At a Glance
- Tasks: Own the partnership lifecycle, from outreach to renewal, driving impactful relationships.
- Company: Join a mission-driven company focused on education and social impact.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment where you can shape strategies and make a difference.
- Why this job: Combine commercial success with meaningful contributions to education.
- Qualifications: Experience in B2B sales and relationship management with senior leaders.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Requirements
- You don’t need to have worked in education before - we’ll teach you that. But you’ll thrive if you’re:
- A consultative B2B seller with experience managing multi-stakeholder deals
- Skilled at building relationships with senior leaders and driving long-term partnerships
- Strategic and commercially sharp - you balance mission with metrics
- Highly organised and proactive, able to manage complex accounts and multiple renewals
- Confident leading presentations, negotiations, and executive-level discussions
- A collaborative team player who shares insights and lifts others up
You’ll love this role if...
- You want to combine serious commercial growth with social impact
- You enjoy strategic selling and influencing senior stakeholders
- You thrive in fast-paced, scaling environments where you can shape the playbook
What the job involves
- As a Partnerships Manager you’ll own the full partnership lifecycle: from outreach and negotiation through to activation, expansion, and renewal
- You’ll work with senior stakeholders across MATs - CEOs, CFOs, HRDs - to understand their priorities, design solutions, and show the impact Zen can deliver
- Personalised and thoughtful outreach to school and MAT leaders
- Build and manage relationships with trust central teams to secure Preferred Supplier Agreements (PSAs)
- Lead consultative discovery conversations with MAT decision-makers, understanding their recruitment setup, challenges, and goals
- Develop tailored proposals and presentations that demonstrate Zen’s impact and ROI
- Partner with Account Managers and Regional Leads to ensure smooth activation of new PSAs across individual schools
- Conduct termly reviews with central teams to monitor performance, address challenges, and identify growth opportunities
- Track and lead renewal conversations, ensuring every trust stays engaged and grows their use of Zen
- Stay ahead of sector trends (DfE funding shifts, MAT growth, competitor movement) to inform strategy and conversations
It’s a strategic, high-impact role where relationship-building meets execution - and every deal you close delivers tangible value to schools.
Partnerships Manager in Birmingham employer: Zen Educate
At Zen, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture, where every team member is empowered to make a meaningful impact. As a Partnerships Manager, you'll benefit from comprehensive training, opportunities for professional growth, and the chance to collaborate with senior leaders in the education sector, all while contributing to our mission of driving social change through strategic partnerships. Located in a vibrant area, our workplace encourages innovation and teamwork, making it an ideal environment for those looking to thrive in a fast-paced, scaling organisation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Partnerships Manager in Birmingham
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Zen Educate.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Zen Educate.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Zen Educate.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Zen Educate. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Partnerships Manager in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Zen Educate. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Partnerships Manager, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Zen Educate
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Zen Educate. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
