Partnership Manager

The Role
Do you want to be part of a team shaping the future of education across Southwark?
Can you use your partnership leadership experience to improve outcomes for children and young people?
If yes, we have the perfect role for you

Southwark Council is seeking a dynamic and dedicated
Partnership Manager
to join our ambitious team on a 2-year fixed term contract (or secondment for internal staff) to establish and lead the
Southwark Learning Partnership
and help make a real difference for children, families, and schools across the borough.

About The Role
This is a unique opportunity to design and lead a new partnership from the ground up, delivering Southwark's 2030 Vision: "all children have a good start in life." Over two years, you will:

• Build trust and credibility with school leaders and stakeholders.
• Design and implement effective governance structures
• Drive collaboration across schools and the local authority for a cohesive education system.
• Monitor impact, manage budgets, prepare reports and ensure delivery of agreed priorities
• Identify and coordinate professional development, governance support and events.
• Work with other local partnerships (Safeguarding, SEND, Youth Justice, Schools Forum) to maximise impact.

This is a highly autonomous role requiring strategic thinking, strong influencing skills, and a solutions-focused approach.

About You
We are seeking an individual who shares Southwark Council's values and is driven by improving outcomes for children and young people. You will be:

• An experienced partnership, programme or service leader
• Confident working at senior strategic level with school leaders, boards, and senior officers
• A self-starter with high levels of initiative and resilience

Highly Skilled In

• Partnership development and stakeholder engagement
• Governance and accountability
• Programme and performance management
• Budget management and funding sustainability
• Commissioning and procurement
• Strategic communication and influencing

A strong relationship-builder with the credibility to gain the trust of education leaders

About The Team
This is a newly created partnership, and you will be the first key appointment, giving you a rare chance to shape its culture, direction, and long-term success.

You'll be part of a collaborative, values-driven organisation that is ambitious for its children and proud of its diverse communities.

We Offer

• A supportive senior leadership environment
• Strong opportunities for professional growth and influence
• The chance to deliver real, lasting system change

For detailed qualifications and requirements, please review the job description and person specification located at the bottom of the advert.

To Be Considered For Interview
Your Supporting Statement must clearly outline how you meet the job description and person specification in order to be considered.

Contact Information
For an informal discussion about the role, contact Nikki Tilson via email at

Additional Information

• Salary: Grade 12, £54,360 - £61,686 per annum
• Working Hours: 36 per week, Monday – Friday
• Contract: 2-year fixed term contract or secondment opportunity
• Location: 160 Tooley St, London SE1 2QH
• DBS: Basic level required

Benefits And More Information

Recruitment timetable

• Advert close date: 11:59pm on Sunday 4 th January 2026
• Shortlisting date/s: week commencing 5 th January 2026
• Interview date/s: 9 th January 2026

The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. We strongly advise you to complete your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Guaranteed Interview Scheme
As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Are currently in care, or have previously been in care
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition

We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our
Southwark Stands Together programme
. We particularly welcome applications from members of the Black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.

Attachments

• Job Description & Person Specification - Partnership Manager