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Are you a commercially minded leader with a passion for building high-impact partnerships? At The Opportunity Provider, we are seeking a Head of Public Sector Partnerships to spearhead our strategic engagement with key public sector bodies, including Local Authorities, Government departments, Mayoral Combined Authorities, and NHS Trusts. In this pivotal leadership role, you will be the driving force behind our growth, positioning us as the trusted, preferred partner for publicly funded programmes. You will bridge the gap between national policy and local delivery, shaping collaborative solutions that respond directly to community needs while extending our organizational impact.
Job Responsibility
Strategic Relationship Management: Lead the charge in building and managing high-level, strategic relationships with diverse stakeholders across the public sector landscape, including Combined Authorities and the NHS
Centralised Coordination: Take full ownership of existing public sector relationships and establish a centralised, coordinated approach to managing them effectively across the organization
Opportunity Identification: Identify and assess critical funding and partnership streams across Apprenticeships, Adult Skills, Youth Guarantee, NEET, DWP, and Pre-Employment programmes
Early Engagement & Positioning: Ensure we are at the forefront of the market by leading early positioning activity to ensure The Opportunity Provider is well-placed for upcoming tenders and funding calls
Collaborative Bid Development: Work hand-in-hand with our internal curriculum, operations, marketing, and finance teams to design compelling, winning propositions and co-develop high-quality bid content
Market Intelligence & Representation: Represent the organization at regional and national forums and local skills events to raise our profile and gather vital market intelligence
Pipeline Management: Maintain and report on a robust pipeline of partnership and funding opportunities, tracking progress against key performance indicators (KPIs) like bid conversion rates and funding value
Policy & Strategy Alignment: Stay informed on local and national policy developments and funding rules to inform our growth strategy and support the development of regional plans
Contract Mobilisation Support: Working closely with Operations to ensure contracts are mobilised effectively
Requirements
Proven experience in business development, partnerships, or stakeholder engagement within Further Education, skills, employability, or the public sector
A strong understanding of government-funded training programmes, including Apprenticeships, Adult Education Budget (AEB), DWP contracts, and Skills Bootcamps
Demonstrable success in securing funding or contracts through competitive bidding or strategic partnerships
The ability to align external market opportunities with internal capabilities to drive sustainable growth
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with direct experience contributing to professional bids and tenders
A commitment to professionalism, reliability, and honesty, combined with the ability to manage multiple priorities independently
An enthusiastic and proactive attitude, with a deep commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and continuous professional growth
What we offer
A competitive salary + tax-free bonus
25 days’ holiday (plus bank holidays), plus a day off for your birthday
Option to buy/sell up to 5 additional leave days
Healthcare cash plan, dental plan, and 24/7 GP access