At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape partnerships to enhance sight loss services and secure sustainable income.
- Company: Join Henshaws, a charity dedicated to supporting those with sight loss.
- Benefits: Enjoy 5 weeks annual leave, 10 bank holidays, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a supportive and dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the community while building influential relationships.
- Qualifications: Experience in business development or strategic partnerships is essential.
Shape the partnerships that strengthen sight loss services across Greater Manchester. As Strategic Partnerships Manager at Henshaws, you will open doors across health, public sector, business and community networks, turning relationships into sustainable income and lasting impact.
Location: Greater Manchester office, with travel required
Contract: Permanent
Hours: 35 hours per week. We welcome interest from applicants who may prefer to work part time
Weeks per year: 52
Salary: £23.06 per hour, £41,969.20 per annum
Annual leave: 5 weeks plus 10 bank holidays
Closing date: 12 noon, 14 June 2026
DBS: Enhanced DBS check with the child barring list required
About the role
We are looking for a confident and proactive Strategic Partnerships Manager to help grow sustainable income and strengthen Henshaws Sight Loss Services across Greater Manchester. This is a key role for someone who can spot opportunities, build influential relationships and turn conversations into contracts, partnerships and income. You will work across public sector commissioning, corporate partnerships, VCSE networks, community organisations and wider Greater Manchester systems to help position Henshaws as a trusted partner in sight loss support. You will identify and pursue opportunities with NHS, Local Authority, ICS and ICB partners, public health, social care, SEND and sight loss pathways. You will also grow corporate income through proactive prospecting, sponsorship approaches, employer engagement and partnership development. Working closely with our Sight Loss operational teams, you will help shape service models, proposals, bids and tenders that reflect local need and clearly demonstrate the impact of Henshaws work.
What you will be doing
- Identify and develop commissioning, contract and funding opportunities across Greater Manchester.
- Build relationships with NHS, Local Authority, public health, social care, VCSE, corporate and community partners.
- Lead activity across the commissioning cycle, including horizon scanning, relationship building, tender development, pricing input and mobilisation support.
- Work with Sight Loss operational teams to shape service models, delivery plans, outcome frameworks and costed proposals.
- Develop compelling corporate proposals and pitches that clearly show social value, impact and return on investment.
- Build and manage a structured pipeline of prospects, tracking activity from first contact through to secured income.
- Represent Henshaws at Greater Manchester meetings, locality groups, VCSE alliances, prevention networks and sight loss sector forums.
- Support collaborative or joint bid opportunities where partnership working strengthens Henshaws position.
- Contribute to wider fundraising activity, including events, supporter stewardship and departmental initiatives.
- Produce reports, forecasts and performance updates to support decision making and future planning.
About you
We are looking for someone who is opportunity focused, resilient and confident building relationships with senior decision makers. You will have experience in business development, sales, income generation or strategic partnerships within a target driven environment. You will understand the sales cycle, from prospecting and first contact through to scoping, pitching, negotiation and relationship management. You will be confident preparing bids, tenders or commercial proposals, and able to translate service knowledge, financial information and policy priorities into strong, persuasive proposals. You will be highly organised, comfortable managing a structured pipeline, and able to balance competing priorities while maintaining momentum. Experience within a charity, VCSE, health or education setting would be valuable. Experience engaging with public sector bodies such as the NHS or Local Authorities would also be beneficial, but we welcome applicants with strong transferable experience and the willingness to quickly develop knowledge of the sight loss landscape.
Our values
At Henshaws, our values guide how we work with the people we support, our colleagues, partners and supporters.
- Ambition - You will help us grow sustainable income by spotting opportunities, building strategic partnerships and strengthening our impact across Greater Manchester.
- Respect - You will build trusted, professional relationships across public sector, corporate, VCSE and community networks, acting with integrity in every interaction.
- Empowerment - You will help partners understand the difference they can make, working with colleagues and stakeholders to create services and opportunities that support people to thrive.
Why join Henshaws?
You will be joining a charity with a clear purpose and a strong commitment to supporting people living with sight loss and a range of disabilities. This role offers the chance to shape meaningful partnerships across Greater Manchester, influence local systems and help secure the income that strengthens vital sight loss services. We welcome interest from applicants who may prefer to work part time, and we offer 5 weeks annual leave plus 10 bank holidays.
Additional information
Henshaws welcomes applications from all sections of the community. We will make reasonable adjustments for applicants who require support due to a disability. Henshaws is committed to safeguarding vulnerable adults and children. The successful candidate may be required to complete an enhanced DBS disclosure check, including relevant barring lists.
Strategic Partnerships Manager employer: Henshaws Society for Blind People
Henshaws is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals living with sight loss and disabilities. Located in Greater Manchester, we foster a collaborative work culture that values ambition, respect, and empowerment, offering generous benefits such as 5 weeks of annual leave plus 10 bank holidays, and flexible working options. Join us to develop your career through strategic partnerships while contributing to vital community services and enjoying opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Contact Detail:
Henshaws Society for Blind People Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Partnerships Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the health, public sector, and community organisations. Attend local events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. Remember, it’s all about building those relationships that can lead to opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Be proactive in your approach! Don’t wait for opportunities to come to you; go out and find them. Research potential partners and reach out with tailored proposals that highlight how you can create value together. Show them what you bring to the table!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for meetings like it’s game day! Know your stuff inside out—understand the needs of your potential partners and how Henshaws can meet those needs. Bring data, success stories, and a clear vision of how collaboration can make a difference.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up and keep the conversation going! After meetings or networking events, send a quick message to thank them for their time and reiterate your interest in working together. Staying on their radar can make all the difference when opportunities arise.
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Partnerships Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Strategic Partnerships Manager role. Highlight your experience in building relationships and generating income, as these are key aspects of the job. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at Henshaws!
Showcase Your Impact:When writing about your past experiences, focus on the impact you've made in previous roles. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to turn opportunities into successful partnerships. This will help us understand how you can contribute to strengthening sight loss services.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Avoid jargon and make sure your key achievements stand out. We appreciate straightforward communication, so let us see your strengths without any fluff!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team at Henshaws!
How to prepare for a job interview at Henshaws Society for Blind People
✨Know Your Partnerships
Before the interview, dive deep into Henshaws and its mission. Understand their current partnerships and how they impact sight loss services in Greater Manchester. This knowledge will help you discuss how you can contribute to strengthening these relationships.
✨Showcase Your Networking Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully built relationships in previous roles. Be ready to discuss specific instances where your networking led to tangible outcomes, especially in public sector or community settings. This will demonstrate your ability to open doors for Henshaws.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Income Generation
Since this role focuses on sustainable income, come prepared with ideas on how to identify and pursue funding opportunities. Think about innovative approaches you've used in the past and be ready to share them during the interview.
✨Understand the Sales Cycle
Brush up on your knowledge of the sales cycle, particularly in relation to public sector commissioning and corporate partnerships. Be prepared to explain how you would manage the pipeline from prospecting to securing contracts, showcasing your strategic thinking.
