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- Tasks: Lead partnership development and manage relationships to boost the Help to Grow: Management programme.
- Company: Join Chartered ABS, the voice of the UK's business school sector, driving impactful programmes.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model with 2 days WFH and competitive salary plus opportunities for growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in small business leadership while building a strategic network.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in partnership management, strong communication skills, and project management experience required.
- Other info: This is a fixed-term contract until March 2026, perfect for those seeking impactful work.
The predicted salary is between 43000 - 77000 £ per year.
Salary: £50k-55k
Location: London/Hybrid - 2 days WFH and 3 days office
FTC until March 2026
About CABS
Chartered ABS is the representative body for the UK’s business school sector. Our award-winning team support our world-class business schools through lobbying, conferences, events, research, and national programmes such as the Help to Grow: Management Course. We are passionate about delivering a programme with a purpose.
What is the Help to Grow: Management Course?
The Help to Grow: Management Course is a nationwide leadership course created to help small business leaders boost their leadership skills and the performance of their business. It consists of 12 modules, 1-to-1 mentoring and a peer network. The course is delivered by more than 60 business schools across the UK who are members of the Chartered Association of Business Schools (Chartered ABS) and have been accredited with the Small Business Charter.
The programme is promoted through a wide range of marketing activity which is delivered by the Chartered ABS Help to Grow: Management Demand Generation team and the business schools’ marketing teams. Small business leaders completing the course become members of the Help to Grow: Management Alumni Network, a network which will extend beyond the life of government funding for the course to become a continued source of support and growth for thousands of small business leaders. Over 10,000 business leaders have already enrolled on the course; this number grows by the week.
About the role
We are seeking an experienced and enthusiastic Relationship and Partnership Manager to join our team. You will be responsible for the full cycle of partnership development: finding and generating leads; building relationships; contracting; and account management. You will be responsible for ensuring partner opportunities are leveraged effectively across the various aspects of the Help to Grow: Management programme. In particular, with the Demand Generation Senior Stakeholder Manager to maximise the value of national partnerships at a regional and local level to increase Help to Grow: Management Course enrolments. You will also manage a range of stakeholders in the Chartered Association of Business Schools and the Small Business Charter.
You will be responsible for realising the full collaborative potential of existing partnerships and finding new ways of delivering support to help our demand generation, business schools and alumni. For example, securing the use of partner venue facilities for events or arranging partner contacts to provide speakers for events or content.
Principal Job Functions and Main Tasks
We’re looking for a self-starter with great interpersonal and leadership skills and a collaborative approach who understands our mission and can build a strategic network of partnerships to help deliver that mission. You’ll be comfortable managing and prioritising your own workload; managing our new partner pipeline; ensuring we’re maintaining and strengthening our relationships with current partners; coming up with fresh ideas; and ensuring opportunities are communicated and embedded across all workstreams within the organisation.
- Add value to the programme as a whole, making the most of partnerships and collaborations with government agencies and third-parties organisations with similar missions/strategic goals.
- Work closely with senior stakeholders from across the organisation to improve transparency around stakeholder engagement and leveraging opportunities.
Experience
- At least 5 years’ experience working in a partnership and/or relationship management role
- Experience of developing and building partnerships with external organisations
- Managing senior stakeholder relationships
- Project management. Ability to work to deadlines and schedule your timelines around project and company wide plans
- Account management and tracking performance and/or KPIs
- Experience of proposal and report writing.
- Reviewing terms and negotiating and securing contracts
Skills
- Strong interpersonal skills – good relationship builder
- Strong public speaker who can create and deliver a great presentation
- Fluency in spoken and written English
- Excellent written and verbal communication – ability to write compelling commercial proposals and present proposals
- Ability to identify strategic opportunities through collaboration
- Ability to manage multiple and competing priorities
- Desire to develop and undertake training as required
- Willing to travel and work flexibly
- Ability to use CRM systems and use data to generate partner tracking reports and dashboards
Contact Detail:
Chartered Association of Business Schools Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Relationship and Partnership Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network actively within the business school sector and related industries. Attend relevant conferences, workshops, and events to meet potential partners and stakeholders. Building these connections can give you a head start in understanding the landscape and identifying opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the Help to Grow: Management programme and its objectives. Understanding the nuances of the programme will allow you to speak confidently about it and demonstrate how your skills can contribute to its success during discussions with stakeholders.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your interpersonal and public speaking skills by engaging in community events or local business forums. This not only enhances your visibility but also allows you to practice building relationships and presenting ideas effectively, which are crucial for this role.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the current partnerships and collaborations that Chartered ABS has in place. Understanding existing relationships will help you identify gaps and propose innovative ideas on how to enhance these partnerships or create new ones.
We think you need these skills to ace Relationship and Partnership Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in partnership and relationship management. Focus on your achievements in building partnerships, managing stakeholders, and any project management experience that aligns with the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for the Help to Grow: Management programme. Explain how your skills and experiences make you the perfect fit for the Relationship and Partnership Manager role, and provide specific examples of past successes.
Highlight Key Skills: Emphasise your strong interpersonal skills, public speaking abilities, and experience in proposal writing. Mention your familiarity with CRM systems and how you've used data to track performance in previous roles.
Showcase Your Understanding of the Organisation: Demonstrate your knowledge of Chartered ABS and the Help to Grow: Management programme in your application. This shows that you are genuinely interested in the role and understand the mission of the organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at Chartered Association of Business Schools
✨Showcase Your Relationship-Building Skills
As a Relationship and Partnership Manager, your ability to build and maintain relationships is crucial. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you successfully developed partnerships or managed stakeholder relationships. Highlight your interpersonal skills and how they contributed to successful outcomes.
✨Demonstrate Your Project Management Experience
This role requires strong project management abilities. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've managed, focusing on how you prioritised tasks, met deadlines, and tracked performance. Use metrics or KPIs to illustrate your success in managing projects effectively.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving and strategic thinking skills. Think about potential challenges you might face in this role and how you would address them. This will show your understanding of the position and your proactive approach to overcoming obstacles.
✨Research the Help to Grow: Management Course
Familiarise yourself with the Help to Grow: Management Course and its objectives. Understanding the programme will allow you to speak knowledgeably about how you can contribute to its success. Be prepared to discuss how your skills align with the goals of the course and the needs of small business leaders.
