develop operational strategies and the applied learnings to execute tactically with a hands-on approach
• Ability to improve productivity and reduce costs by maximizing operational capabilities.
• Great communication skills, creating connection through outstanding interpersonal skills
• Must be a strategic thinker as well as analytical and able to comprehend / react to the key statistical drivers / metrics of the business unit
• Must be self-motivated and target driven
• Success in working with cross-functional groups both internal and external to the organization
• Strong capability in managing Senior Managers/ Executives and large teams
• Good negotiation skills
• Building networks and good relationships
• Producing creative solutions
• Adapting to change

Competencies

• Creates a compelling vision for the future
• Solves for simplicity
• Connects people and possibilities
• Cultivates innovation
• Digitally Savvy