At a Glance
- Tasks: Rebuild university partnerships from scratch and create impactful relationships.
- Company: PE-backed tech services and education business focused on STEM talent.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, senior visibility, and ownership of your role.
- Other info: Frequent UK travel to Russell Group universities required.
- Why this job: Shape the future of university partnerships and drive real results.
- Qualifications: Experience in university partnerships and strong relationship-building skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 50000 € per year.
This is a true build role. You’ll be the first person in this position in several years, responsible for rebuilding the university partnerships programme from the ground up. You’ll shape the strategy, build the relationships, and create the model.
Our client is a PE-backed technology services and education business that places exceptional STEM talent into some of the UK’s most demanding organisations. University partnerships are a key focus for their next stage of growth, and they need someone who knows how to make them succeed. This is a hands-on role with significant travel. You’ll visit Russell Group universities across the UK, build relationships with careers teams and student societies, and set up tiered partnerships that deliver real results such as allocated fair positions, third-year email access, and on-campus presentation slots.
During quieter academic periods, you’ll focus on planning, mapping target universities, building contact lists, and designing the engagement calendar. The focus is clear: Russell Group institutions and STEM departments like Computer Science, Engineering, AI, and Data. You’ll know which career fairs are worth attending, which months to avoid, and how to get a university careers team truly interested in a partnership.
What we’re looking for:
- Proven experience in university partnerships, graduate recruitment or higher education engagement
- A track record of building real, lasting institutional relationships with proven results
- Polished, articulate, and confident in person, both on campus and in meetings
- Degree-educated, ideally from a Russell Group or equivalent institution
- Comfortable with regular UK travel (travel expenses provided)
What’s on offer:
- Senior visibility and genuine ownership of a function
- A business where your work directly feeds commercial growth and valuation
- Real scope to build a team as the function scales
This role involves regular travel to universities across the UK. If you are not comfortable with frequent travel, this may not be the right fit.
Partnerships Manager employer: Akaina Talent
As a Partnerships Manager at our PE-backed technology services and education business, you will thrive in a dynamic work culture that values innovation and collaboration. With significant opportunities for professional growth, you will have the autonomy to shape the university partnerships programme and make a tangible impact on the company's success. Enjoy the benefits of a competitive salary, travel expenses covered, and the chance to build lasting relationships with top-tier universities across the UK, all while contributing to the development of exceptional STEM talent.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Partnerships Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend university career fairs and events to meet key players in the industry. Building relationships with careers teams and student societies is crucial, so don’t be shy – introduce yourself and share your passion for partnerships.
✨Tip Number 2
Do your homework on target universities! Research Russell Group institutions and their STEM departments. Knowing which universities to focus on will help you tailor your approach and make a lasting impression when you reach out.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive in your outreach! Don’t wait for opportunities to come to you. Create a list of contacts at universities and start reaching out to them. A well-timed email or call can open doors to potential partnerships.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your results! When you land an interview, be ready to discuss your past successes in building partnerships. Use specific examples to demonstrate how you’ve created value in previous roles, and how you plan to do the same here.
We think you need these skills to ace Partnerships Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Partnerships Manager role. Highlight your experience in university partnerships and any relevant achievements that showcase your ability to build relationships and drive results.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about this role and how your background aligns with the job description. Be sure to mention your understanding of the Russell Group and STEM focus.
Showcase Your Travel Experience:Since this role involves significant travel, don’t forget to mention any previous roles where you’ve travelled for work. Highlight how you managed your time and built relationships on the go!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get to know you better!
How to prepare for a job interview at Akaina Talent
✨Know Your Universities
Before the interview, do your homework on Russell Group universities and their specific STEM departments. Understand their career services and what they offer to students. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your commitment to building partnerships and show that you’re genuinely interested in their institutions.
✨Showcase Your Relationship-Building Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully built relationships in previous roles. Be ready to discuss specific strategies you used to engage with university teams or student societies. Highlight any measurable outcomes from these partnerships to illustrate your impact.
✨Be Ready for Hands-On Discussions
Since this is a hands-on role, be prepared to discuss how you would approach rebuilding the university partnerships programme. Think about your strategy for mapping target universities and designing an engagement calendar. Presenting a clear plan will show that you’re proactive and ready to take ownership.
✨Understand the Travel Commitment
Given the significant travel involved, express your comfort with frequent trips across the UK. Share any relevant experiences where you managed travel effectively while maintaining productivity. This will reassure them that you can handle the demands of the role.
