About the job Accountable for delivering the partnership and referral strategy to generate high-quality learner referrals across all Employability contracts, ensuring recruitment targets and contractual performance are achieved. Responsible for ensuring all referrals are onboarded efficiently, meet funding eligibility requirements and are fully compliant with contractual and organisational policies. Work collaboratively with delivery, administration, compliance teams to provide a seamless learner journey, monitor referral conversion rates and produce accurate management information to support performance, continuous improvement and business growth.Main responsibilities
Ensure that referrals to the programmes are contractually compliant and eligible, working closely with the enrolment team. Monitor KPIs, referrals, starts, achievements and progression Complete detailed reports to stakeholders and referral partners as requested. Responsible for referral partner engagement and associated influence which supports contract performance and business development, attending networking meetings and representing LMP Education as required. Key stakeholders being internal and external referral sources including, Restart, Voluntary/Community organisations, JCP, supply chain, local authorities etc. Review success and progress of referral delivery and conversion to achievement, distance travelled and other outcomes, reporting information timely. Will need to attend meetings either Face to Face or via Teams/Zoom to represent LMP Education. Operational responsibilities Partnership Development:
Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with employers, Jobcentre Plus, Local Authorities, Combined Authorities, education providers, community organisations, housing associations and other key stakeholders to maximise learner referrals and employment opportunities across LMP Employability programmes. Establish and manage partnership agreements, service level agreements and collaborative working arrangements that support the successful delivery of funded employability programmes and achievement of contractual targets. Work collaboratively with delivery, compliance, administration to design and implement effective recruitment and engagement strategies that meet the needs of learners, employers and funding bodies while supporting contract performance and positive learner outcomes. Stakeholder Engagement:
Act as the primary point of contact for referral partners, employers, Local Authorities, Jobcentre Plus, community organisations and other key stakeholders across LMP Employability programmes. Build and maintain strong working relationships through regular communication, partnership meetings and collaborative planning to ensure shared objectives and successful contract delivery. Represent LMP at networking events, employer forums, careers fairs, commissioner meetings and stakeholder events to promote employability programmes, strengthen partnerships and generate new referral and employer engagement opportunities. Program Evaluation and Impact Assessment:
Develop and monitor performance measures to evaluate the effectiveness of referral partnerships, learner recruitment, employer engagement and overall contract performance across employability programmes. Collect, analyse and interpret referral, enrolment, achievement and progression data to identify trends, measure outcomes and drive continuous improvement. Produce accurate management reports, performance dashboards and presentations, providing insights and recommendations to internal management teams, commissioners and external stakeholders to support informed decision-making and contractual performance. Compliance and Risk Management:
Ensure all partnership activities, learner recruitment and onboarding processes comply with funding rules, contractual requirements, organisational policies and relevant legislation, including GDPR and safeguarding requirements. Identify and manage risks that could impact contract performance, learner recruitment, compliance, funding or stakeholder relationships, implementing appropriate actions to minimise operational, financial and reputational risks. Develop and maintain effective risk management and quality assurance processes to support the successful delivery, compliance and long-term sustainability of funded employability programme Operational responsibilities Partnership Development:
Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with employers, Jobcentre Plus, Local Authorities, Combined Authorities, education providers, community organisations, housing associations and other key stakeholders to maximise learner referrals and employment opportunities across LMP Employability programmes. Establish and manage partnership agreements, service level agreements and collaborative working arrangements that support the successful delivery of funded employability programmes and achievement of contractual targets. Work collaboratively with delivery, compliance, administration to design and implement effective recruitment and engagement strategies that meet the needs of learners, employers and funding bodies while supporting contract performance and positive learner outcomes. Stakeholder Engagement:
Act as the primary point of contact for referral partners, employers, Local Authorities, Jobcentre Plus, community organisations and other key stakeholders across LMP Employability programmes. Build and maintain strong working relationships through regular communication, partnership meetings and collaborative planning to ensure shared objectives and successful contract delivery. Represent LMP at networking events, employer forums, careers fairs, commissioner meetings and stakeholder events to promote employability programmes, strengthen partnerships and generate new referral and employer engagement opportunities. Program Evaluation and Impact Assessment:
