Head of Partnerships

Our client is a well-established education group with a strong presence across children's social care and education services. As part of an ambitious growth strategy, they're creating a brand-new senior role to lead strategic partnerships and open new markets — reporting directly into the Commercial Director and working closely with senior leadership to shape the organisation's future direction. This is a strategic, relationship-led role rather than a conventional BD position — you'll be opening doors, not chasing existing demand.

Expect genuine influence: representing the organisation with Local Authorities, Mayors, Combined Authorities, commissioners and education leaders, and turning high-level relationships into real commercial outcomes. ??????' Salary up to £70,000 10% performance-related bonus Hybrid working, based on the Leeds head office, with flexibility and travel built in The opportunity to shape a brand-new strategic function from the ground up A genuine seat at the table with senior leadership ??????'

Identifying new growth opportunities, markets and commissioning models across children's social care and education Building and maintaining strategic partnerships with Local Authorities, schools, colleges, charities and other key stakeholders Acting as a senior ambassador at conferences, forums and strategic meetings, building credibility and influence with senior decision-makers Developing a strategic pipeline of opportunities and working with the Head of Business Development to convert these into commercial outcomes Tracking government policy, funding and commissioning developments to spot opportunities ahead of the market Contributing to business cases, propositions and commercial strategy alongside the Commercial Director ????'

Significant experience in business development, partnerships or strategic commercial growth Strong understanding of children's social care and/or education A track record of building relationships with senior stakeholders, ideally within Local Authorities or the wider public sector Solid grasp of commissioning and public sector decision-making Excellent communication, influencing and negotiation skills, with the confidence to operate at senior/strategic level Desirable: experience with Mayors, Combined Authorities or regional commissioning structures, and an existing senior network across the sector This is a rare chance to shape a brand-new strategic function and genuinely influence the future direction of a growing education group.

For a private and confidential conversation about this role, please contact Cassidy Pinder at ALF Recruit.