Partnering Manager

Nokia Technology Standards licenses Nokia’s intellectual property, including patents and selected technologies. This is building on Nokia’s continued innovation and decades of R&D leadership with technologies deployed in virtually all connected devices used today. We are offering an opportunity to make an impact in one of the leading licensing teams in the world!

You will be joining our Partnering team which is responsible for driving portfolio transactions and emerging revenue opportunities and for collaborating with other asset owners.

Concretely, the Technology Standards Partnering Team is seeking a Senior Manager, Partnering, to run various activities related to our partnering initiatives and projects. In this role, you will act as the primary senior point of contact for major partners, shape partnership strategy, negotiate complex deals, and ensure successful execution and ongoing value creation. This is a high-visibility role ideal for someone who thrives in building long-term, reciprocal relationships and translating strategic vision into measurable business results.

Responsibilities

• Scout, identify, qualify, negotiate, and close new strategic partnering initiatives and manage and expand existing relationships.

• Lead deal structuring and contract negotiations in coordination with internal stakeholders, ensuring favorable commercial terms while protecting company interests.

• Contribute to the broader partnering strategy — advise leadership on partnership models, ecosystem trends and landscape, and new opportunities.

• Serve as the senior relationship owner for assigned partners and build and manage trusted relationships.

• Drive cross-functional alignment — collaborate closely with internal teams (licensing, strategy, finance, portfolio management, legal, and others) and create new processes to deliver on partnership commitments and joint initiatives.

• Define and monitor partnership success metrics, pipeline generation, and prepare executive-level reporting and insights.

• Mentor junior team members and champion best practices in partner management across the organization.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in patent licensing and/or other patent transactions.

• Solid experience and strong ability in negotiating complex agreements and managing complex negotiation projects in a cross-functional context in the area of patents and IP.

• Strong relationship-building and interpersonal skills —demonstrated ability to influence and collaborate with senior stakeholders both internally and externally.

• Excellent project and program management skills — comfortable managing multiple complex initiatives with competing priorities. 

• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, matrixed environment with ambiguity and evolving priorities.

• High degree of integrity, diplomacy, and negotiation savvy. 

• Excellent problem solving, strategic thinking, and analytical skills 

• Master's degree or higher in appropriate field, with excellent academic records 

Advancing connectivity to secure a brighter world.

Nokia is a global leader in connectivity for the AI era. With expertise across fixed, mobile and transport networks, powered by the innovation of Nokia Bell Labs, we’re advancing connectivity to secure a brighter world. 

Learn more about life at Nokia.

Our recruitment process

We act inclusively and respect the uniqueness of people. Our employment decisions are made regardless of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. We are committed to a culture of inclusion built upon our core value of respect.

If you’re interested in this role but don’t meet every listed requirement, we still encourage you to apply. Unique backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences enrich our teams, and you may be just the right candidate for this or another opportunity.

The length of the recruitment process may vary depending on the specific role's requirements. We strive to ensure a smooth and inclusive experience for all candidates. Discover more about the recruitment process at Nokia. 

Some of our benefits in Finland:

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements to support work–life balance
• A minimum of 90 days of Maternity and Paternity Leave based on eligibility
• Edenred benefit voucher - 400€ per year
• Annual bonus - based on individual and company performance
• Health and well-being support - occupational health services, well-being programs, employee resource groups, reimbursement for spectacle lenses, life insurance and gyms at every site
• Personal Support Service 24/7 – a confidential support channel open to all Nokia employees and their families in challenging situations
• Share in Success – voluntary employee share purchase plan
• Employee Referral program – reward yourself and support Nokia by referring a friend to apply to Nokia
• Career growth & learning - technical career path, job rotation, coaching and digital learning platforms
• Car benefit – the eligibility for a company car is based on employee’s job grade