Partnerships Business Development Manager (HEI)

At FutureLearn, we’re passionate about the power of lifelong learning. We help learners from all over the world progress in their careers – and invest in their futures.

We truly believe that up-skilling is a worthy investment, and we hope to empower our learners to take control of their careers through personalised learning pathways – giving them progress at their fingertips.

Partnering with 260+ world-class educational partners, including prestigious universities, global brands and industry partners, we offer our 20 million-strong learner community the opportunity to discover and access flexible, high-quality online courses and degrees.

We’re not here just to teach new skills (although we do that well), we want to help transform lives. FutureLearn is looking to build our teams with people who share our passion for lifelong learning, career empowerment and education for all. If that sounds like you, get in touch. You could help us achieve our biggest goal yet – becoming the world’s best AI-powered, career-based learning platform and OPM.

What’s the opportunity?

The purpose of this role is to identify and recruit new Partners for FutureLearn, (predominantly in the UK and Ireland space).  You will also deliver commercially successful programmes, such as certifications, bootcamps, degrees and short courses to the platform for use by Consumers and Enterprises. 

The core aim of the role is to ensure FutureLearn is the preferred partner in helping each partner organisation promote their brand and deliver to global audiences (75% of our business is conducted internationally), in a manner supportive of the wider digital transformation, in a commercially sustainable way. 

You will be a critical member of our HEI Partnerships team, with working knowledge of digital trends and developments in the sector, and reporting to the Director of Partnerships, HEI. You will work to promote and deliver Short Courses, Microcredentials, Degrees and other qualifications, either blended or fully online. You will collaborate with internal teams to facilitate the delivery of a full suite of products (from short courses to degrees - both on and off platform) and additionally available services for partners. You will also provide support to the wider activities of the Partnerships team and, depending on experience, may take on responsibility for growing pathways across one of our core areas.

What does success look like?

• Identify and recruit new Partnerships to the platform, achieving company financial targets
• Develop a business plan targeting specific high value partners; providing focused goals based on overall strategic drivers, ROI and value matching
• Understand the strategy and priorities of partners and facilitate the handover of the partners to Partnership managers to build strong relationships with stakeholders
• Understand the target audience for the Partners’ offering and develop strategies to recruit partners against various tiers and fee structures
• Understand the potential of the FutureLearn solution and ensure that partners are aware of, and able to draw upon, the full range of services available
• Develop, present and discuss rich data and analysis to help identify programmes with high commercial potential for the Partner and FutureLearn
• Plan and Prioritise to ensure that you are delivering on quarterly targets for Partner Memberships Fees, content proposals, and Direct Revenue opportunities, including FutureLearn OPM leads
• Keep abreast of developments in the Higher Ed and / or Industry sectors in the global and UK region and becoming a trusted advisor to our partners
• Work efficiently across a number of Departments in FutureLearn to ensure proper Sales Management and Success

What you will bring to the table:

• A passion for education and online learning
• An ability to sell software as a service, preferably in either the Tech or Education Sector
• 5 - 8 years of experience in building strong partnerships (account management / business development), preferably with universities, or equivalent organisations
• Experience of identifying, managing  and negotiating commercial transactions such as contracts, service agreements and KPIs
• The ability to discuss market insight with partners to support choices around course creation and promotion, drawing upon insight and expertise within FutureLearn
• The ability to collaborate across a multi-disciplinary team, flexibility towards changes and specific direction, whilst maintaining a positive attitude
• Self-motivation, organisational skills and the ability to work under pressure to deliver against performance targets
• Excellent time management and ability to work both in the office and remotely
• Experience of using CRM systems to manage and report on sales opportunities and deals
• Experience of presenting to groups to deliver key messages and handling senior academic stakeholder questions effectively
• Any experience with Teaching and Education is an advantage
• Any experience of university VLE/LMS systems, student registration and assessment processes to engage in early discussions on using FutureLearn for academic programmes is desirable

What we offer you:

• 28 days of Annual Leave plus UK Public Holidays
• Roll over up to 5 days Holiday
• Access to FutureLearn courses
• Westfield Health Cash Plan
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Season Ticket Loan
• Charity work – 1 day dedicated to a charity of your choice
• Calm Premium Subscription

What happens next?

Ready to go for it? Click 'Apply', include your CV and tell us why you'd like to become a FutureLearner, and how you’ll nail this role.

Recruitment Process

Please contact [email protected] if you require any reasonable adjustments or alterations to be made to support you through the recruitment process.

Diversity Statement

We value all the great benefits that diversity brings and encourage everyone to bring their whole self to work – At FutureLearn we are proud to have Diversity and Inclusion at the centre of everything we do. We are committed to Equal Employment Opportunity regardless of race, colour, national origin, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or religion.

We can't wait to meet you! #FutureLearnCareers