FE Partnership Manager in Sale

Permanent Full-time

Location: Field-Based with travel (NW, NE, SE, SW)

Reports to: Paul Eaton

Salary: £50,000 - £60,000 + £6,500 car allowance - £65,000 - £78,000 OTE

Line management responsibilities: No

Overview

Training Qualifications UK is the fastest-growing Awarding Organisation in the UK and a market-leading End-Point Assessment Organisation. We work with over 500 schools, colleges, universities, and training providers across the world to provide qualification certificates, endorsements, and apprenticeships to over 150,000 learners.

About this role

In December 2022 we joined the AQA Group and alongside them we are pioneering new approaches to technical education. AQA is the largest provider of GCSEs and A levels, with 92% of all UK schools offering its qualifications. It is globally recognised as a world-leader in education and in acquiring TQUK set out its ambition to do the same in the vocational world. There are major changes ahead in all areas of the FE sector driven by policy reform and the rise of blended study programmes combining academic and vocational qualifications. With TQUK and AQA as a joint force, we are perfectly positioned to deliver a unified, market-leading offer to the FE community.

As a FE Partnership Manager, you won’t just manage accounts, you’ll be a trusted strategic partner to our customers, embedded within their business and aligned with their ambitions. This role is pivotal to our continued growth and reputation as a forward-thinking, customer-centric organisation. You will be responsible for nurturing and expanding relationships with a portfolio of high-value clients, ensuring that every interaction adds meaningful value. Acting as an extension of our customers’ business, you’ll work closely with partners to understand their evolving needs, co-create innovative solutions, and unlock new opportunities for collaboration and growth. This is a highly visible and influential role, requiring a blend of commercial acumen, sector insight, and relationship-building expertise. You’ll lead strategic conversations, facilitate senior-level engagement, and ensure our customers see TQUK and AQA not just as suppliers, but as a proactive partner invested in their success.

Your work will directly contribute to our mission of becoming the number one in technical education, driving revenue growth, enhancing customer satisfaction, and shaping the future of our products and services.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategically lead and expand existing high-value Further Education (FE) partnerships, as well as new acquisition of Further Education partnerships.
• Facilitating regular, insight-led engagement, including orchestrating senior leadership involvement to reinforce strategic alignment and deepen trust.
• Developing tailored account growth strategies, co-creating innovation roadmaps that integrate client ambitions with TQUK/AQA’s evolving qualifications, services, and digital capabilities.
• Championing agile planning to adapt to changing market dynamics and client priorities.
• Ensuring each account delivers beyond transactional value, contributing to TQUK/AQA’s broader growth objectives.
• Acting as an extension of the customers’ business, attending networking events and strategic meetings alongside them to align organisational goals and strengthen collaboration.
• Leverage deep industry knowledge and policy awareness to anticipate client needs and position TQUK/AQA as a proactive, solutions-focused partner driving innovation and measurable impact.
• Build and maintain influential, multi-level stakeholder relationships, fostering transparent communication and cross-functional collaboration.
• Act as a strategic connector across internal teams to unlock new revenue opportunities and enhance client experience.
• Identify and execute opportunities for upselling, cross-selling and partnership growth.
• Lead performance analysis and forecasting for FE accounts, leveraging data insights to inform strategic decisions, mitigate risks, and support long-term planning.
• Present account performance narratives to senior leadership with clarity and impact.
• Ensure rigorous CRM and account intelligence management, maintaining comprehensive records of client interactions, strategic developments, and partnership milestones.
• Promote visibility and continuity across the organisation to support scalable account management and acquisition of new FE Partners in your region.
• Translate market intelligence into actionable insights, collaborating with Sales, Marketing, and Product teams to shape go-to-market strategies, inform qualification development, and enhance TQUK/AQA’s competitive edge.
• Represent TQUK/AQA as a sector thought leader, actively engaging in industry events, forums, and networks.
• Consistently achieve and surpass individual and team sales targets to align with business growth objectives.
• Support with the development and implementation of business development strategies to expand our market presence, exceed company growth and increase revenue by exceeding individual and team KPIs.
• Proficiently negotiate and finalise contracts, ensuring profitable pricing and terms.

Other Responsibilities

• Developing and maintaining an in-depth understanding of TQUK/AQA internal processes, especially those related to the customer journey.
• Maintaining in-depth knowledge of TQUK/AQA products and services, competitors and the regulated qualification industry overall.
• Maintaining an in-depth understanding of regulatory requirements associated with own area of work.
• Undertaking other duties considered within your skill set and competence to assist the smooth running of the business as required.
• Championing the organisations values at all times to model behaviours to wider team staff.
• Working with the Marketing Team to support the development of effective promotional campaigns and materials targeted at key customer segments.

Key Requirements

• Proven and demonstrable experience of working directly within or alongside the further education sector: knowledge, understanding and credibility are key to success in this role.
• Proven track record of success in new business development, preferably within the education or training provider industry.
• Experience in working under pressure and comfortable working against and exceeding defined targets and KPIs.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence and build relationships quickly with key stakeholders at C-Suite level.
• Strong negotiation and contract management skills.
• Accurate pipeline management.
• Ability to gather and interpret market data and trends to define strategic direction and growth.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritise and multitask effectively.
• Proficient in using document management software, collaboration tools, and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate with diverse teams and stakeholders.

Key Benefits

• Training, Qualifications & Apprenticeships. It’s what we do.
• Company sick pay upon completion of probation.
• 25 days annual leave plus 8 days Bank Holiday (33 in total).
• Additional annual leave day each year, after 2 years of continuous service (up to 28 days).
• An extra day off to celebrate your birthday.
• Annual Loyalty Bonus.
• Annual salary review.
• Bupa healthcare benefits.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
• NEST pension.
• Cycle-to-work scheme.
• A positive and supportive working environment.
• Comprehensive onboarding.
• A workplace that supports a healthy work/life balance.

Please note, this role requires frequent national travel within the UK, including our head office, located in Sale, Greater Manchester.

We are an equal opportunities employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Should you require any additional support during the recruitment process due to a disability, please contact us so we can assist you.