Partner Manager

Summary We are seeking a Partner Manager to join our growing global connected services team in Stockholm, Sweden. In this role, you will act as the central point of contact for managing key partner relationships, monitoring performance, and ensuring governance. You will balance strategic oversight with hands-on management to drive operational excellence, contract alignment, and partner satisfaction. The role also includes shaping partner management strategies, optimizing costs, and proactively identifying and mitigating operational risks. You will play a critical role in fostering strong partner collaboration, ensuring strict SLA adherence, and driving continuous improvement across all partner engagements. About KDDI We are a global Top 10 telecommunications pioneer and a Global Fortune 500 company providing our international customer base with data centers, networks, content delivery, system integration, and more. We connect vehicles from several of the world's largest Automotive OEMs, as well as mobility and IoT programs across the globe. Our industry-leading Telehouse data center provides colocation at over 40 sites in 23 cities across 12 countries, including London, New York, Frankfurt, and Shanghai. Leveraging our strengths as a telecom provider, we combine IT and network expertise to deliver secure, scalable, and stress-free connectivity for our customers. Responsibilities KPI Management: Develop, track, and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) related to partner performance, such as on-time delivery, quality metrics, and service level adherence. Governance and Compliance: Establish and maintain partner governance structures, including managing Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and ensuring compliance with industry standards and company policies. Relationship Management: Foster strong relationships with partners, ensuring open communication channels for discussing performance, addressing issues, and exploring opportunities for collaboration and improvement. Contract Management: Negotiate contract terms with partners. Performance Reviews: Conduct regular reviews with partners to provide feedback, discuss improvement plans, and align on strategic goals. Risk Management: Identify and address potential risks within the partner base and implement effective mitigation strategies. Knowledge and Skills Technical Skills Understanding of Wireless/Cellular technologies (4G/5G, eSIM, Packet Core) Familiarity with IoT services and platforms Strong understanding of KPI tracking, analytics, and performance measurement frameworks. Experience with SLA management, vendor governance, and compliance standards.. Familiarity with risk management frameworks and mitigation planning. Soft Skills Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English is mandatory. Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building capabilities. Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic, and ambiguous environment. Strong collaboration, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills. Proactive approach to problem-solving, including gap analysis and implementation of corrective action plans. Ability to work effectively both as a team player and an independent contributor. Requirements Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field (or equivalent experience). 3+ years of experience in Partner Management, Vendor Management, Procurement, or Service Delivery management. Proven track record of managing, evaluating, and growing vendor or partner relationships. Strong business acumen with experience managing budgets and negotiating flexible contract terms. Experience in Telecom, IT, IoT, or fast-paced technology environments is preferred.