Develop and monitor performance measures to evaluate the effectiveness of referral partnerships, learner recruitment, employer engagement and overall contract performance across employability programmes. Collect, analyse and interpret referral, enrolment, achievement and progression data to identify trends, measure outcomes and drive continuous improvement. Produce accurate management reports, performance dashboards and presentations, providing insights and recommendations to internal management teams, commissioners and external stakeholders to support informed decision-making and contractual performance. Compliance and Risk Management:
Ensure all partnership activities, learner recruitment and onboarding processes comply with funding rules, contractual requirements, organisational policies and relevant legislation, including GDPR and safeguarding requirements. Identify and manage risks that could impact contract performance, learner recruitment, compliance, funding or stakeholder relationships, implementing appropriate actions to minimise operational, financial and reputational risks. Develop and maintain effective risk management and quality assurance processes to support the successful delivery, compliance and long-term sustainability of funded employability programme. Budget management
The Partnership Manager will be expected to have an understanding of contract budgets, funding profiles and performance targets to support effective planning and delivery. Overall budget management remains the responsibility of the Associate Director – Employability. Revenue generation
Support the achievement of learner recruitment, contract performance and revenue targets by developing strong referral partnerships and employer relationships. The Partnership Manager will maintain an awareness of contract profiles and performance requirements, while overall responsibility for revenue generation remains with the Associate Director – Employability People Management
At present, you will not be managing, but this may change as per business requirements Change management/leading innovation
Work effectively with the Delivery Manager and delivery team to effectively transition learners into operational delivery including supporting the forecasting and awareness of anticipated delivery volumes and locations. Support with learner and stakeholder feedback; contributing to LMP Education’s cycle of quality improvement.
About you Person specification
Proven experience in budget management, partnership development, and stakeholder engagement, preferably in the education sector. Skills, knowledge and qualifications
Strong financial acumen and analytical skills, with the ability to interpret financial data and make data-driven decisions. Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain effective relationships with diverse stakeholders. Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities, with a demonstrated track record of driving results in a dynamic and fast-paced environment. Knowledge of alternative education models, trends, and best practices is desirable. Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team, with a commitment to fostering a culture of inclusivity and diversity. Must have a working knowledge of the AEB contract and full eligibility rules. Competencies and behaviours
Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of government-funded employability and skills programmes, including Adult Skills Fund (ASF), Skills Bootcamps and other contracts secured by LMP Ability to confidently deliver presentations and engage with a wide range of audiences, including employers, commissioners, referral partners and community organisations. Commitment to delivering outstanding customer service that results in high levels of learner, employer and stakeholder satisfaction. Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to develop effective partnerships both internally and externally Strong analytical skills with the ability to monitor referral pipelines, forecast learner recruitment and contribute to achieving contractual performance targets. Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to influence, motivate and engage colleagues, learners, employers and referral partners. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce high-quality reports, presentations and management information. Highly organised with the ability to effectively prioritise workload, manage multiple partnerships and work independently to meet deadlines. Proven track record of building successful stakeholder relationships and generating learner referrals that contribute to contract performance. Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office, CRM systems, learner management systems and data reporting tools. Experience of supporting learners with diverse needs and complex barriers to learning, employment and progression. Understanding of quality assurance processes, funding audits, Ofsted requirements and continuous quality improvement. Commitment to safeguarding, Prevent, equality, diversity and inclusion, and GDPR, ensuring these principles are embedded throughout all partnership activities
What we Offer Our Benefits
28 days holiday and get an extra day for each year you stay with us, up to max 33 days PLUS bank holidays Health Cash Plan, once you’ve passed probation, which includes access to a private GP From day 1, free life insurance covering up to x4 your salary We’ll both add money into your pension pot after 3 months Choose what flexible benefits you want after you’ve passed probation – this could be buying extra holiday, dental, topping up your healthcare plan, bikes, gym membership, electric cars and give as you earn Learning and development opportunities Volunteer days – 3 paid volunteer days a year, with 2 dedicated to Education
Confidentiality
Safeguarding, Prevent & Equal Opportunities
Pre-employment checks
The company also completes an internal online social media search, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance.
