Academic Partnerships Manager

Academic Partnerships Manager

• Department: Academic Partnerships / Strategic Partnerships

• Location: Manchester, England, United Kingdom (with travel to partner universities and UKMC campuses as required)

• Salary: £50,000 to £70,000 per annum depending on experience

• Position Type: Permanent – Full-Time

• Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week

• Working Pattern: Monday to Friday

• Reports To: Senior Leadership Team / Designated Director

Job Overview

UK Management College is seeking an experienced and relationship-focused Partnership Manager to support and strengthen collaborative working between UKMC and its university partners.

The postholder will play a key role in maintaining effective partnerships, supporting operational and academic collaboration, and ensuring strong communication between UKMC and partner institutions. The role will involve coordinating partnership activities, supporting compliance and quality processes, and contributing to the development of strategic relationships within the Higher Education sector.

The successful candidate will be based in Manchester with flexibility to travel to university partner sites and UKMC campuses as required.

Key Responsibilities

Partnership Management and Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as a key liaison between UKMC and partner universities for operational and partnership-related matters.

• Build and maintain effective relationships with university representatives, academic teams, and professional service departments.

• Coordinate partnership meetings, operational reviews, and collaborative activities.

• Support the management and implementation of partnership agreements and associated requirements.

• Ensure effective communication between internal departments and external university stakeholders.

• Maintain professional and responsive engagement with partner institutions to support positive working relationships.

Operational Coordination and Compliance

• Support partnership-related operational processes across academic and professional service functions.

• Monitor actions, deadlines, and reporting requirements linked to university partnerships.

• Assist with compliance activities relating to quality assurance, governance, and regulatory expectations within Higher Education.

• Support preparation for audits, reviews, validation events, and partnership monitoring activities.

• Contribute to the development and improvement of partnership processes and operational procedures.

Academic and Institutional Support

• Work collaboratively with academic teams, registry, admissions, quality, compliance, and student services departments.

• Support onboarding and implementation activities for new partnership developments or programme expansions.

• Assist in preparing reports, presentations, and partnership updates for senior management and external stakeholders.

• Contribute to projects and initiatives aimed at enhancing student experience and institutional effectiveness.

Administration and Reporting

• Maintain accurate partnership records, documentation, and tracking systems.

• Ensure timely completion of partnership-related administration and follow-up actions.

• Participate in meetings, institutional activities, and cross-departmental initiatives as required.

Person Specification

Essential

• Degree qualification or equivalent professional experience.

• Previous experience working within Higher Education, partnership management, stakeholder engagement, or university collaboration environments.

• Strong organisational and administrative skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to build professional relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

• Experience coordinating meetings, projects, or operational activities.

• Strong Microsoft Office and reporting skills.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a fast-paced environment.

• Flexibility and willingness to travel where required.

Desirable

• Experience working within a regulated Higher Education provider.

• Knowledge of Office for Students (OfS) requirements and Higher Education quality assurance processes.

• Experience supporting collaborative provision, validation partnerships, or franchised programmes.

• Experience preparing reports or documentation for senior leadership and external stakeholders.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package.

• Opportunities for professional development and career progression.

• Supportive and collaborative working environment.

• Opportunity to work within a growing Higher Education institution.

Equality, Diversity and Safeguarding

UK Management College is committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

UKMC is also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students and expects all staff to share this commitment