SmartApplications International is a leading ICT solutions provider delivering a wide range of world class technological solutions. Fondly known as Smart within the industry, the company was founded to provide innovative, secure and high-tech solution in Africa and beyond. Staying ahead through constant research and innovation.

Head of Strategic Partnerships

Job Type

Full Time

Qualification

BA/BSc/HND

Experience

4 - 6 years

Location

Nairobi

Job Field

Project Management , Sales / Marketing / Retail / Business Development

The Head of Partnerships also provides strong external representation for the business and positions the company as a preferred partner in the insurance industry.

Partnership Strategy & Leadership

• Develop a global/regional partnerships strategy aligned to corporate goals.
• Developing, managing, and expanding a robust partner network that accelerates revenue growth and broadens the company's market presence.
• Build and maintain a structured partnerships pipeline with clear ROI projections.
• Negotiate and manage MoUs and contracts with partner institutions
• Identify ecosystem opportunities, whitespace markets, and strategic alliances.
• Oversee governance, contract compliance, risk management, and partnership performance.

Business Development & Revenue Growth

• Identify, engage and onboard strategic partners
• Secure strategic partners that directly increase revenue, user acquisition, and product uptake.
• Negotiate partnership agreements, commercial terms, and performance expectations.
• Open new market channels through partnerships with insurance companies, brokers, intermediaries, corporates, associations, fintech’s, and development agencies.
• Nurture existing partnerships by leading, managing, and developing all partners to achieve revenue, brand awareness and top line target.
• Contract Negotiation: Lead contract discussions and negotiations with partners to establish agreements that are favorable and sustainable for both parties.

Insurance Product & Innovation Collaboration

• Collaborate with Country Managers, Regional Head of Insurance, Product Managers, Digital Transformation, Marketing, and Operations teams to co-create solutions with partners.
• Influence product enhancements based on partner insights, customer needs, and market trends.
• Support pilots and product launch in collaboration with partners

Market Intelligence & Ecosystem Mapping

• Monitor competitor partnerships, regulatory developments, and industry trends.
• Stay up to date on market trends and emerging opportunities. Use this information to refine partnership strategies and identify new opportunities.
• Generate insights to guide partnership expansion and investment decisions.
• Benchmark partnership models globally to maintain competitive advantage.

Go-to-Market Collaborations

• Collaborate with partners to create joint go-to-market strategies, including co-marketing initiatives, product integrations, and bundled offerings where this exists.
• Conduct regular reviews with key partners to ensure mutual value creation
• Partner Enablement: Ensure partners are equipped with the necessary tools, training, and resources for all partner-led ventures.

Reporting, Compliance & Performance Management

• Establish KPIs to measure the success and ROI of partnerships
• Track, analyze, and report partnership performance to EXCO/Leadership
• Ensure all partnerships comply with legal, data protection, and regulatory standards.
• Conduct regular reviews with key partners to ensure mutual value creation.

Requirements

Qualifications

• Holder of a bachelor’s degree in business administration, Sales & Marketing – preferably having worked within healthcare, Technology and/or Insurance industry.
• Demonstrated success in building and scaling partner ecosystems that drive significant business growth.
• 4–6 years of experience in partnerships, business development, or strategic alliances.
• Strong negotiation, relationship management, and commercial strategy skills.
• At least 5 years’ experience in insurance, health led business or previous experience in Smart Applications is an added advantage
• IT Proficiency, especially in the Microsoft Office suite with an emphasis on Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint is a must
• Computer Literate with proficiency in IT is an added advantage.

• Develop a global/regional partnerships strategy aligned to corporate goals.
• Developing, managing, and expanding a robust partner network that accelerates revenue growth and broadens the company's market presence.
• Build and maintain a structured partnerships pipeline with clear ROI projections.
• Negotiate and manage MoUs and contracts with partner institutions
• Identify ecosystem opportunities, whitespace markets, and strategic alliances.
• Oversee governance, contract compliance, risk management, and partnership performance.
• Identify, engage and onboard strategic partners
• Secure strategic partners that directly increase revenue, user acquisition, and product uptake.
• Negotiate partnership agreements, commercial terms, and performance expectations.
• Open new market channels through partnerships with insurance companies, brokers, intermediaries, corporates, associations, fintech’s, and development agencies.
• Nurture existing partnerships by leading, managing, and developing all partners to achieve revenue, brand awareness and top line target.
• Contract Negotiation: Lead contract discussions and negotiations with partners to establish agreements that are favorable and sustainable for both parties.
• Collaborate with Country Managers, Regional Head of Insurance, Product Managers, Digital Transformation, Marketing, and Operations teams to co-create solutions with partners.
• Influence product enhancements based on partner insights, customer needs, and market trends.
• Support pilots and product launch in collaboration with partners
• Monitor competitor partnerships, regulatory developments, and industry trends.
• Stay up to date on market trends and emerging opportunities. Use this information to refine partnership strategies and identify new opportunities.
• Generate insights to guide partnership expansion and investment decisions.
• Benchmark partnership models globally to maintain competitive advantage.
• Collaborate with partners to create joint go-to-market strategies, including co-marketing initiatives, product integrations, and bundled offerings where this exists.
• Conduct regular reviews with key partners to ensure mutual value creation
• Partner Enablement: Ensure partners are equipped with the necessary tools, training, and resources for all partner-led ventures.
• Establish KPIs to measure the success and ROI of partnerships
• Track, analyze, and report partnership performance to EXCO/Leadership
• Ensure all partnerships comply with legal, data protection, and regulatory standards.
• Conduct regular reviews with key partners to ensure mutual value creation.

• Strong negotiation skills
• Relationship management skills
• Commercial strategy skills
• IT Proficiency (Microsoft Office Suite: Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Computer Literacy

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Sales & Marketing
• Demonstrated success in building and scaling partner ecosystems that drive significant business growth.
• At least 5 years’ experience in insurance, health led business or previous experience in Smart Applications is an added advantage