Strategic Relations Manager

Blackfinch Group is an award-winning investment specialist. Built on over 20 years of investment track record, the name Blackfinch first came into being on the anniversary of Darwin's birth, 12th February 2013. A trusted provider, we work in partnership with advisers. Our businesses cover tax-efficient solutions, early stage investing, managed portfolio services, property financing and renewable energy. We're proud to be entrusted with over £950 million in assets under management.

We are looking for a
Strategic Relations Manager
to join our growing Distribution team. The role offers a fully remote contract, basic salary of £65-80K plus OTE, fantastic benefits package and career progression.

The Strategic Relations Manager will represent and market the Blackfinch Group to existing and potential new Strategic Partners to ensure that the company's tax and asset management products and services are known and understood by most of the market. The role also requires for an increasing and consistent level of potential new advisers are supplied to the Internal Business Development team and that Blackfinch is at the forefront of any opportunity that is provided by the Strategic Partners.

In addition, you will have responsibility for promoting Blackfinch products and services to an agreed, selected panel of financial adviser firms and larger institutions.

Furthermore, you will serve as the primary point of contact for third-party research firms and play a key role in driving positive outcomes that enhance Blackfinch's quality and competitiveness relative to its peer group.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure that Blackfinch is effectively represented and recognised by all key strategic partners.
• Act as the principal relationship owner for a range of senior distributor contacts, including nationals, networks, third-party providers, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Oversee the management and efficient utilisation of budgets, monitoring and analysing expenditure to ensure optimal cost efficiency and demonstrable productivity impact.
• Consistently achieve the highest feedback ratings when delivering presentations to advisers, and secure recognition or shortlisting for credible awards organised by key partners.
• Proactively nurture, maintain, and strengthen panel positions and partnership interests to enhance Blackfinch's standing and influence.
• Identify and pursue opportunities to secure larger key accounts and strategic partnerships, ensuring that Blackfinch is well-known, well-understood, and competitively positioned.
• Collaborate across teams to drive nationwide engagement with external BDMs, supporting their development and deepening their understanding of individual partner structures.
• Provide direct management and leadership for one FTE to ensure the successful delivery of strategic partnership objectives.
• Undertake any additional duties commensurate with the level and scope of the role, as requested by the CEO, CIO, or other members of the Executive Team.

Skills & Experience

• Have at least 3 years proven track record of sales roles in the financial services sector.
• Have a proven track record of being able to operate, and effectively influence, clients at Board level (ideally within large IFA firms and Networks).
• Have experience of process improvement through the use of technology and training, championing a consistent approach.
• Be comfortable operating in an environment of constant change.
• Have a strong eye for detail.
• Have ability to communicate sophisticated messages in a clear and concise manner in front of both large and small groups, utilizing a variety of media.
• Have ability to think and act quickly to engineer potential changes or improvement in Sales Distribution strategy.
• Hold a strong knowledge of financial markets and investment products and a clear commitment to continued development through professional exams, this person should be able to command respect with their ideas and initiatives both internally and externally.
• Successful experience in building and developing a sales team ideally that can develop a presence for Blackfinch in the Institutional financial market.
• Must have experience in being able to form and execute a plan for identifying, hiring, training, and developing BDMs into a world-class sales force
• Have ability to communicate clearly and effectively difficult and complicated messages including written and verbal communications.
• Proven collaborative style for team management and ability to take and maintain a team to high performance.
• Have ability to identify knowledge gaps, be a mentor to team members and actively share knowledge on skills, attributes and habits, to enable team members to ADAPT and THRIVE.
• Have ability to interview and select to meet business needs in Sales Distribution.

Essential Qualifications & Requirements

• Diploma Level in Financial Services or equivalent
• IMC or equivalent

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early, should we receive sufficient applications.

Blackfinch is an equal opportunities employer that values diversity and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religious practice or any other perceived differences. A copy of our Equal Opportunities Policy is available upon request.