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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead partnerships with UK universities and drive Handshake's growth in the region.
- Company: Handshake connects over 17 million students with employers, revolutionising career discovery.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid work, equity options, generous leave, and a £1,500 annual learning stipend.
- Why this job: Join a vibrant team making a real impact on student careers and education.
- Qualifications: 10 years in UK higher education with strong partnership management experience required.
- Other info: Flexible remote work, regular team offsites, and discounts at various retailers.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 48000 £ per year.
Your impact
Handshake is the leading career platform used by over 1,500 universities globally, helping students find great jobs and internships. As we expand into new territories, we are looking for a dynamic and commercially driven University Partnerships Lead to spearhead our growth in the UK market.
As the University Partnerships Lead for the UK, you will play a crucial role in driving Handshake’s expansion within the region. Your primary focus will be to develop and strengthen partnerships with universities across the UK, integrating them into the Handshake network and ensuring they fully leverage our platform.
Your role
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Develop a comprehensive strategy for engaging and partnering with UK universities.
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Build and maintain strong relationships with senior stakeholders in the UK higher education sector.
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Tailor and communicate Handshake’s unique value proposition to align with the needs of UK universities.
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Represent Handshake at key educational forums, conferences, and networking events across the UK.
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Collaborate with marketing to create targeted, market-specific promotional materials.
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Gather market intelligence and provide insights to the product team to ensure alignment with the needs of UK universities.
Your experience
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10 years\’ experience in the UK higher education landscape, with deep expertise in university careers services.
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Proven experience in partnership management or business development, ideally within the education or public sector.
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Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
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Ability to work independently and drive strategic initiatives.
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Flexibility to travel across the UK.
About us
Handshake is the career platform for Gen Z. With a community of over 17 million students, alumni, employers, and career educators, Handshake’s network is where career advice and discovery turn into first, second, and third jobs. Nearly 1 million companies use Handshake to build their future workforce—from Fortune 500 to federal agencies, school districts to startups, healthcare systems to small businesses. Handshake is built for where you’re going, not where you’ve been.
When it comes to our workforce strategy, we’ve thought deeply about how work-life should look at Handshake. With our hybrid-work model, employees benefit from collaboration and shared team experiences three days per week in our vibrant offices, and enjoy the flexibility of remote work two days per week (unless noted in the specific job posting). Handshake is headquartered in San Francisco, with offices in New York, London, and Berlin.
What we offer
At Handshake, we\’ll give you the tools to feel healthy, happy and secure.
Benefits below apply to UK employees in full-time positions.
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Equity and ownership in a fast-growing company.
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16 Weeks of paid parental leave for birth giving parents & 10 weeks of paid parental leave for non-birth giving parents.
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Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision policies including LGTBQ+ Coverage. We also provide resources for Mental Health Assistance, Employee Assistance Programs and counseling support.
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Generous learning & development opportunities and an annual £1,500 stipend for you to grow your skills and career.
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Financial coaching through Origin to help you through your financial journey.
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???? Monthly internet stipend and a brand new MacBook to allow you to do your best work.
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Monthly commuter stipend for you to expense your travel to the office (for office-based employees).
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Free lunch provided 3x a week across all offices.
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Referral bonus to reward you when you bring great talent to Handshake.
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Pension Scheme: Handshake will provide you with a workplace pension, where you will make contributions based on 5% of your salary. Handshake will pay the equivalent of 3% towards your pension plan, subject to qualifying earnings limits.
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Up to 25 days of vacation to encourage people to reset, recharge, and refresh, in addition to 8 bank holidays throughout the year.
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Regular offsites each year to bring the team together + opportunity to travel to our HQ in San Francisco.
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️ Discounts across various high street retailers, cinemas and other social activities exclusively for Handshake UK employees.
Looking for more? Explore our mission, values and comprehensive US benefits at joinhandshake.com/careers.
Handshake is committed to providing reasonable accommodations in our recruitment processes for candidates with disabilities, sincerely held religious beliefs or other reasons protected by applicable laws. If you need assistance or reasonable accommodation, please let your recruiter know during initial communications.
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University Partnerships Lead, UK employer: Handshake
Contact Detail:
Handshake Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land University Partnerships Lead, UK
✨Tip Number 1
Network actively within the UK higher education sector. Attend university events, career fairs, and educational conferences to meet key stakeholders and build relationships that could lead to partnerships.
✨Tip Number 2
Research the specific needs and challenges faced by UK universities in terms of career services. Tailor your conversations and presentations to demonstrate how Handshake can address these issues effectively.
✨Tip Number 3
Leverage social media platforms like LinkedIn to connect with university leaders and share insights about Handshake's impact on student career success. This can help you establish credibility and visibility in the market.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on trends in the UK higher education landscape. Understanding current developments will allow you to engage in informed discussions and position Handshake as a forward-thinking partner.
We think you need these skills to ace University Partnerships Lead, UK
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the University Partnerships Lead position. Tailor your application to highlight your relevant experience in partnership management and the UK higher education landscape.
Craft a Compelling CV: Your CV should clearly showcase your 10 years of experience in the UK higher education sector. Emphasise your leadership skills and any successful partnerships you've managed. Use quantifiable achievements to demonstrate your impact.
Write a Tailored Cover Letter: In your cover letter, address how your background aligns with Handshake's mission and values. Highlight specific examples of how you've developed strategies for engaging universities and your ability to communicate effectively with senior stakeholders.
Showcase Your Knowledge of the Sector: Demonstrate your understanding of the UK higher education landscape in your application. Mention any relevant trends or challenges that universities face and how you can help them leverage Handshake’s platform to overcome these issues.
How to prepare for a job interview at Handshake
✨Research the Company and Role
Before your interview, make sure to thoroughly research Handshake and understand its mission, values, and the specifics of the University Partnerships Lead role. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate your genuine interest in the position.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement Questions
Given the importance of building relationships with senior stakeholders in the UK higher education sector, be ready to discuss your experience in partnership management. Prepare examples that showcase your ability to engage and maintain strong relationships.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
The role requires developing a comprehensive strategy for engaging UK universities. Be prepared to discuss your approach to strategic planning and provide examples of how you've successfully implemented strategies in previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Flexibility and Adaptability
Since the role involves travel across the UK and adapting to different university needs, highlight your flexibility and adaptability in previous positions. Share experiences where you successfully navigated changing environments or requirements.
