Head of Pathway Partnerships (Part Time)

University-of-Nottingham; Nottingham; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 58,000; Part time

Job summary

University of Nottingham is seeking an experienced Head of Pathway Partnerships on a 0.4 FTE basis to lead pathway development and sponsor relations at a time of international growth. The role sits in the Student Recruitment Central Dept at Jubilee Campus, Nottingham, with a pro-rata salary and flexible working arrangements.

You will oversee strategy, provider relationships and international sponsor engagement, working across academic and professional services to deliver sustainable growth.

Qualifications

• Experience in international student recruitment, partnership development or account management within UK Higher Education.
• Excellent communication, influencing and relationship-building skills.
• Strong knowledge of international education systems and the international student recruitment environment.
• Experience of managing people, analysing data and making evidence-based decisions.
• Experience of commercial negotiation, sponsor engagement, pathway partnerships and established sector networks would be highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of the University’s pathway partnership and sponsor relations strategy.
• Provide strategic oversight of recruitment performance, market intelligence, data and trends, identifying opportunities for growth.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with pathway providers, sponsors, Academic Schools and external stakeholders.
• Act as the University’s key relationship lead for pathway provider activity, facilitating effective collaboration across the institution.
• Lead and develop the University’s international sponsor engagement approach.
• Manage and support relevant staff, providing clear direction, development and leadership.
• Represent the University at internal and external events and deputise for senior colleagues when required.

Skills

International student recruitment

Partnership development

Account management

Stakeholder management

Data analysis

Strategic planning

Communication skills

Negotiation

Job description

Head of Pathway Partnerships (Part Time)

Area
Student Recruitment Central Dept

Location
Jubilee Campus

Salary
£46,049 to £58,225per annum pro-rata depending on skills and experience

Closing Date
Monday 05 October 2026

Reference
REG2042626

The University of Nottingham is seeking an experienced and ambitious Head of Pathway Partnerships to jointly lead our strategic approach to pathway development and sponsor relations at an exciting time of international growth.

This is an opportunity to make a significant institutional impact in a flexible 0.4 FTE role, within the Student Recruitment Team. You will play a key role in developing our pathway strategy, strengthening existing partnerships and identifying new opportunities that support the University’s international recruitment ambitions. This is a 0.4 FTE opportunity forming part of a 1.0 FTE Head of Pathway Partnerships role. The successful candidate will work collaboratively alongside the existing postholder, who works 0.6 FTE, sharing responsibility for the strategic leadership and delivery of the University’s pathway partnerships and sponsor relations.

You will provide leadership for important relationships, including the University’s strategic partnership with Kaplan (University of Nottingham International College) as well as our international sponsor and Cultural Attaché network. Acting as a trusted relationship manager and internal champion, you will work across academic and professional services teams to ensure partnerships deliver effectively and create opportunities for sustainable growth.

The role

You will:

• Lead the development and implementation of the University’s pathway partnership and sponsor relations strategy.
• Provide strategic oversight of recruitment performance, market intelligence, data and trends, identifying opportunities for growth.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with pathway providers, sponsors, Academic Schools and external stakeholders.
• Act as the University’s key relationship lead for pathway provider activity, facilitating effective collaboration across the institution.
• Lead and develop the University’s international sponsor engagement approach.
• Manage and support relevant staff, providing clear direction, development and leadership.
• Represent the University at internal and external events and deputise for senior colleagues when required.

The Candidate

We are looking for a confident, strategic and collaborative professional with experience in international student recruitment, partnership development or account management within UK Higher Education.

You will have excellent communication, influencing and relationship-building skills, with the ability to operate confidently with senior internal and external stakeholders. You will bring strong knowledge of international education systems and the international student recruitment environment, alongside experience of managing people, analysing data and making evidence-based decisions.

Experience of commercial negotiation, sponsor engagement, pathway partnerships and established sector networks would be highly desirable.

Further information is available in the role profile.

This is a permanent role. Your working hours will be 14.5 hours per week. Ideally, your working days will be Wednesdays and Fridays.

It is a condition of this post that satisfactory enhanced disclosure is obtained from the 'Disclosure and Barring Service'.

Our university is a supportive, inclusive, caring and positive community. We welcome those of different cultures, ethnicities and beliefs – indeed this very diversity is vital to our success, it is fundamental to our values and enriches life on campus. Visit our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion website.

To help you succeed, we published Candidate Guidance to provide support on the application and interview process.

We welcome applications from UK, Europe and worldwide and aim to make your move to the UK as smooth as possible. Visit the Moving to Nottingham page for details.

Your application will be considered on an equal basis, subject to the relevant permission to work in the UK as set out by UK Visas & Immigration .