Lifelong Learning & Partnerships Strategist

Heriot-Watt University; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Scotland seeks a Lifelong Learning & Partnerships Strategist to drive B2B sales of online programs. This role involves building strategic partnerships, leading a dynamic team, and setting the vision for commercial activities. The ideal candidate will possess strong knowledge of the online education market and significant relationship management experience. This full-time position is set to contribute to the ambitious growth strategy until July 2026.

Qualifications

• Proven experience of dealing with and leading in uncertainty and ambiguity.
• Significant account or relationship management experience.
• Ability to form long-term strategic business relationships.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for growing B2B sales of HW Online programmes.
• Build a pipeline and negotiate new anchor commercial partnerships.
• Lead the partnerships team and set targets aligned to the overall strategy.

Skills

Excellent knowledge of online education market

Strong analytical skills

Excellent written/verbal communication

Commercial acumen

Project management skills

Education

Educated to first degree level or equivalent

Tools

CRM systems

Job description

Description

Role: Lifelong Learning & Partnerships Strategist

Salary: Grade

Contract Type: Full Time (1 FTE) Fixed Term (Until July 2026)

Organisation Name: Heriot-Watt Online

About our Directorate and Team

Heriot-Watt University has a proud 25-year legacy of delivering world-class online and distance learning. Today over 6500 students from 160 countries study with us online or as a graduate apprentice – making up more than 25% of our total student body.

We are now entering an ambitious phase of investment and growth for Heriot-Watt Online with a bold 10-year strategy to expand our reach and a world where the nature of work is evolving rapidly we are committed to delivering flexible accessible and career-focused education at scale – empowering individuals and organisations to thrive in times of transformation.

Purpose of Role

The Lifelong Learning & Partnerships Strategist is responsible for growing B2B sales of HW Online programmes. They will set the vision and strategy and drive execution for HW Onlines commercial partnership activity defining our propositions and go-to-market strategy in order to deliver on ambitious fee income and reputation targets.

The postholder will be responsible for building a pipeline and negotiating new anchor commercial partnerships with a strong focus on employers. They will also lead a team responsible for inbound and outbound prospecting and business development in the UK and wider markets.

All our programmes operate in increasingly competitive markets. The postholder provides strategic insight and thought leadership for the development of HW Onlines commercial partnerships strategy playing a key role in driving innovation and ensuring our offer evolves to meet the changing needs and expectations of students and employers across the globe.

Strategic Leadership and Management

• Accountable for the strategic planning of HW Onlines commercial partnership strategy leading the development of a go-to-market strategy and business plan for B2B and enterprise channels.
• Develop strategic propositions which will enable HW Online to grow enrolments for degrees and courses through relationships with employers membership bodies and other potential strategic partners (including upskill and reskill tuition as a benefit etc).
• Improve the quality and differentiation of HW Online programmes by identifying opportunities for employers to support HW Online including advising on industry need curriculum design contributing content / authentic business projects or careers opportunities.
• Lead line manage motivate and coach the HW Online partnerships team creating a culture and working environment to drive growth and facilitate high performance.
• Prioritise markets / sectors to grow B2B sales of HW Online programmes and the development of a target list of potential cliets. Oversee the inbound and outbound prospecting and interaction with potential partners with the goal of generating high quality sales leads.
• Set targets objectives and KPIs for Partnerships team activity aligned to the overall HW Online strategy and communicate these to relevant stakeholders.
• Analyse pipeline data to provide accurate monthly / quarterly / annual forecasts.
• Proactively monitor competitor activity and market trends and make recommendations to inform strategy and gain competitive advantage and increase market share accordingly.
• Raise awareness of HW Onlines name expertise experience and capabilities in key industry forums and trade media in the UK and identified target global markets.

Employer & Strategic Partnerships

• Identify and qualify potential lead / anchor partners and develop / implement cultivation plans to ensure the most effective approaches are made to secure partnerships.
• Lead highly impactful sales conversations with the ability to persuade and close new business and establish a strong relationship to drive repeat business.
• Negotiate partnership terms including agreeing ambition and support to be provided by HWU securing internal support for this where necessary.

Stakeholder Management and Other Responsibilities

• Build close working relationships with relevant academics to facilitate the development of effective partnerships.
• Where appropriate involve University leadership and academics in partnership activity ensuring they are well briefed and supported.
• Work with the HW Online Marketing team to oversee a programme of capacity building support and materials for Employer Partners based around the world to ensure effectiveness and consistency in the delivery of marketing activity.
• Collaborate with the wider HWU community (Graduate Apprenticeships Business and Enterprise Alumni Executive Education Research Engagement Careers etc) to identify opportunities for joint working and to ensure HWU maximises the potential for every relationship.
• Share knowledge to raise the profile and reputation of HW Online internally and externally.
• Protect HWUs external reputation and brand by working with colleagues to ensure appropriate due diligence is undertaken on potential partners.
• Deputise for the CEO of HW Online as required.

Education Qualifications & Experience

Essential

• Excellent knowledge of the online education market and passion for education
• Track record of achieving results in a high growth environment with a commercial focus
• Significant account or relationship management experience
• Ability to form long-term strategic business relationships and comfort engaging with senior executives
• Strong networker
• Ability to think strategically and tactically and operate in a complex global environment
• Educated to first degree level or equivalent or equivalent practical experience in the workplace
• Demonstrable experience of managing a team
• Demonstrable experience of managing resources workloads and changing priorities for self and others
• Demonstrable experience of leading and managing change
• Entrepreneurial drive and comfort working autonomously and as part of a team in ambiguous quickly-changing environments
• Proven experience of dealing with and leading in uncertainty and ambiguity
• Excellent written / verbal communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent influencing skills
• Good track record of developing and maintaining positive working relationships with internal and external customers peers stakeholders and others
• Strong analytical skills and creative problem solving abilities
• Commercial acumen with strong understanding of financial information and a track record of delivering to financial plans and KPIs
• Flexible and resilient
• Collaborative and proactive
• Familiar with using CRM systems
• Project management skills including resource management and budgeting.

How to Apply

Please submit via the Heriot-Watt online recruitment system (1) Cover letter describing your interest and suitability for the post; (2) Full CV.

Applications must be submitted by midnight on Wednesday 19th November 2025.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.

Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our university community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information please see our website also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part-time working and job share options.