THE OPPORTUNITY
Job Title: Strategic Partnership Manager
Division: Growth & Partnerships
Reports to: Head of Growth & Partnerships
Location: Hybrid
Employment: Full Time
This is an exciting opportunity to join a fast-growing, mission-driven team that is shaping the future of the defence innovation ecosystem – mobilizing ecosystems, influencing procurement reform and enabling the technologies that protect our nations.
PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
The Strategic Partnerships Manager is a key member of Karve's Growth & Partnerships team. The purpose of this role is to drive client acquisition and engagement across the defence, security, and technology innovation sectors, while actively supporting the development of Karve's wider strategic partnerships. The successful candidate will contribute directly to Karve's mission by identifying aligned opportunities, strengthening market presence, and shaping how the organisation works with external stakeholders to deliver long-term impact.
This position is one of two peer roles within the team and will work closely with the other Strategic Partnerships Manager to ensure coordinated delivery of Karve's growth objectives.
SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES
(1) CLIENT & MARKET ENGAGEMENT
- Identify and pursue new client opportunities in line with Karve's strategic priorities.
- Lead client outreach, build trusted relationships, and manage early engagement and qualification processes.
- Support the design and delivery of strategies to engage high-value clients developing capabilities relevant to national security and defence.
- Take responsibility for managing referral channels, cultivating high conversion referrers and tracking performance metrics to ensure consistent client pipeline quality.
(2) TECHNOLOGY & OPERATIONAL INSIGHT
- Rapidly build an understanding of emerging technologies and their operational applications in defence and national security.
- Engage credibly with prospective clients across technical, operational, and strategic levels to align Karve's offering with their needs.
- Draw on operational or applied experience to contextualise client challenges and spot meaningful opportunities.
(3) STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP SUPPORT
- Support the Head of Growth & Partnerships in delivering Karve's wider partnership and influence agenda.
- Help shape and deliver thought leadership activities, stakeholder engagement forums, and strategic events.
- Work with the team to ensure that client-facing activities are aligned with broader partnership goals.
(4) BUSINESS PROCESS IMPROVEMENT
- Take ownership of initiatives to improve the way Karve engages with prospective clients and delivers growth.
- Apply a critical and constructive lens to business development processes, suggesting and trialling refinements where appropriate.
- Identify opportunities to leverage tools such as AI and automation to improve efficiency, insight, and decision-making across Growth & Partnership activities.
- Support internal knowledge-sharing and continuous improvement practices across the team.
WAYS OF WORKING
- This role will operate with a high degree of autonomy, with clear accountability for output and outcomes.
- The Strategic Partnerships Managers will work collaboratively, sharing information and coordinating on outreach, client intelligence, and opportunities to maximise impact.
- Regular communication and alignment with the Head of Growth & Partnerships will ensure delivery remains strategically focused.
- Success will be measured by quality and conversion of opportunities, contribution to partnership outcomes, and proactive improvement of team processes.
- The successful candiadate will be expected to maintain an understanding of relevant regulatory, compliance, and KYC requirements ensuring client engagement and partnership activity remains aligned with best practice and industry standards.
KEY RELATIONSHIPS
- Head of Growth & Partnerships (line manager and strategic lead)
- Strategic Partnerships Manager (peer and collaborator)
- External stakeholders including clients, partners, and innovators across government, industry, and academia
- Internal delivery teams, including research and operational leads
PERSONAL SKILLS
As per the role profile, the Strategic Partnerships Manager should bring a combination of:
- Practical understanding of defence and/or national security contexts
- Strong interpersonal and client engagement skills
- Curiosity and adaptability in working with emerging technologies
- Critical thinking and a proactive, self-starting mindset
- A collaborative and mission-driven approach to delivering value.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to handle confidential information with integrity and discretion.
Exceptional attention to detail and a high degree of accuracy in all work.
Proactive mindset with excellent organizational and time-management skills.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, able to communicate effectively with internal teams and external stakeholders.
WHAT WE OFFER
- A chance to be a part of a fast-growing company valuing innovation and creativity.
- Competitive salary and benefits package.
- Dynamic and flexible working culture and environment.
- Opportunities for professional growth and advancement.
ABOUT US
Karve is a dynamic and fast-growing mission driven technology accelerator, dedicated to revolutionizing the defence industry by connecting cutting-edge innovators with the global market. Our mission is to accelerate the deployment of mission-critical solutions by combining deep sector expertise, high-trust networks and data-driven insight. Through our work with emerging technologies, venture investors and operational stakeholders, Karve is redefining how sovereign capabilities are discovered, scaled and integrated into the frontline of defence.
