Partnerships Lead for Women\'s Professional Network in Southampton
Partnerships Lead for Women\'s Professional Network

Partnerships Lead for Women\'s Professional Network in Southampton

Southampton Full-Time 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead partnerships and drive growth for a global women's professional network.
  • Company: Join Meat Business Women, empowering women in the meat and food industries.
  • Benefits: Flexible working options, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional development.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact by promoting gender equality and building strategic relationships.
  • Qualifications: Proven experience in business development and a passion for empowering women.
  • Other info: Dynamic role with potential for career growth and influence in a global network.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.

Meat Business Women (MBW) is the global professional networking group for women working across the meat and food manufacturing industries, assuring the sustainability of the sector by attracting and retaining the best possible talent. MBW was established in 2015 and now operates across the UK, Ireland and Australia, with members in 22 countries globally. In addition, it is recognised by the United Nations as a solution to one of their Sustainable Development Goals. In 2021, Meat Business Women transitioned into a membership organisation and launched a website from which individuals can become a Meat Business Women member. Alongside individual memberships, corporate businesses can become a Partner with MBW, with 57 Partners to date.

Partnerships unlock a host of benefits for our Corporate Partners: For their members this includes training, development, mentoring, networking and attendance at flagship events, all of which build confidence through experiences. For the Corporate Partners themselves, MBW provides a crucial support function for their ESG & L&D initiatives. We deliver a mixture of research and DEI leadership, as well as online and onsite delivery, aligning with the needs of the business in meeting their progression goals.

In 2026, MBW is proudly launching the third round of its Global Gender Representation Research, which is a globally recognised benchmark that tracks gender balance across the food and meat manufacturing industry. Data is independently analysed and submitted to the United Nations. This 2026 edition will provide the most comprehensive picture yet of gender representation across the full food supply chain and help identify opportunities to strengthen inclusion, leadership pipelines, and talent retention. Alongside existing programs of delivery to our Partners, the outputs from this work will help to shape the future needs of our industry, our partners and its members in 2026, and beyond.

This is an initial 10-month maternity cover role, starting from February 2026 onwards. We may seek to extend the role beyond this timeline and are open to the possibility of either full time or part time contracts for this time period. For MBW, it’s about finding the right person with the right passion to deliver for our Partners!

The role will have accountability and responsibility for the delivery of the strategy. It will protect and develop a specific ring-fenced portion of our more Strategic relationships, whilst seeking new growth opportunities within the corporate space.

This is a role for an energetic and enthusiastic, commercially-driven professional who has a proven track record of onsite delivery and business development. They will understand the importance of delighting the customer and growing upon solid and strongly maintained partnerships. A commitment to empowering women in the industry is a must. The objective of the role is to promote and expand the company’s commercial activity that will generate revenues and lead to sustainable growth. The role reports into the new Managing Director of Meat Business Women, working across the whole team (UK & elsewhere) to deliver into our success.

Partnerships Lead – What Success Looks Like

As Partnerships Lead at MBW, you’ll be the driving force behind building and nurturing our Strategic account relationships. This role is about influence, impact, and creating value for partners—combining commercial growth with relationship excellence, ensuring MBW is indispensable to partners.

Core Attributes for Success

  • Commercial Acumen with Purpose: You understand how to grow revenue while aligning with MBW’s mission. You see partnerships as strategic levers, not transactions, and can balance commercial goals with long-term relationship building.
  • Relationship Builder & Connector: You thrive on creating meaningful connections across diverse stakeholders—from HR leaders to senior executives. You know how to engage, listen, and tailor solutions that make MBW indispensable to our partners.
  • Strategic yet Practical: You can think strategically about growth and priorities, while also rolling up your sleeves to deliver—whether onboarding a partner, coordinating an event, or producing a tailored update.
  • Insight-Driven & Curious: You bring fresh ideas by spotting trends and understanding partner needs. You’re proactive in recommending solutions that add measurable value, from talent initiatives to engagement programs.
  • Influential Communicator: You articulate MBW’s value proposition with clarity and confidence, inspiring partners and internal teams alike. You’re comfortable leading meetings, presenting to senior stakeholders and members alike, and representing MBW at industry events. You are comfortable navigating and networking within partner businesses, understanding that these may be complex in nature.
  • Collaborative Leadership: You lead through influence, not hierarchy—collaborating with the MBW team and working seamlessly with partners to deliver consistent, high-quality experiences.

