Strategic Partnerships Manager – Public Sector

At Meta Gedu Apprenticeships, we do things differently, delivering a tailored solution that allows you to meet the challenges of recruiting, upskilling, and developing the right talent for your business needs.

This is a rare opportunity to build something significant. You won't simply be responding to opportunities or managing existing relationships; you'll be helping to shape the conversations, partnerships and strategic positioning that determine where future opportunities emerge.

As the face of Meta Gedu across the public sector, you will develop high-value relationships with local authorities, combined authorities, government departments, NHS organisations, universities, colleges and other strategic stakeholders. You will identify opportunities long before they become formal procurements, building the intelligence, partnerships and credibility that position Meta Gedu as a trusted and innovative partner.

This role is remote with field based activities.

• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with public sector organisations and key stakeholders across the UK, positioning Meta Gedu as a trusted partner in education, skills and workforce development.
• Engage with commissioners, procurement leads, local authorities, combined authorities, NHS organisations, government agencies and economic development teams to identify opportunities, influence commissioning activity and build a sustainable pipeline of future business.
• Lead stakeholder engagement and represent Meta Gedu at regional and national events, promoting our learner-first approach, subject matter expertise and innovative education and workforce development solutions.
• Identify and monitor procurement opportunities, funding streams, frameworks and market developments, supporting pre-procurement engagement, partnership discussions and market consultations to maximise future contract success.
• Develop account plans and stakeholder maps, building strategic partnerships that strengthen Meta Gedu's market position and support organisational growth.
• Gather and share market intelligence, policy updates and customer insights to inform business strategy and support bid development.
• Collaborate with Business Development, Bid and Operational teams to translate customer insights into compelling, customer-focused proposals, contributing to win strategies, stakeholder engagement, presentations and procurement activities to maximise contract success.
• Proven track record of developing and managing strategic relationships within the public sector, with the gravitas and authenticity to build trust and influence across all levels, particularly with senior stakeholders and decision-makers.
• Extensive experience of working within education, skills, apprenticeships or workforce development and a strong understanding of public sector structures, commissioning processes, procurement routes and framework agreements.
• Demonstrable experience of identifying and developing opportunities ahead of formal tender release through proactive stakeholder engagement and market intelligence.
• Strong understanding of bids, tenders and the end-to-end public procurement lifecycle, with the ability to use customer insight and intelligence to shape winning solutions.
• Strategic self-starter who takes ownership of relationships and proactively develops opportunities through networking, partnership building and effective stakeholder management.
• Excellent communication, influencing and relationship-building skills.
• Exceptional communicator with the ability to engage senior leaders, understand organisational priorities and articulate Meta Gedu's unique value proposition.
• Highly self-motivated and entrepreneurial, with the ability to work independently, take ownership of strategic objectives and consistently create new opportunities.
• Strong political awareness and the ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments.
• Experience of working collaboratively across departments and contributing to successful bids and growth strategies.
• Excellent organisational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholder…