The Growth & Partnerships Lead will be responsible for driving sustainable growth in apprenticeship assessment by developing, managing, and expanding strategic partnerships with employers, training providers, industry bodies, and other stakeholders.
This role sits at the intersection of commercial growth, relationship management, and the quality-driven delivery of apprenticeship assessment. You will identify new opportunities, strengthen existing relationships, and ensure the organisation remains a trusted, compliant, and commercially successful awarding organisation within the apprenticeships landscape.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
Growth & Commercial Development
- Develop and deliver a growth strategy for apprenticeship assessment products and services aligned with organisational objectives
- Identify new apprenticeship standards, sectors, and markets for expansion
- Lead on pipeline development, from initial engagement through to onboarding and contract agreement
- Monitor market trends, funding rules, and policy changes to inform growth opportunities
- Contribute to pricing, commercial models, and value propositions for employers and providers
Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement
- Build and maintain strong relationships with employers, training providers, employer groups, and sector bodies
- Act as a senior point of contact for strategic partners, ensuring a high-quality, responsive experience
- Represent the organisation at sector events, employer forums, and industry working groups
- Collaborate with internal teams to ensure partnerships translate into effective operational delivery
Product & Standards Development
- Work closely with assessment, quality, and operations teams to support the development of new products
- Support readiness for new standards, revisions, and regulatory requirements
Quality, Compliance & Reputation
- Ensure all growth and partnership activity aligns with regulatory requirements (e.g. Ofqual, ESFA, IfATE)
- Promote the organisation’s commitment to high-quality, fair, and valid assessment
Internal Collaboration & Leadership
- Work cross-functionally with assessment delivery, quality assurance, finance, and marketing teams
- Contribute to business planning, forecasting, and performance reporting
- Act as a champion for employer and provider voice within the organisation
- Meet with employers or providers on a regular basis to maintain good partner relationships.
Personal Specification:
Essential:
- Proven experience in growth, partnerships, or business development within apprenticeships, assessment, awarding, or vocational education
- Strong understanding of the UK apprenticeships system, including apprenticeship assessment and regulatory frameworks
- Excellent relationship-building and stakeholder management skills
- Demonstrable experience in a growth, partnerships, or business development role within apprenticeships, vocational education, assessment, or skills
- Strong working knowledge of the UK apprenticeships system, including end-point assessment
- Experience building and managing effective relationships with employers, training providers, or sector stakeholders
- Understanding of regulatory and compliance requirements within the apprenticeship or awarding environment
- Experience contributing to commercial strategy, growth planning, or market development
- Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building skills
- Strong commercial awareness with the ability to identify and develop growth opportunities
- Confident communicator with the ability to influence and engage a wide range of audiences
- Ability to work collaboratively across teams while also operating independently
- Strong organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities
- Analytical skills to interpret market information, performance data, and stakeholder feedback
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £28,000.00-£35,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Preston (Lancashire, North West Region)
