Merchant Acquisition Associate Manager

Join Us

At Vodafone, we’re not just shaping the future of connectivity for our customers – we’re shaping the future for everyone who joins our team. When you work with us, you’re part of a global mission to connect people, solve complex challenges, and create a sustainable and more inclusive world. If you want to grow your career whilst finding the perfect balance between work and life, Vodafone offers the opportunities to help you belong and make a real impact.

Role Purpose

Responsible for identifying, acquiring, and developing strategic merchant and commercial partnerships that support Vodafone's customer proposition and business objectives. This role will require a strong ability to prospect, build relationships, identify opportunities, pitch, negotiate, and close commercial partnerships.

The role will focus on developing a strong and relevant partner ecosystem, ensuring successful onboarding and activation, and maximizing the ongoing value of partnerships. Collaborate with internal teams and external stakeholders to optimize partnerships, ensure mutual value, and contribute to the company's commercial growth.

Key Accountabilities

Merchant Acquisition Strategy & Development:

• Identify, evaluate, and prioritize potential merchants and commercial partners in line with business objectives.
• Develop and execute merchant acquisition plans to build a strong and relevant partner network.
• Proactively identify new business opportunities and develop a structured partner pipeline.
• Conduct market research to identify attractive brands, merchants, and emerging partnership opportunities.
• Set and deliver merchant acquisition targets in line with agreed business plans.

Commercial Proposition, Pitching & Negotiation:

• Develop compelling commercial propositions and partnership proposals tailored to different partner needs.
• Lead partner pitches and negotiations, clearly articulating the mutual value of the partnership.
• Understand partner objectives, business needs, and commercial priorities to develop win-win propositions.
• Handle partner objections and negotiate commercial terms, benefits, and contractual arrangements.
• Lead the negotiation and execution of partnership agreements in collaboration with relevant internal functions.

Partner Onboarding & Relationship Management:

• Manage the end-to-end partner onboarding process, ensuring partners are successfully activated and ready to deliver the agreed proposition.
• Build and maintain strong, long-term relationships with key partners.
• Monitor partner engagement and performance and identify opportunities for further development.
• Conduct regular performance reviews with key partners and develop action plans where required.
• Proactively resolve partner issues and ensure a high level of partner satisfaction.

Cross-functional Collaboration:

• Work closely with internal stakeholders including Marketing, Sales, Pricing, Finance, Legal, Procurement, Product, Digital, and Operations to ensure successful execution of partnerships.
• Collaborate with relevant teams to develop and execute partner-led campaigns and initiatives.
• Provide market and partner insights to support the development of customer propositions and commercial initiatives.
• Ensure partnership activities are aligned with Vodafone's broader customer and commercial strategy.

Performance Management & Market Intelligence:

• Track and analyze partner acquisition, activation, engagement, retention, and commercial performance.
• Develop regular performance reports and provide insights and recommendations to senior management.
• Use data and market insights to optimize partner acquisition priorities and commercial propositions.
• Monitor competitor activity and market developments to identify new partnership opportunities and strengthen Vodafone's proposition.

Core Competencies

• Strong business development with proven ability to prospect, pitch, negotiate, and close commercial opportunities.
•  Strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills, with the ability to develop mutually beneficial propositions.
• Strong relationship management and communication skills, with the ability to influence and manage internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking, with the ability to use data and market insights to identify and prioritize opportunities.
• Strong ownership and execution skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver against challenging targets.

Technical & Professional Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in business development, merchant acquisition, partnerships, commercial management, or a related field.
• Proven track record of acquiring and managing external partners/merchants and delivering measurable results.
• Proven experience in negotiation, pitching, and closing commercial agreements.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams (Marketing, Pricing, Finance, Legal, Product, Operations, etc.).
• Strong understanding of commercial models, business development, and partnership strategies.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate data and market insights into actionable recommendations.
• Must have marketing experience, particularly in consumer-facing businesses, loyalty, partnerships, or commercial propositions

Who we are

We are a leading international Telco, serving millions of customers. At Vodafone, we believe that connectivity is a force for good. If we use it for the things that really matter, it can improve people's lives and the world around us. Through our technology we empower people, connecting everyone regardless of who they are or where they live and we protect the planet, whilst helping our customers do the same.

Belonging at Vodafone isn't a concept; it's lived, breathed, and cultivated through everything we do. You'll be part of a global and diverse community, with many different minds, abilities, backgrounds and cultures. ;We're committed to increase diversity, ensure equal representation, and make Vodafone a place everyone feels safe, valued and included.

If you require any reasonable adjustments or have an accessibility request as part of your recruitment journey, for example, extended time or breaks in between online assessments, please refer to https://careers.vodafone.com/application-adjustments/ for guidance.

Together we can.