Academic Partnerships Manager

BIMM University; Manchester; On-site; GBP 39,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday

Smart pension

Benefits package

Job summary

BIMM University invites applications for an Academic Partnerships Manager to lead the operation and development of its partnerships portfolio. You will collaborate with partner institutions and BIMM teams to deliver high-quality outcomes for students while ensuring regulatory compliance and quality assurance.

Overseeing the full partnership lifecycle, you’ll drive opportunity development, governance, performance monitoring and relationship management, contributing to continuous improvement

Qualifications

• Experience managing collaborative provision, academic partnerships or complex external stakeholder relationships within a higher education environment.
• Strong understanding of higher education quality assurance, governance and regulatory frameworks.
• Experience building effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders to achieve shared objectives.
• Ability to evaluate performance, identify risks and opportunities, and make informed recommendations.
• Experience managing complex projects or workstreams with multiple stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; collaborative and professional approach.

Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of academic partnerships, acting as the University's primary contact for designated partner institutions.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, promoting collaborative ways of working.
• Support development, approval and implementation of new opportunities, including due diligence and onboarding activity.
• Monitor performance, identify risks and opportunities, and propose actions and recommendations.
• Ensure arrangements comply with regulatory, contractual and quality assurance requirements.
• Prepare reports, analyses and briefing papers to support governance processes and decision-making.
• Lead review meetings, ensuring actions are monitored and delivered.
• Contribute to process, system and policy improvements across the function.

Skills

Partnership management

Stakeholder relationships

Higher education governance

Analytical skills

Communication

Continuous improvement

Digital tools (AI)

Job description

Academic Partnerships Manager

Salary: £39,000 – £50,440 per annum

At BIMM University, we're more than just an educational institution; we're a vibrant community dedicated to nurturing creativity and empowering students to reach their full potential. With campuses across the UK, Ireland, and Germany, we offer a diverse range of courses in modern music, performing arts, filmmaking and creative technology. Our commitment to excellence in creative arts education sets us apart, providing students with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities they need to succeed in their chosen fields.

About the Role

As Academic Partnerships Manager, you will lead the operational management and ongoing development of BIMM University's portfolio of academic partnerships. Working closely with partner institutions and colleagues across the University, you will help ensure these arrangements deliver positive outcomes for students, operate effectively and remain compliant with regulatory and quality assurance requirements.

You will oversee activity throughout the full partnership lifecycle, from supporting the development of new opportunities through to relationship management, performance monitoring and governance.

What You’ll Do:

• Manage a portfolio of academic partnerships, acting as the University's primary point of contact for designated partner institutions.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, promoting collaborative and productive ways of working.
• Support the development, approval and implementation of new opportunities, including due diligence and onboarding activity.
• Monitor performance, identifying risks, issues and opportunities, and developing appropriate actions and recommendations.
• Ensure arrangements remain compliant with relevant regulatory, contractual and quality assurance requirements.
• Prepare reports, analyses and briefing papers to support governance processes and decision-making.
• Lead review meetings, ensuring actions are monitored and delivered.
• Contribute to the enhancement of processes, systems and policies, supporting continuous improvement across the function.

What You’ll Bring:

• Experience managing collaborative provision, academic partnerships or complex external stakeholder relationships within a higher education environment.
• A strong understanding of higher education quality assurance, governance and regulatory frameworks.
• Experience building effective relationships and working with a wide range of stakeholders to achieve shared objectives.
• The ability to evaluate performance, identify risks and opportunities, and make informed recommendations.
• Experience managing complex projects, workstreams or operational activity involving multiple stakeholders.
• Strong analytical, organisational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities effectively.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a collaborative and professional approach.
• A commitment to delivering an inclusive, accessible and high-quality service.
• An interest in continuous improvement and the effective use of digital tools, including AI, to support ways of working.

Location

The postholder can be based at any of BIMM University’s nine campuses (Brighton, London, Essex, Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Berlin or Dublin).

Candidates may come from a range of Academic Services backgrounds. Experience of quality assurance, assessment, governance, partnerships or related functions would be valuable, with particular interest in candidates who have experience of quality assurance, collaborative provision or working with external partners.

Why BIMM University

We are a values-led organisation, meaning our core values underpin all that we do:

Believe in Everyone, Challenge the Norm, Grow Together, Do The Right Thing, Own It.

In addition to joining a committed and dedicated team, you will have access to:

• 25 days holiday per year (FTE)
• SMART pension
• A comprehensive benefits package

We continually strive to create a culture of inclusivity so that we truly represent our diverse communities. We particularly welcome applications from people of colour who are underrepresented in our organisation.

We are committed to promoting the safety and welfare of our students therefore, all successful applicants are required to complete a basic DBS disclosure. Depending on the role, you may be required to complete an enhanced check / enhanced check with barred list if required by statute and internal policy.