Senior Manager - Strategic Partnerships

Twinkl Educational Publishing; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Competitive salary £45k–£50k

Campaigns with global brands

Job summary

Twinkl is seeking a Senior Manager – Strategic Partnerships in Sheffield. Hybrid/Remote UK role with a salary of £45k–£50k and a permanent contract.

You will manage top-tier partners and build multi-territory campaigns to drive education globally, collaborating across teams to convert opportunities into impactful outcomes. You will lead creative campaigns, craft compelling messages for executives and educators, and measure ROI to demonstrate outcomes while mentoring a cross-functional team in a

Qualifications

• Proven Experience: Track record managing a wide portfolio of external partners, with direct experience collaborating with tier-1 global brands (entertainment, media, or retail experience highly preferred).
• Creative Force: A huge creative mind with a portfolio of outside-the-box campaigns brought from initial napkin sketch to full-scale launch.
• Relentless Hustle: A track record of turning cold doors into major signed deals with grit and resilience.
• Master Storyteller: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; can engage both C-suite executives and teachers.
• Inspiring Leader: Ability to lead and motivate cross-functional teams beyond direct reports.
• Mission-Driven: Genuine passion for improving education for children worldwide.

Responsibilities

• Manage & Scale Tier-1 Partners: Oversee major strategic accounts including Disney and other global brands, delivering high-impact multi-territory campaigns.
• Turn Nos into Yeses: Pitch bold partnership proposals to senior decision-makers and overcome objections.
• Bring Crazy Ideas to Life: Design and activate unique co-branded initiatives that captivate educators and parents.
• Master the Message: Craft compelling pitches and campaign narratives with tone suitable for corporate and classroom audiences.
• Showcase Impact: Track, analyze, and present ROI data to leadership and partners.
• Inspire & Lead Beyond Your Line: Mentor team members and coordinate cross-functional teams to execute campaigns.

Skills

Partnership management

Business development

Stakeholder communication

Cross-functional leadership

Storytelling

Dealmaking

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

Senior Manager – Strategic Partnerships

Location: Sheffield, UK (Hybrid) or Remote (UK)

Salary: £45,000 – £50,000 per annum dependent on experience

Hours of Work: Full time, 37.5 hours per week

Contract: Permanent

Reports To: Head of Strategic Partnerships

Quick Question…
Do you want to make a real difference in the world? Do you have an incredible ability to communicate and build high-impact relationships? Do you want to collaborate with some of the largest brands and organisations globally to turn big ideas into action?

If you answered yes, then this is the role you’ve been looking for.

About Us

We are on a mission to make the world a better place by helping those who teach. As a global leader in educational resources, we support millions of educators, schools, and families every day. But we don't do it alone, we collaborate with world-class entertainment brands, major organisations, and key educational institutions to bring extraordinary value to classrooms worldwide.

We are looking for an ambitious, creative, and relentless Senior Strategic Partnerships Manager to join our team. If you are a natural communicator who loves bringing wild ideas to life, developing the best relationships with global titans and inspiring everyone around you to think bigger, this is your place to shine.

The Role

This isn't a standard corporate partnership manager position. We want a high-energy dealmaker and creative visionary who has a proven record of making things happen.

You will manage a rich portfolio of high-profile global partners (like Disney, major movie studios, and household retail brands) alongside high-value commercial suppliers. You’ll be tasked with dreaming up outside-the-box campaigns, turning "nos into yeses," and rolling up your sleeves to get campaigns over the line.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage & Scale Tier-1 Partners: Oversee a diverse portfolio of major strategic accounts, including leading global entertainment partners like Disney, delivering high-impact, multi-territory co-marketing campaigns.
• Turn "Nos into Yeses": Pitch bold, unconventional partnership proposals to senior decision-makers. You’re a natural problem-solver who thrives on overcoming objections and finding creative win-win solutions.
• Bring Crazy Ideas to Life: Brainstorm, design, and activate unique co-branded initiatives (from cinema activations and retail perks to exclusive learning hubs) that captivate educators and parents alike.
• Master the Message: Craft compelling pitches, copy, and campaign narratives. You have an exceptional grasp of tone and understand what resonates deeply with both corporate stakeholders both internally and externally.
• Showcase Impact: Track, analyze, and present clear ROI data. You will champion partnership successes internally to executive leadership and externally to global brand partners.
• Inspire & Lead Beyond Your Line: Serve as a natural leader within the business. You will mentor team members and motivate cross-functional teams (Design, Marketing, Product, Legal) to think bigger and execute seamlessly.
• Get Stuck In: Whether it’s negotiating high-stakes contracts, writing campaign briefs, or troubleshooting last-minute rollout details, you're always ready to dive in and execute.

About You

• Proven Experience: Track record managing a wide portfolio of external partners, with direct experience collaborating with tier-1 global brands (entertainment, media, or retail experience highly preferred).
• Creative Force: A huge creative mind with a portfolio of "outside-the-box" campaigns you’ve brought from initial napkin sketch to full-scale launch.
• Relentless Hustle: A track record of turning cold doors into major signed deals. You have grit, resilience, and a passion for overcoming commercial hurdles.
• Master Storyteller: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills. You know how to talk to C-suite executives one minute and write engaging copy for teachers the next.
• Inspiring Leader: A proven ability to lead and motivate people, not just direct reports, but cross-departmental teams who don’t report to you directly.
• Mission-Driven: A genuine passion for making a positive social impact and helping improve education for children worldwide.

What We Offer

• Salary: £45,000 – £50,000 depending on experience.
• Flexible Working: Hybrid working options with a supportive, collaborative team culture.
• Impact: The chance to work on campaigns seen and loved by millions of children, teachers, and parents around the globe.

How We’ll Look After You

• Enjoy 33 days of paid time off per year (pro-rata), plus watch your holiday bank grow the longer you stay with us.
• The Ultimate "Me" Day. An extra, fully paid day off dedicated entirely to you. Sleep in, binge a show, or hit the spa. No justification needed, just pure self-care.
• Want to change the world? We’ll foot the bill. Take a fully paid day every year to champion a cause close to your heart.
• Keep your money in your pocket as we give you access to a Westfield Health cash plan. Claim back cash on everyday healthcare like dentist visits, eye care, and physio.
• Big life moments deserve big support. We’ve got you covered with enhanced pay for maternity, paternity, and adoption leave.
• We’re investing in your tomorrow. Secure your future with our boosted pension contributions and total peace of mind through generous life insurance.
• Unleash a world of learning and fun! Get full, complimentary access to Twinkl for you and your family.

About Us

Who are we and what do we do?

At Twinkl, we believe every child deserves to feel loved, supported, and inspired to learn. Created by experienced educators for educators, our mission is simple: to help those who teach by transforming lives through education.

Trusted by teaching communities worldwide, Twinkl provides instant access to an award-winning library of over 1 million digital and printable resources. Supporting learners from birth through secondary education, our collection spans everything from daily lesson planning and assessments to leadership and wellbeing tools.

We evolve alongside the classroom, adding fresh content daily. And if you can't find exactly what you need? Just ask. Our world-class customer service team will create bespoke resources just for you, allowing you to focus on what matters most: inspiring your learners.

Whoever you are, whatever you teach, Twinkl is here for you!