What You’ll Deliver

  • Deep, trusted relationships with existing partners that translate into retention and advocacy.
  • A pipeline of new partnerships that drives sustainable growth, working alongside the MBW team on a unified strategy across both Meat and Food Manufacturing.
  • Engagement initiatives that make MBW a “must-have” for partner organisations, be that in-person or online as needed.
  • Clear, data-backed reporting on KPIs and impact for key contacts, be they at Management level, within the People function, Marketing or elsewhere within the org.
  • Strategic input that shapes MBW’s membership and partnership evolution.

About the process

We are looking to have informal calls in December / Early January and a formal interview in late January, with references as part of this process.

Partnerships Lead for Women\'s Professional Network in Southampton employer: Meat Business Women

At Meat Business Women, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions the empowerment of women in the meat and food manufacturing industries. Our vibrant work culture fosters collaboration and innovation, offering employees ample opportunities for professional growth through training, mentoring, and networking events. Located across the UK, Ireland, and Australia, we provide a unique platform for meaningful engagement with global partners, making every role impactful and rewarding.
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Contact Detail:

Meat Business Women Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Partnerships Lead for Women\'s Professional Network in Southampton

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential partners or mentors. Remember, it’s all about building those relationships that can lead to opportunities.

✨Tip Number 2

Show your passion! When you’re chatting with potential employers or partners, let your enthusiasm for empowering women in the industry shine through. Share your ideas on how you can contribute to their goals and make a real impact.

✨Tip Number 3

Be prepared to showcase your skills! Have examples ready of how you’ve successfully built partnerships or driven growth in previous roles. This will help you stand out and demonstrate that you’re the right fit for the Partnerships Lead role.

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Meat Business Women community. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!

We think you need these skills to ace Partnerships Lead for Women\'s Professional Network in Southampton

Commercial Acumen
Relationship Building
Business Development
Strategic Thinking
Influential Communication
Stakeholder Engagement
Data Analysis
Project Coordination
Networking Skills
Customer Focus
Problem-Solving
Adaptability
Leadership
Curiosity

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for empowering women in the industry shine through. We want to see your genuine interest in the role and how it aligns with our mission at Meat Business Women.

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant experience in partnerships and business development. We love seeing how your skills can directly contribute to our goals, so don’t hold back!

Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your key achievements and experiences are easy to spot. Use bullet points if it helps!

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!

How to prepare for a job interview at Meat Business Women

✨Know Your Partnerships Inside Out

Before the interview, dive deep into Meat Business Women’s existing partnerships and understand their value. Be ready to discuss how you can enhance these relationships and bring in new partners that align with MBW's mission.

✨Showcase Your Relationship-Building Skills

Prepare examples of how you've successfully built and maintained strategic relationships in the past. Highlight your ability to connect with diverse stakeholders and tailor solutions that meet their needs—this is crucial for the role!

✨Be Strategic Yet Practical

Think about how you can balance long-term growth strategies with practical execution. Be prepared to discuss specific initiatives you would implement to onboard new partners or enhance existing ones, showing that you can roll up your sleeves when needed.

✨Communicate with Confidence

Practice articulating MBW’s value proposition clearly and confidently. You’ll need to inspire both partners and internal teams, so be ready to demonstrate your communication skills through mock presentations or discussions during the interview.

Partnerships Lead for Women\'s Professional Network in Southampton
Meat Business Women
Location: Southampton
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