Manager, External Partnerships

Job Description:

Manager External Partnerships

Location: Chicago IL (Hybrid Global Innovation Center)

About the Role

Are you excited to build operationalize and grow the external alliances that fuel industry-leading innovation Working out of our world-class Global Innovation Center (GIC) in Chicago the Manager External Partnerships serves as a vital bridge between high-impact external partners including start-ups strategic suppliers academic institutions venture-backed innovators and industry disruptors and Mars Snackings leadership team.

In this role you will support the governance structures operating models and Roles & Responsibilities (R&R) that enable strategic partnerships to succeed. You will act as both the strategic and operational engine behind our external partnership portfolio helping to identify evaluate onboard and scale partnerships that accelerate business growth innovation and capability building.

You will partner closely with leaders across R&D Commercial Finance Legal Procurement and Strategy to design partnership blueprints evaluate investment opportunities build business cases and monitor portfolio performance. Leveraging market intelligence financial analysis and performance insights you will translate complex information into actionable recommendations that support decision-making across the partnership lifecycle.

This highly visible role combines strategy analytics financial stewardship and program execution. You will help establish repeatable processes governance frameworks dashboards and playbooks that enable Mars to scale external partnerships effectively while ensuring investments are aligned to business priorities and value creation objectives.

What Are We Looking For

• Education: Bachelors degree in Business Administration Finance Economics Strategy Commercial Management Engineering or a related field required. MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• Professional Experience: 1-3 years of experience in corporate strategy consulting business development strategic finance partnership management innovation analytics or program management. Experience within CPG innovation ecosystems venture-backed environments or strategic partnerships is preferred.
• Strategic & Analytical Rigor: Exceptional analytical capabilities including market assessment competitive intelligence opportunity sizing due diligence and the ability to synthesize complex insights into executive recommendations.
• Financial & Commercial Acumen: Strong financial and commercial skills including business case development investment evaluation budgeting capital planning and scenario modeling.
• Research & Due Diligence: Demonstrated ability to conduct market research partner assessments commercial diligence and competitive benchmarking to support strategic decision-making.
• Data & Performance Management: Experience developing dashboards KPI frameworks portfolio reporting and performance analytics to track partnership effectiveness and value creation.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Proven ability to influence and coordinate across diverse stakeholder groups including R&D Commercial Finance Legal Procurement and external organizations.
• Executive Communication: Strong presentation storytelling and written communication skills with the ability to create decision packs executive briefings and concise recommendations.
• Comfort with Ambiguity: High degree of initiative adaptability and problem-solving capability in fast-paced and evolving environments.

What Will Be Your Key Responsibilities

Strategic Partnerships End-to-End Execution

• Collaborate with business and portfolio leadership teams to develop coordinate and execute the external partnership roadmap.
• Support partnership opportunities across the full lifecycle from discovery and evaluation through implementation governance and scaling.
• Identify strategic opportunities risks bottlenecks and resource constraints and facilitate alignment on solutions.

Partner Research Due Diligence & Opportunity Assessment

• Conduct market research ecosystem mapping competitive intelligence and partner assessments to identify emerging opportunities.
• Lead or support commercial and strategic due diligence activities for prospective partnerships.
• Develop business cases opportunity sizing analyses and investment recommendations that inform leadership decisions.

Governance & Operating Model Development

• Create repeatable playbooks templates tools and best practices that improve partnership effectiveness and scalability.
• Capture lessons learned and continuously improve partnership management processes.

Financial Planning & Portfolio Management

• Develop processes to evaluate the financial capability and capacity investments required to onboard and scale strategic partners.
• Support capital appropriation budgeting and planning activities across the partnership portfolio.
• Ensure consistent governance and transparency regarding partnership investments and resource allocation.

Performance Measurement & Reporting

• Build and maintain partnership dashboards KPI frameworks portfolio scorecards and reporting tools.
• Monitor partnership performance track post-pilot outcomes and identify opportunities for optimization.
• Ensure leadership has access to timely accurate and actionable insights to support decision-making.

Executive Communications & Decision Support

• Synthesize market operational financial and partner performance data into executive-ready presentations and decision materials.
• Produce one-page briefs investment memos portfolio updates and leadership communications.
• Provide analytical support that enables faster more informed business decisions.

What Can You Expect From Mars

• Work with diverse and talented Associates all guided by The Five Principles: Quality Responsibility Mutuality Efficiency and Freedom.
• Join a purpose-driven company committed to creating the world we want tomorrow today.
• Access best-in-class learning and development opportunities through Mars University and other growth programs.
• Receive a competitive salary benefits package and annual incentive opportunity.
• Gain exposure across strategy finance innovation startups and partnership ecosystems while helping shape the future growth agenda of Mars Snacking.

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The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is between the range listed below however base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors including but not limited to job-related knowledge skills and total compensation package for this position will include variable pay medical and dental benefits participation in 401k plan and paid time off of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an applicant receives an offer of employment.