Head of Strategy and Partnerships - Contract Role
Location - London/Hybrid (with UK-wide travel)
Contract: Full-time
About the Role:
My client is looking for a strategic and entrepreneurial senior leader to shape and deliver their Strategy and Partnerships. As the Head of Strategy and Partnerships, you’ll play a pivotal role in driving forward an ambitious plan in engagement — curating a distinctive UK-wide portfolio of events, content, and networks that support our alumni’s growth journey beyond the course.
Key Responsibilities:
* Develop and implement a future-focused strategy.
* Lead the development of segmented engagement plans and research-driven support initiatives.
* Align with wider government SME strategy and write proposals for senior approval.
* Build and deepen partnerships with stakeholders, universities, and delivery partners across the UK.
* Collaborate with curriculum leads, advisory councils, and academic experts.
* Work closely with the Head of Marketing and Demand Generation to shape compelling outreach campaigns.
* Oversee segmentation and policy intervention delivery across alumni cohorts.
* Lead the production of a national alumni event programme, including 4 major UK events and a year-round webinar series.
* Line management of 2 staff.
* Ensure all communications and events maintain exceptional service standards, with high engagement and measurable outcomes.
What We’re Looking For:
Essential:
* Proven experience in engagement, knowledge exchange, or similar roles in higher education, trade associations, or commercial membership organisations.
* Ability to secure partnerships the business can develop to support in offerings for the alumni or support in delivering events.
* Demonstrated leadership in building and managing high-performing teams.
* Strong background in event production, programme development, and strategic delivery.
* Experience working closely with marketing and communications teams to generate compelling content and campaigns.
* Skilled at managing multiple stakeholders, with exceptional collaboration and influencing abilities.
* Ability to monetize.
* Commercially savvy, with budget and operations management experience.
* Excellent verbal and written communication, and confident in producing formal strategy papers and presentations.
* Strategic thinker with outstanding project and portfolio management skills.
Desirable:
* Experience in developing sponsorship or partnership packages.
* Familiarity with CRM systems and using data for engagement strategy development.
* Knowledge of SME challenges and policy frameworks supporting their growth.