Help shape the future of skills in Greater Manchester Greater Manchester Learning Provider Network (GMLPN) is seeking an enthusiastic and relationship-focused Partnership Manager to join our small, ambitious team on a fixed-term maternity cover secondment. This is an exciting opportunity for someone looking to broaden their experience, expand their professional network and play a key role in supporting one of the UK's most established provider networks. Working closely with learning providers, employers, strategic partners and stakeholders across Greater Manchester, you'll help grow and strengthen our membership, develop new partnerships, support business development opportunities and deliver some of the region's leading skills events and programmes.
The Role
As Partnership Manager, you will:
- Build and maintain strong relationships with existing and prospective members.
- Support the growth and retention of GMLPN's membership.
- Develop strategic partnerships with employers, providers and key stakeholders.
- Identify and support business development and funding opportunities.
- Lead on sponsorship opportunities for flagship events, including the GM Skills Awards.
- Support delivery of the Provider Support Programme, Network Meetings and member events.
- Represent GMLPN at external meetings and events across Greater Manchester.
- Contribute to marketing and communications activities that promote GMLPN and its work.
About You
We're looking for someone who:
- Is an excellent relationship builder with outstanding communication skills.
- Has experience of partnership working, stakeholder engagement or business development.
- Is organised, proactive and able to manage multiple priorities.
- Enjoys working collaboratively within a small, supportive team.
- Has an understanding and experience in the further education, skills, employability or apprenticeship landscape.
- Is passionate about making a positive difference to the skills system across Greater Manchester.
This role is offered as a secondment opportunity. Applicants should discuss the opportunity with their current employer before applying and have agreement in principle that they would be supported to undertake the secondment if successful. Any appointment will be subject to a formal secondment agreement between GMLPN and the successful candidate's substantive employer.
Although this role is intended as a 12-month secondment opportunity, we recognise that not all candidates will be able to apply on this basis. We would therefore also consider applications from exceptional candidates seeking a 12-month fixed-term employment contract.
Important Information
This role is offered as a secondment opportunity. Applicants should discuss the opportunity with their current employer before applying and have agreement in principle that they would be supported to undertake the secondment if successful. Any appointment will be subject to a formal secondment agreement between GMLPN and the successful candidate's substantive employer.
Although this role is intended as a 12-month secondment opportunity, we recognise that not all candidates will be able to apply on this basis. We would therefore also consider applications from exceptional candidates seeking a 12-month fixed-term employment contract.
Salary
£30,000-£38,000
Closing Date
5pm, 21 August 2026
Interviews
Week commencing 7 September 2026 [
https://gmlpn.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Partnership-Manager-Secondment-Job-Advert-FINAL.pdf
https://gmlpn.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Partnership-Manager-Job-Description-2026-Secondment-FINAL.pdf
