Head of Pathway Partnerships (Part Time)

University of Nottingham School of Humanities; Campus (IL); On-site; USD 62,000 - 78,000; Part time

Job summary

The University of Nottingham invites applications for a Head of Pathway Partnerships (0.4 FTE) to jointly lead our pathway development and sponsor relations as part of the Student Recruitment Team. The role collaborates across teams to deliver sustainable growth and manages key relationships, including Kaplan and international sponsors.

This permanent post requires strategic leadership, strong stakeholder engagement and the ability to work closely with the existing postholder and team across

Qualifications

• Experience in international student recruitment, partnership development or account management within UK Higher Education.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of pathway partnerships and sponsor relations strategy.
• Provide strategic overview of recruitment performance, market intelligence, data and trends.
• Build and maintain relationships with pathway providers, sponsors and external stakeholders.
• Lead and develop the University's international sponsor engagement approach.
• Represent the University at internal and external events and deputise for senior colleagues when required.

Skills

International student recruitment

Partnership development

Account management

Stakeholder communication

Data analysis

Negotiation

Sponsor engagement

Pathway partnerships

UK higher education

Job description

Salary

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

Area

Student Recruitment Central Dept

Location

Jubilee Campus

Salary

£46,049 to £58,225 per 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 overview 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.

If you are passionate about international education and want to help shape partnerships that directly contribute to the University of Nottingham's future international growth, we would love to hear from you

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

Please contact Charlie Carter [e-mail] if you have further questions about this role.

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

Further Details

• Job Description/Role Profile

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.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) employer. Increasing the diversity of our community is extremely important to us and we are committed to the aims of Disability Confident Scheme.

We are the first university to have achieved Athena Swan Gold Award.

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Discover our benefits, visit Your Benefits website.

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.