Strategic Partnerships and Business Development Manager

About Hamilton Brookes

Hamilton Brookes, an integral part of Oxford Brookes University, is a leading educational publisher dedicated to providing high-quality resources for primary schools. Our work directly supports the university's strategic goals of national impact and external engagement. By focusing on creating valuable teaching resources and building strong external partnerships, we empower educators and contribute to improved learning outcomes for children across the country.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a passionate and highly capable Strategic Partnerships & Operations Manager to drive our business forward. This is a pivotal leadership role responsible for the long-term financial stability and operational excellence of Hamilton Brookes. You will be at the forefront of securing and managing significant new projects, transforming early-stage opportunities into confirmed, long-term funding.

This is a fixed term post to April 2027 and is available as a full time or 0.8 FTE appointment.

Based at our Headington campus, with flexible and remote working options, you’ll experience the vibrant campus atmosphere and benefit from our modern office environment. The campus is one mile from the centre of Oxford and is served by regular public transport.

Key responsibilities

• Partnership Strategy & Development: Lead the identification, negotiation, and conversion of new strategic partnerships, including major intergovernmental and national projects.
• Operational Leadership: Oversee all core business operations, including finance, budgeting, and compliance (e.g., GDPR), ensuring smooth and efficient delivery.
• Contract Management: Manage and deliver against existing high-value contracts, such as the NI/Amira partnership, and secure their future extension.
• Supplier and Stakeholder Relations: Build and maintain strong relationships with key partners, suppliers, and internal university stakeholders to safeguard our reputation and ensure project success.

What we're looking for

We are seeking a strategic thinker with a proven track record in securing and managing large-scale, funded projects. You will be a skilled negotiator with exceptional business acumen and a strong understanding of operational and financial management.

• Demonstrable experience in developing and securing significant commercial or funded partnerships.
• Strong financial management and budgeting skills.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects and deliver results.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to engage with senior officials and diverse stakeholders.
• A proactive, solutions-oriented approach to operational challenges.

For more information please see the attached job description and person specification.

Why Join Us?

This role offers a unique opportunity to directly shape the future of a vital educational resource and contribute to the university’s mission. You will be part of a small, agile, and supportive team where your work will have a direct and measurable impact on the lives of teachers and children across the country.

As an Oxford Brookes employee, you will enjoy a total of a minimum of 25 days holiday, rising with your service, plus 8 Bank Holidays and additional University concessionary Days (approx 5 per year).

We encourage and support hybrid working where the role allows and ensure that you have the necessary equipment to allow you to work flexibly.

We have an extremely competitive Local Government pension scheme  with a 19.2% Employer contribution rate, as well as providing all staff with financial education, a comprehensive employee assistance helpline.

We prioritise the well-being of our employees—both physically and mentally, as well as financially. That's why we provide a diverse and comprehensive benefits package to support our team.

Advert information