Head of Network

ABOUT LIS

The challenges humanity is facing aren’t the stuff of dystopia, science fiction, or textbooks. They’re happening today – and they’ve never been more complex and interconnected.

Yet our higher education system is still structured in silos, leaving graduates ill-equipped to tackle the complexity that surrounds them. The next generation is now demanding to learn in a different way. That’s where The London Interdisciplinary School comes in.

LIS is a start-up university that equips learners with an interdisciplinary toolkit to tackle the complex, real-world problems of the 21st century. With a world-class faculty, five exceptional cohorts and close partnerships with global organisations, LIS is building a new type of education for those who want to shape the world, not just fit in.

We are the first new UK education institution for 50 years to be granted full degree-awarding power since inception, and offer Bachelor’s, Master’s, and soon an MBA programme that take a ground-breaking interdisciplinary approach to education.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As Head of Network , you will be the face of LIS to external partners, acting as a credible and inspiring ambassador for our mission. Your role is to cultivate and expand the LIS Network, creating connections that unlock new opportunities for students, alumni, and the institution.

Externally, you will engage with organisations across industries and stages, articulate the value of LIS’s unique interdisciplinary offerings and identify opportunities for collaboration. You will play a key role in cultivating LIS’s thought leadership by hosting and facilitating high-profile events that showcase our commitment to tackling complex, real-world challenges.

Internally, you will play a pivotal role in connecting the dots, ensuring the right people and resources are involved to advance opportunities. Central to this will be your management of LIS’s CRM system, ensuring that data on our network is meticulously maintained, analysed, and leveraged to inform decisions and measure outcomes.

This is a role for someone who thrives at the intersection of relationship-building, strategic thinking, and intellectual engagement. You’ll report directly to our Chief Marketing Officer and work cross-functionally with every team across LIS.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Partnerships

• Collaborate with all functions to ensure we are meeting key revenue targets. We believe that the most powerful way to build our network is for individuals to experience our programmes in some way, and you will help building the machinery to make this happen.
• Assess and prioritise partnership opportunities based on strategic fit and potential impact, making thoughtful recommendations to internal teams.
• Maintain a holistic understanding of LIS’s full range of programmes and ensure these are effectively communicated to partners.
• Act as the central connector within LIS, involving the right people from Faculty, Marketing, Recruitment & Admissions, or Leadership to advance opportunities effectively.
• Lead the development and implementation of systems to track and manage relationships, ensuring LIS’s partnerships CRM is effectively maintained and leveraged.

Ecosystem Building

• Represent LIS as its external ambassador, engaging with organisations across sectors and stages to champion our mission and programmes.
• Build credibility and trust with stakeholders through a deep understanding of LIS’s interdisciplinary approach, offerings, and impact.
• Host and facilitate thought leadership events, such as salons, roundtables, and public talks, positioning LIS as a leading voice in tackling complex global challenges.
• Actively seek out new partnership opportunities and craft tailored pitches to align external needs with LIS’s offerings.

The ideal candidate will:

• Have at least 5 years of experience in partnerships, business development, or network-building roles
• Be an inspiring and credible ambassador, comfortable engaging with senior stakeholders across sectors and adept at articulating LIS’s vision and value proposition.
• Possess intellectual gravitas and curiosity, capable of hosting and facilitating thought leadership events that resonate with diverse audiences.
• Exhibit strong strategic and organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise and connect opportunities in a fast-moving environment.
• Be a natural relationship builder who thrives on creating meaningful connections and navigating complex stakeholder landscapes.
• Demonstrate a proactive and resourceful mindset, bringing creativity, data-driven decision-making, and a passion for innovation to the role.
• Think long-term: we are building a generational institution, and many of the connections and networks you cultivate will require years of nurturing before delivering their full impact
• Align deeply with LIS’s values: rigour, curiosity, courage, compassion, and meraki.

We value growth mindset and action over years of experience. If you are excited about our mission and believe you can thrive in this role, we want to hear from you—even if your career path has been unconventional.

• £56k – £71k base salary, depending on level of experience
• Flexible working arrangements: a minimum of 2 days per week on campus in East London and up to 1 month remote working abroad annually.
• 30 days holiday. Take time out to be inspired
• Monthly fitness contribution and, on successful completion of your probationary period, company-sponsored health plan
• Annual personal development contribution for external training/coaching

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