Senior Strategic Partner Executive

Established in 2021, Independence Pet Holdings is a corporate holding company that manages a diverse and broad portfolio of modern pet health brands and services, including insurance, pet education, lost recovery services, and more throughout North America.

We believe pet insurance is more than a financial product and build solutions to simplify the pet parenting journey and help improve the well-being of pets. As a leading authority in the pet category, we operate with a full stack of resources, capital, and services to support pet parents. Our multi-brand and omni-channel approach include our own insurance carrier, insurance brands and partner brands. 

Position Summary

The Senior Strategic Partner Executive is responsible for developing, managing, and growing strategic partner relationships that drive business value, premium growth, customer acquisition, retention, and market expansion. This role serves as the primary relationship owner for assigned partner accounts and acts as a trusted advisor to ensure alignment between partner objectives and organizational strategy.

This individual works closely with internal stakeholders across Sales, Marketing, Product, Operations, Customer Experience, and Finance to develop and execute growth strategies, optimize partnership performance, and identify opportunities for mutual success. This position requires strong relationship management skills, business acumen, strategic thinking, and the ability to influence decision-makers across multiple organizations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategic Partnership Management

• Serve as the primary relationship owner for assigned strategic partner accounts.
• Develop, maintain, and strengthen executive-level and operational relationships within partner organizations.
• Act as a trusted advisor by providing proactive guidance, support, and recommendations to partners.
• Ensure alignment between partner objectives and company strategic priorities.
• Drive partner retention, satisfaction, and long-term relationship success.

Business Growth and Performance

• Identify, evaluate, and execute opportunities to expand partner engagement, adoption, and revenue growth.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and partner leadership to define, prioritize, and implement growth opportunities.
• Develop and execute annual and quarterly partnership business plans with measurable goals and success metrics.
• Drive Gross Written Premium (GWP), policy-in-force (PIF), and other key business objectives for assigned accounts.
• Monitor market trends, competitive activity, and partner needs to recommend growth strategies and business improvements.
• Support joint go-to-market initiatives, marketing campaigns, and business development efforts.

Relationship Governance and Account Management

• Conduct regular business reviews with partners to assess performance, communicate results, and align on strategic priorities.
• Develop and maintain account plans, forecasts, and opportunity pipelines.
• Measure and report partnership health, business impact, growth opportunities, and key performance indicators.
• Ensure accurate documentation and management of partner activity within CRM and account management systems.
• Proactively identify risks and develop mitigation strategies to maintain strong partner relationships.

Cross-Functional Leadership and Collaboration

• Coordinate internal resources and cross-functional teams to support partnership initiatives and business objectives.
• Lead projects and initiatives related to assigned partner accounts.
• Manage multiple priorities and stakeholders while driving accountability and execution.
• Influence decision-making across internal and external teams without direct authority.
• Escalate and resolve operational, service, compliance, or relationship issues in a timely and effective manner.
• Present business updates, strategic recommendations, and performance results to senior leadership.

Product, Industry, and Market Expertise

• Maintain deep knowledge of company products, services, processes, and industry trends.
• Demonstrate understanding of relevant insurance, regulatory, and actuarial environments impacting partnerships.
• Utilize industry and client knowledge to recommend enhancements to products, services, and partner programs.
• Identify emerging opportunities to improve partner and customer experiences while driving business performance.

Additional Responsibilities

• Coordinate the activities of internal and external project teams supporting assigned accounts.
• Support enterprise initiatives that impact assigned partnerships.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, Marketing, Communications, or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 8+ years of experience in partnership management, account management, customer success, business development, strategic account management, or related roles.
• Proven experience managing strategic business relationships and supporting revenue growth objectives.
• Strong communication, negotiation, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Demonstrated ability to influence executive and operational stakeholders.
• Experience managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced and evolving environment.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
• Proficiency with CRM systems, reporting tools, and business performance analytics.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience within pet insurance, insurance, financial services, SaaS, technology, professional services, or affinity/channel partnership environments.
• Experience managing strategic alliances, partner programs, or indirect distribution channels.
• Demonstrated success developing joint business plans and partnership growth strategies.
• Strong financial and business acumen with the ability to interpret performance metrics and market trends.
• Experience leading complex cross-functional initiatives and partner-related projects.

Compensation:

Chicago pay range: $111,509 – $139,387 per year. This is the range we reasonably expect to pay at hire. Placement within the range depends on job-related factors such as experience, skills, and certifications. This position is not eligible for bonus or incentive pay. Base pay is one part of a total rewards package that includes the benefits listed below.

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All of our jobs come with great benefits including healthcare, parental leave and opportunities for career advancements. Some offerings are dependent upon the location of where you work and can include the following:

• Comprehensive full medical, dental and vision Insurance

• Basic Life Insurance at no cost to the employee

• Company paid short-term and long-term disability

• 12 weeks of 100% paid Parental Leave

• Health Savings Account (HSA)

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

• Retirement savings plan

• Personal Paid Time Off

• Paid holidays and company-wide Wellness Day off

• Paid time off to volunteer at nonprofit organizations

• Pet friendly office environment

• Commuter Benefits

• Group Pet Insurance

• On the job training and skills development

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

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