Head of Strategic Partnerships (EOI – Late 2026)

About the Role

RUC on Rails operates a growing consumer platform suite supporting New Zealand’s transition to full digital Road User Charges.

Our brands include:

• RUC Pass – OTC retail distribution

• RUC Warehouse – Bulk purchasing platform

• RUC Compare – Provider comparison marketplace

• RUC Hub – Information and data platform

Together, these brands form a coordinated brand ecosystem designed to capture different segments of the RUC market.

As transaction volume and national visibility increase, strategic partnerships will become one of the primary growth drivers across our brand ecosystem.

We are inviting expressions of interest for a Head of Strategic Partnerships to lead partner acquisition, commercial expansion, and account management across all brands.

This role reports directly to the CEO and will lead a small, focused team of Account Managers. While the team will remain lean by design, the commercial footprint will be national in scope.

What You’ll Be Responsible For

You will be responsible for shaping and executing a partnership strategy that strengthens our position across our brand ecosystem.

This includes:

• Developing and implementing a clear cross-brand partnership strategy that aligns revenue, distribution, and long-term positioning

• Securing and negotiating national-level commercial agreements that drive meaningful revenue impact

• Expanding retail and distribution channels for RUC Pass

• Building provider and monetization relationships for RUC Compare

• Establishing advertising and strategic alliances for RUC Hub

• Identifying fleet and bulk purchasing opportunities for RUC Warehouse

• Leading and mentoring a small team of Account Managers to ensure partner performance and retention

This is a leadership role, but not a passive one. You will personally lead key negotiations, represent the company in senior commercial discussions, and remain closely involved in major deal structures.

You will be expected to think beyond individual contracts and consider how partnerships compound across our brand ecosystem over time.

• 7+ years experience in business development, partnerships, or commercial leadership

• Proven track record negotiating and closing commercially significant agreements

• Experience leading or mentoring account managers

• Strong commercial acumen and revenue strategy capability

• Confidence operating in regulated or compliance-sensitive environments

• Ability to balance short-term deal flow with long-term strategic positioning

Highly regarded:

• Experience in transport, logistics, fleet services, payments, or financial services

• Familiarity with usage-based charging models or government-adjacent markets

• Experience managing distribution partnerships at scale

• Understanding of New Zealand’s Road User Charges system

The ideal candidate understands that partnerships are not just transactional. They shape market perception, revenue stability, and long-term defensibility.

• Competitive base salary

• Performance-linked incentives

• Potential equity participation

• Flexible working arrangements within NZ

• Staff discounts across all RUC platforms

• Discounts on RUC purchasing

• Direct influence over a nationally significant growth phase

Our Approach

We are building a focused, high-accountability commercial function aligned to long-term scale.

We welcome expressions of interest from candidates who believe they can lead disciplined partnership growth across our brand ecosystem while operating with integrity and commercial maturity.