Head of Partnerships in Leeds

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. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐥𝐥 𝐠𝐞𝐭 * 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 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 * 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 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐞’𝐫𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 * 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