ICS Learn
Head of Partnerships
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About ICS Learn
As part of the ICS Learn Group, we are proud to be a leading provider of distance learning and an approved centre for many industry-recognised qualifications, including CIPD, AAT, ILM, and CMI. For over 130 years, ICS Learn has been supporting learners to advance their careers and achieve professional success.
Through our unique learning methodology, we make education flexible, accessible, and effective empowering people to study around their work and life commitments. Our agile, customer-centric culture ensures every learner benefits from a truly best-in-class experience, with the support and resources they need to reach their goals.
Role Purpose
The Head of Partnerships is responsible for developing and growing strategic commercial partnerships that generate recurring revenue and expand routes to market for ICS products and services. The role focuses on creating high-value relationships with organisations that can recommend, resell, embed, or deliver ICS solutions, driving sustainable growth and market influence.
Key Responsibilities
Partnership Development
- Develop and execute the partnership strategy.
- Build relationships with training providers, apprenticeship providers, HR consultancies, recruitment firms, learning and development specialists, membership organisations, and employer networks.
- Create a sustainable partner ecosystem that generates recurring revenue.
Strategic Relationship Management
- Establish and maintain executive-level stakeholder relationships.
- Secure preferred supplier status, framework agreements, and approved supplier listings.
- Develop account plans, governance structures, and Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) for strategic partners.
Commercial Growth
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- Design and negotiate commercial partnership models, referral agreements, and strategic alliances.
- Generate partner-led revenue opportunities and drive partner activation.
- Develop compelling business cases, proposals, and partnership agreements.
Market Development
- Identify and prioritise new partnership opportunities and routes to market.
- Monitor industry trends and competitor activity.
- Represent ICS at industry events, conferences, and networking forums.
Pipeline & CRM Management
- Maintain accurate partnership pipelines, forecasts, stakeholder maps, and engagement plans within CRM systems.
- Ensure all opportunities are effectively managed through the partnership lifecycle.
Key Accountabilities
- Secure and grow strategic partnership agreements.
- Deliver recurring partner-generated revenue.
- Increase market reach and influence through partner networks.
- Build strong relationships with senior decision-makers across partner organisations.
Experience & Skills
Essential
- Proven success in partnership development, business development, strategic account management, or channel sales.
- Track record of delivering revenue growth through partnerships and indirect sales channels.
- Strong commercial negotiation, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience managing complex sales and decision-making processes.
Desirable
- Experience within training, education, apprenticeships, workforce development, HR services, learning solutions, or recruitment sectors.
- Knowledge of procurement frameworks, supplier accreditation, and partnership programmes.
Key Competencies
- Strategic business development
- Commercial negotiation and influencing
- Executive stakeholder management
- Partnership and channel growth
- Commercial planning and forecasting
- Market analysis and opportunity identification
- Proposal development and business case creation
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Success Measures
Success will be measured by:
- Growth in recurring partner-generated revenue.
- Number and quality of strategic partnerships secured.
- Preferred supplier and framework agreement wins.
- Partner engagement, activation, and retention.
- Expansion of market reach and influence through partner channels.
- Delivery of sustainable long-term commercial growth.
Guiding Principle
Build a high-performing partnership ecosystem that positions ICS as a preferred provider of workforce development and learning solutions, delivering sustainable revenue growth and long-term strategic value.
What you’ll get
- Holidays – 25 days plus bank public holidays.
- Cycle2Work scheme
- Statutory pension and life assurance.
- An additional day’s leave for your birthday
- Holiday Purchase scheme
- A hybrid working environment.
- Various opportunities to gain an immersive experience into the broad range of ICS products and proposition.
- Curated personal development and learning tools.
And…
At ICS Learn, we’re proud to offer a culture built by smart, passionate people and guided by our values. You’ll be at the forefront of helping a diverse range of professionals achieve their career goals, while enjoying a hybrid working environment, strong personal development opportunities, and a range of perks.
Most importantly, we’re an inclusive organisation where everyone, regardless of background or experience, can do their best work. Diversity of thought drives our success and helps us deliver the very best for our students.
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