Group Head, Strategic Partnerships

Industry: Telecommunications | Digital Infrastructure | Technology | Internet Services

Department: Commercial

Reports To: Chief Commercial Officer (CCO)

Location: Lagos, Nigeria (Regional & International Travel Required)

Employment Type: Full-Time

Salary: ₦2,000,000 Net Monthly (After Tax)

Experience: Minimum of 15 years of progressive experience, including at least 8 years in a senior leadership or executive management role.

About the Role

We are seeking an accomplished Group Head, Strategic Partnerships to drive the organization's strategic alliance agenda and accelerate business growth across Nigeria and Africa. Reporting directly to the Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), the successful candidate will lead the identification, negotiation, execution, and management of high-value strategic partnerships that expand market presence, strengthen service offerings, and create sustainable revenue opportunities.

The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience building executive-level relationships across the telecommunications, digital infrastructure, technology, cloud services, financial services, and public sectors. This role requires a commercially astute leader with exceptional negotiation, stakeholder management, and business development capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Partnership Development

• Develop and execute the Group's Strategic Partnership Framework in alignment with corporate objectives.
• Identify, evaluate, negotiate, and execute strategic alliances that support sustainable business growth across Africa.
• Build and maintain executive-level relationships with key industry stakeholders, regulators, technology providers, investors, and enterprise clients.
• Lead negotiations for partnership agreements, commercial contracts, Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), and strategic alliance frameworks.
• Identify emerging market opportunities and establish partnerships that strengthen the organization's competitive advantage.
• Represent the organization at executive meetings, industry conferences, strategic forums, and stakeholder engagements.

Technology & OEM Partnerships

Develop and manage strategic relationships with:

• Network Equipment Manufacturers
• Router and Switching Vendors
• Wireless Technology Providers
• Data Centre Operators
• Cloud Service Providers
• Artificial Intelligence Technology Companies
• Cybersecurity Solution Providers
• Enterprise Software Vendors
• Infrastructure Technology Partners

Lead negotiations relating to:

• Distribution Agreements
• Strategic Alliance Agreements
• White-Label Partnerships
• Joint Go-to-Market Initiatives
• Joint Product Development
• Preferred Pricing Models
• Technology Licensing
• Technical Collaboration Frameworks

Telecommunications & Infrastructure Partnerships

Lead commercial engagements with:

• Mobile Network Operators (MNOs)
• Fibre Infrastructure Companies
• Tower Companies (TowerCos)
• Wholesale Bandwidth Providers
• Internet Exchange Providers
• International Connectivity Providers
• Satellite Connectivity Operators
• Metro Fibre Providers
• Data Centre Operators

Channel & Enterprise Partnerships

Develop and expand strategic partner ecosystems comprising:

• Channel Partners
• Distributors
• Value-Added Resellers (VARs)
• Managed Service Providers
• Systems Integrators
• Enterprise Technology Partners
• Installation Partners
• Regional Business Partners

Government & Institutional Partnerships

Establish and maintain strategic relationships with:

• Federal Government Agencies
• State Governments
• Regulatory Authorities
• Development Finance Institutions
• Educational Institutions
• Healthcare Institutions
• International Development Organizations
• Public Sector Enterprises

Commercial Growth & Business Development

• Collaborate with the Chief Commercial Officer to develop new commercial opportunities.
• Drive market expansion initiatives across existing and emerging markets.
• Launch new products and services through strategic partnerships.
• Identify new revenue streams and strategic investment opportunities.
• Support mergers, acquisitions, and strategic investment initiatives where applicable.
• Contribute to long-term commercial strategy and business planning.

Partnership Governance & Performance Management

• Manage the complete partnership lifecycle from identification to renewal.
• Conduct periodic business reviews with strategic partners.
• Monitor partnership performance against agreed objectives and KPIs.
• Resolve commercial disputes and contractual issues.
• Ensure compliance with contractual obligations and governance standards.
• Maintain long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with strategic partners.

Market Intelligence & Strategic Insights

Continuously monitor and evaluate:

• Industry trends and emerging technologies.
• Competitive landscape.
• Regulatory developments.
• Investment opportunities.
• Digital transformation initiatives.
• Market expansion opportunities.
• Partnership innovations across Africa.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Engineering, Telecommunications, Information Technology, Economics, or a related discipline.
• MBA or a relevant Master's Degree is highly preferred.
• Professional certifications in Business Development, Strategic Management, Telecommunications, Commercial Management, or Partnership Management will be an added advantage.

Experience

• Minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in Strategic Partnerships, Business Development, Commercial Leadership, Enterprise Sales, or Corporate Strategy.
• Minimum of 8 years in a senior leadership or executive management position.
• Proven experience within one or more of the following sectors:
  • Telecommunications
  • Internet Service Providers (ISP)
  • Fibre Infrastructure
  • Cloud Services
  • Digital Infrastructure
  • Enterprise Technology
  • Managed Services
  • Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
• Demonstrated success negotiating complex commercial agreements and strategic alliances with multinational organizations, technology providers, and government institutions.
• Strong understanding of Africa's telecommunications and digital infrastructure ecosystem.

Core Competencies

• Strategic Partnership Development
• Executive Relationship Management
• Commercial Negotiation
• Contract Management
• Business Development
• Financial & Commercial Analysis
• Corporate Strategy
• Stakeholder Management
• Public Sector Engagement
• Enterprise Sales
• Market Expansion
• Leadership & People Management
• Executive Communication & Presentation
• Strategic Thinking & Decision-Making
• Problem Solving & Analytical Skills
• High Ethical Standards & Professional Integrity

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Number of strategic partnerships executed annually.
• Partnership-generated revenue.
• OEM and technology alliance agreements secured.
• Telecommunications and infrastructure partnerships established.
• New products and services launched through strategic partnerships.
• Growth in channel partner ecosystem.
• Partnership retention rate.
• Commercial savings achieved through strategic negotiations.
• Customer acquisition through the partner ecosystem.
• Contribution to overall commercial growth.

Compensation & Benefits

• Net Monthly Salary: ₦2,000,000 (After Tax)
• Housing Allowance
• Health Insurance (HMO) for Employee and Eligible Dependants
• Pension Contributions in accordance with applicable laws
• Annual Leave with Leave Allowance
• Performance-Based Bonus
• Profit Sharing Scheme (Subject to Company Policy)
• Executive Communication Package
• Official Laptop and Mobile Devices
• Local and International Travel Allowance
• Professional Membership Sponsorship
• Executive Learning and Leadership Development Programmes

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV to hiring@mysigma.io using "Group Head, Strategic Partnerships" as the subject of the email.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.