Head of Partnerships , New Business & Strategic Relationships

Position: Head of Partnerships — Growth, New Business & Strategic Relationships
Head of Partnerships — Growth, New Business & Strategic Relationships

Department - Business Development / Commercial

Reports To - Commercial Director

Location - Hybrid / Office & Extensive Travel required

Role Purpose

The Head of Partnerships is a senior strategic role responsible for identifying and developing new growth opportunities across children’s social care and education.

The role will focus on building high-level relationships, developing strategic partnerships and identifying new markets, services and routes to growth for the organisation. The postholder will act as a senior ambassador externally, building influence with Local Authorities, Mayors, Combined Authorities, commissioners, education leaders, charities, health partners, families and other key stakeholders.

This role is focused on opening doors, creating opportunities and shaping future growth, rather than simply responding to existing placement or service demand.

The Head of Partnerships will work closely with the Commercial Director and Head of Business Development to convert strategic relationships and opportunities into sustainable commercial outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Growth & Market Development

* Own and develop strategic growth opportunities across children’s social care and education.

* Identify emerging markets, services, commissioning models and revenue opportunities.

* Research and understand changes within the social care and education landscape and translate these into potential growth opportunities.

* Identify opportunities arising from government policy, funding changes, legislation, local authority strategies and regional commissioning developments.

* Develop strategies for entering new markets and geographical areas.

* Identify opportunities that may not yet have developed into conventional placement or commissioning opportunities.

* Monitor emerging trends and developments across children’s services, education, health and wider public services.

* Develop strategic propositions that create new routes to market and strengthen the organisation’s long-term market position.

2. Strategic Partnerships

* Develop and maintain long-term strategic partnerships with Local Authorities, schools, colleges, charities, parent groups and forums and other relevant organisations.

* Identify organisations and stakeholders where strategic relationships could create mutual value.

* Develop partnership models that support sustainable growth and improve outcomes for children, young people and families.

* Build relationships beyond traditional commissioning contacts to understand wider local and regional priorities.

* Explore opportunities for collaborative working, joint ventures, strategic alliances and innovative service delivery models.

* Ensure partnerships are aligned with the organisation’s strategic objectives, values and commercial priorities.

3. Senior External Relationships

* Build high-level relationships with:

* Local Authority senior leaders

* Directors and senior commissioners

* Mayors and Combined Authorities

* Regional and emerging commissioning bodies

* Education leaders

* Schools, colleges and education providers

* Charities and voluntary sector organisations

* Advocacy and community organisations

* Parents and families where appropriate

* Other strategic stakeholders

* Act as a senior relationship owner and ambassador for the organisation.

* Develop credibility, trust and influence with senior external stakeholders.

* Represent the organisation at strategic meetings, conferences, forums, events and partnership discussions.

* Build a strong network of contacts across children's social care and education.

* Maintain a clear understanding of stakeholder priorities, challenges and future plans.

4. New Business Development

Lead new business development at a strategic level.

Identify where the organisation should grow, why it should grow and who it should partner with.

Generate opportunities through strategic relationships rather than relying solely on existing placement demand.

Identify potential new services, geographical markets and customer groups.

Develop and maintain a strategic pipeline of growth opportunities.

Work with the Head of…