Partnerships and Referrals Manager

Northridge Care Group; Preston; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An organization focused on children's care is seeking a Partnership & Referrals Manager to lead strategic partnerships and referrals. This role involves building relationships with Local Authority teams, generating enquiries, and ensuring effective placements. The ideal candidate has proven experience in business development and a commitment to improving outcomes for children. Join a values-driven organization where you can shape new education provisions and make a significant difference.

Benefits

Real influence and autonomy

Opportunity to shape new education provision

Values-driven organization

Chance to make a lasting difference

Qualifications

• Proven experience in referrals, commissioning, partnerships, or business development.
• Experience in children's residential care or education services.
• Understand how Local Authorities work and how placements are commissioned.

Responsibilities

• Strategic lead for referrals and partnerships across the organization.
• Build relationships with Local Authority SEN, Commissioning and Placement Teams.
• Generate new enquiries, manage referrals, and ensure effective placements.
• Represent the organization at networking events and conferences.
• Use market intelligence to drive growth and influence strategy.
• Work with senior leaders to negotiate placements and fees.
• Lead and develop the referrals function with high-quality processes.

Skills

Relationship-building

Confidence in engaging stakeholders

Strong networking skills

Influencing and public-speaking

Commercial mindset

Job description

Northridge Care Group provides high-quality, trauma-informed care and support for children and young people with complex needs. Through our residential homes and expanding education provision, we work in close partnership with Local Authorities to deliver safe, nurturing and outcome-focused placements that put children at the heart of everything we do. As our organisation grows, we remain committed to creating stable, supportive environments where children and young people can thrive and reach their full potential.

Northridge Care Group is entering an exciting phase of growth and we’re looking for an ambitious Partnership & Referrals Manager to help lead it. This is a high-impact, outward facing role for someone who thrives on relationships, opportunity spotting and making things happen. Initially focused on our established residential services, the role will play a key part in launching and filling new education provision as we open schools over the next 12 months.

What you’ll do

• Be the strategic lead for referrals and partnerships across Northridge Care Group
• Build strong, trusted relationships with Local Authority SEN, Commissioning and Placement Teams across the UK
• Proactively generate new enquiries, manage referrals and ensure placements are matched effectively
• Represent Northridge at networking events, meetings, open days and conferences
• Use market intelligence, data and insight to drive growth, influence strategy and keep us ahead
• Work closely with senior leaders to negotiate placements, fees and bespoke support packages
• Lead and develop the referrals function, ensuring high quality, compliant and responsive processes

Who we’re looking for

You’ll be a confident relationship-builder with experience in children’s residential care, education or related services, who understands how Local Authorities work and how placements are commissioned.

You’ll bring:

• Proven experience in referrals, commissioning, partnerships or business development
• Confidence, credibility and presence when engaging senior stakeholders
• Strong networking, influencing and public-speaking skills
• A proactive, commercial mindset with a genuine commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people
• The ability to work strategically while staying hands-on and delivery-focused

Why join Northridge?

• A senior, visible role with real influence and autonomy
• The opportunity to shape new education provision from the ground up
• A values-driven organisation where relationships and quality truly matter
• A chance to make a lasting difference while building something meaningful

If you’re ready to champion our services, grow our partnerships and help shape the future of Northridge Care Group, we’d love to hear from you.