National Partnerships Manager

MTC - Manufacturing Technology Centre; Coventry; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

MTC Training is seeking a driven National Partnerships Manager to lead the development of a UK-wide partnership strategy, securing funding and creating training opportunities. You will engage with government bodies, employers and skills partners to drive growth and impact across the sector.

You will identify funding opportunities, shape programmes aligned to regional priorities, and work with curriculum and delivery teams to develop compelling training propositions.

Qualifications

• Proven experience developing strategic partnerships with employers, government bodies, funding organisations or skills providers.
• Strong track record of identifying, shaping and securing funded or commercial opportunities.
• Experience operating at a strategic level and influencing key decision-makers.
• Experience within skills, apprenticeships, employability, education or workforce development.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver the national partnership strategy for MTC Training.
• Build and maintain relationships with DWP, devolved authorities and employer networks.
• Identify and secure funding opportunities and develop programmes that support employment and training.
• Create commercially viable, full-cost training offers that meet employer needs and support growth.
• Represent MTC Training at national events and provide strategic insights to senior leaders.

Skills

Strategic partnership development

Stakeholder management

Negotiation skills

Communication

Driving licence

Job description

The Vacancy

We are seeking an ambitious and commercially focused National Partnerships Manager to lead the development of strategic partnerships that create new training opportunities, secure funding streams and support workforce development across the UK. This is a highly influential role with the opportunity to work with government bodies, employers, devolved authorities and strategic skills partners to drive meaningful impact.

About The Role

As National Partnerships Manager, you will lead MTC Training's national partnership strategy, building and strengthening relationships that generate funded, commercial and strategic growth opportunities. You will be responsible for identifying and securing new funding, developing programmes that support young people into employment and training, and growing commercial training solutions that meet employer workforce needs.

This role offers the chance to work at the intersection of skills, employment, policy and industry, helping to shape training provision that responds directly to regional and national priorities.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Partnership Development

• Develop and deliver MTC Training's national partnership strategy.
• Build and maintain senior relationships with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), devolved authorities, government departments, skills bodies and employer networks.
• Position MTC Training as a trusted delivery partner across advanced manufacturing, nuclear and technical skills sectors.

Funding & Programme Development

• Identify and secure funding opportunities that support people into employment, apprenticeships and technical education.
• Develop innovative programmes aligned to regional and national skills priorities.
• Use labour market intelligence, employer demand and government policy to shape proposals and growth opportunities.

Commercial Growth

• Engage employers to understand workforce challenges and develop bespoke training solutions.
• Create commercially viable, full-cost training offers that deliver value to employers and sustainable growth for MTC Training.
• Work collaboratively with curriculum, quality and delivery teams to develop high-quality propositions.

Policy & External Representation

• Monitor developments across education, skills, employability and funding policy.
• Represent MTC Training at national and regional events, forums and stakeholder groups.
• Provide strategic insight and recommendations to senior leaders.

About You

We're looking for a relationship-builder who can confidently influence senior stakeholders and turn opportunities into successful outcomes.

Essential Requirements

• Proven experience developing strategic partnerships with employers, government bodies, funding organisations or skills providers.
• Strong track record of identifying, shaping and securing funded or commercial opportunities.
• Experience operating at a strategic level and influencing key decision-makers.
• Experience within skills, apprenticeships, employability, education or workforce development.
• Commercial awareness and experience developing employer-focused training solutions.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and negotiation skills.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel nationally.

Desirable

• Knowledge of advanced manufacturing, engineering, nuclear or technical education sectors.
• Experience working with DWP, combined authorities or government-funded programmes.
• Experience developing programmes supporting young people and priority labour market groups.

About The MTC

The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) is an internationally renowned and respected research and development organisation, bridging the gap between academia and manufacturing, and is home to some of the brightest minds in engineering from around the globe.

The MTC's engineers, scientists and technicians work with some of the most advanced manufacturing equipment in the world in a supportive and collegiate environment for the development and demonstration of new technologies on an industrial scale, helping manufacturers of all sizes develop new and innovative processes and technologies.

Established to prove cutting edge manufacturing advances in an agile environment in partnership with industry, academia and other institutions, the MTC works with hundreds of industrial clients across a range of sectors including automotive, aerospace, rail, informatics, food and drink, infrastructure, construction and civil engineering, electronics, oil and gas and defence. The MTC helps businesses thrive by advancing their technological and engineering capabilities to improve their business efficiency, capability and competitiveness.

Supported by one of the largest public sector investments in UK Manufacturing, the MTC's engineering capabilities cover research and development, advanced manufacturing management, factory design and training for the skills of the future.

The MTC has world-class facilities in Coventry, Liverpool and Oxford, and is part of the UK's High Value Manufacturing Catapult, supported by Innovate UK.

Reference Checks and Security Checks (where applicable)

Due to the nature of our business, all employment is subject to satisfactory references being obtained alongside a level of security clearance checks.