Director of Strategic Partnerships

Universal Investment is Europe’s leading third-party Management Company (ManCo) and fund services provider. For nearly 60 years, we have partnered with institutional investors and asset managers to deliver innovative fund solutions across all asset classes. With operations across Germany, Luxembourg, Ireland, Poland, the UK, France, Sweden and Singapore,

we offer
opportunities to make an impact. We are looking for people who are curious, entrepreneurial, and eager to challenge the status quo. If you think beyond the obvious, embrace challenges, and thrive in a fast-moving environment, Universal Investment could be the right place for you. Join a business where your ideas matter, your impact is visible, and your growth is part of our success. This is a senior commercial leadership role responsible for defining and executing Universal Investment’s partnership strategy to drive revenue growth, increase assets under management (AUM) and expand the firm’s capabilities. You will own the full partnership lifecycle, from ecosystem mapping and partner origination through commercial negotiation, execution and ongoing value realization, with clear accountability for delivering measurable business outcomes. Your tasks and

responsibilities:
• Develop and execute Universal Investment’s partnership strategy, building and managing a network of strategic partners across market infrastructure, technology, distribution and advisory channels to support the firm's growth objectives.
• Identify, originate and close strategic partnerships, alliances and commercial agreements, leading negotiations and establishing senior stakeholder relationships that deliver measurable business value.
• Drive partnership-led revenue and AUM growth by working closely with Sales, Product and Operations teams to convert opportunities into client mandates, develop joint propositions and bring new capabilities to market.
• Manage and optimise the partnership portfolio, setting clear governance frameworks, performance expectations and success metrics while continuously assessing commercial impact, ROI and expansion opportunities.
• Act as the central point of coordination between internal and external stakeholders, ensuring alignment on partnership strategy, ownership and execution, while providing tools, materials and support to maximise commercial outcomes.
• Monitor, analyse and report on partnership performance, including revenue generation, AUM growth, pipeline conversion, strategic impact and capability development, providing regular updates and recommendations to the CEO International/DACH and Executive Committee. Your skills and

experience:
• Proven experience (10-15 years’ +) in strategic partnerships, business development, sales or commercial leadership within asset management, fund services or financial services.
• Strong track record of originating and closing partnerships that deliver revenue growth and AUM.
• Deep understanding of the investment management ecosystem, including asset managers, distributors, platforms and service providers.
• Excellent commercial negotiation and stakeholder management skills, with experience engaging senior executives and external partners.
• Strategic, entrepreneurial and results-oriented mindset, with the ability to translate opportunities into measurable business outcomes.
• Strong collaboration skills and experience working across Sales, Product, Operations and Executive Leadership teams.

What we offer
• A dynamic and engaging workplace filled with exciting challenges
• An exciting working environment and challenging tasks
• Extensive insight into the European fund industry
• Friendly, international and goal-oriented working environment
• High degree of independent work
• An attractive remuneration scheme including a performance bonus linked to partnership revenue and growth targets