University Partnerships Manager

Key information

Location:
Manchester, Bristol, Newcastle, Nottingham, or London

Hours: 37.5 hours per week (full time)

Start date: ASAP (we are happy to work with notice periods)

Duration:
Permanent

Salary: £36,340 - £41,065 per annum if based in London. £33,690 - £38,410 per annum if based in Bristol, Manchester, Newcastle or Nottingham, plus a £312 yearly tax-free work from home allowance.

Final date to receive applications:
Wednesday 18th March, 12pm

This application process will consist of 3 stages:
Application, 1st interview and Assessment Centre (presentation task & interview).

About up Reach

Do you think that your socio-economic background should determine your career prospects?

up Reach’s vision is of a society in which everybody has an equal opportunity to realise their full career potential. Our work is important because right now a student from disadvantaged background who gains a first-class degree from a top university is less likely to secure an elite job than a more privileged student with a 2.2.

We are an award-winning charity employer working to address this issue in partnership with employers and universities. We help undergraduates from lower socioeconomic backgrounds achieve their career potential by providing an intensive programme of support that addresses socio-economic barriers to graduate employment.

To find out more about how we support our students, visit our website and read our Annual Report, and Impact Report.

Role Summary

As a University Partnership Manager at up Reach, you will play a vital role in securing and growing high-impact partnerships with universities committed to social mobility.

Reporting to the Head of Partnerships within the Income Generation and External Engagement team, you will be responsible for developing new strategic relationships, championing our partners' voices across up Reach, and working closely with our Programmes Team to oversee a portfolio of university partners. You’ll lead stakeholder engagement, take ownership of partnership outcomes and work collaboratively across up Reach with our marketing, impact and programme teams.

Core Responsibilities

You will play a critical role in advancing up Reach’s mission by generating income and leading up Reach’s University Partnerships strategy. Creating life-changing opportunities for our Associates through high-impact university partnerships. You will be directly supporting the organisation's strategic priorities: driving sustainable income growth, enhancing programme impact and expanding our reach as a national charity.

Given the expansive and dynamic nature of this role, the list of responsibilities is not exhaustive, but provides a clear overview of your primary areas of responsibility, ownership and impact.

The core responsibilities include:

Develop and Secure New Strategic University Partnerships

• Proactively identify, cultivate, and convert a pipeline of four and five-figure prospective university partners aligned with up Reach’s mission and strategic goals.

• Lead high-quality prospecting and relationship-building activity, targeting income-generating partnerships that also deliver high-impact opportunities for Associates.

• Build strong relationships with key contacts at potential partners, including senior stakeholders within widening participation, employability, and careers teams, through regular in-person and virtual meetings.

• Deliver compelling, insight-driven proposals and presentations tailored to organisational priorities and demonstrating mutual value.

Stakeholder Representation and Engagement

• Act as a visible representative of up Reach at key partner events, conferences, and round tables, building relationships, showcasing our impact, and raising our external profile.

• Leverage social media strategically to spotlight partnership activity, amplify success stories and demonstrate the value of our partnerships in real time.

• Respond swiftly and professionally to partner and prospective partner requests, ensuring timely, accurate information and follow-up.

• Capture, report and…