Senior conference and training events manager jobs in Stevenage, hertfordshire
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Job Description
The Head of Delivery & Partnerships is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing the
successful implementation, quality of outcomes, and retention of DFN Project SEARCH programmes
across the UK, the Republic of Ireland and Iberia, in line with our franchise agreement from Project
SEARCH . This role leads the Delivery & Partnerships team, ensuring strategic alignment, excellence
of delivery, and sustained impactful partnerships.
You will play a pivotal role in driving programme quality, ensuring retention, maintaining model
fidelity, and ensuring high-quality outcomes for interns. Additionally, you will oversee the growth of
our number of programmes, in line with our strategic regional and national plans. You will also
contribute to the strategic direction of the organisation, working closely with cross-functional teams
to maximise DFN Project SEARCH’s impact.
Regular travel throughout the UK will be required, with occasional travel to other areas of our delivery.
In addition, occasional international travel may be required, for example to the annual conference in
the United States.
Essential Experience and Skills
• A passion for changing the lives of young people with learning disabilities and / or who are
autistic
• Educated to degree level or relevant Professional Qualification
• Highly motivated and organised self-starters with the ability to work under your own initiative
• Strong understanding of supported employment, education, and local authority partnerships.
• Experience in project management, partnership development, and stakeholder engagement.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and negotiation skills.
• Experience using data systems and performance management tools.
• Experience delivering training and speaking at events or conferences.
• Understanding of SEND provision and funding arrangements in the UK (e.g., EHCPs, DWP, local
authorities).
• Experience working with senior stakeholders via formal reporting mechanisms.
• Leadership experience managing people/teams.
• Financial literacy and experience managing budgets.
Desirable Experience and Qualifications
• Experience working with DFN Project SEARCH programmes or similar supported internship
models.
• Experience in selling services or products and effective account management.
• Knowledge of safeguarding and health & safety in programme delivery.
• Knowledge and experience of using the Microsoft suite, in particular Outlook and Excel
• Experience of using a CRM for administrative and reporting purposes
DFN Project SEARCH are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young
people and adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject
to an enhanced DBS disclosure.
We particularly welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+
candidates, disabled candidates, and from men, because we would like to increase the
representation of these groups at this level at DFN Project SEARCH.
-Interviews will take place on:
1st round July 23rd and July 24th
2nd and final round: July 31st
Closing date: Sunday July 12th
-Start date - Asap
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Job Title: Commercial Partnership Manager
Location(s): Home-based with attendance at AdviceUK office in London and at meetings as required.
London office: AdviceUK, 83 Victoria Street, London, SW1H 0HW
Status: Fixed term for two years (potential to become permanent)
Reporting to: Head of Membership and Services
Responsible for: n/a
Pay range: £42,000 to £47,000 full time equivalent. £33,600 to £37,600 actual salary, dependant on experience.
Working hours: 28 hours per week within normal operating hours (35 hours full time equivalent). Normal operating hours are 8.00am - 6.30pm, Monday – Friday. Lunch and other breaks are unpaid.
Special conditions: Some evening and weekend work may be required for which time off in lieu (TOIL) will be granted. Some travel will be required which may entail some overnight stays.
We are committed to diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all backgrounds, particularly encouraging those from underrepresented groups. If you require any accessibility support or reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.
JOB PURPOSE
The postholder is responsible for securing, managing, and growing commercial partnerships with organisations that support AdviceUK’s mission, values and strategic priorities. These partnerships should significantly increase AdviceUK’s commercial income, extend AdviceUK’s reach, and achieve measurable social impact. The postholder will ensure that commercial partnerships both comply with relevant legal and regulatory requirements and contribute positively to AdviceUK’s reputation and influence.
KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Partnership development
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Identify, research, and secure new commercial and corporate partnership opportunities aligned with AdviceUK’s strategic and income generation priorities.
- Develop compelling partnership propositions, including sponsorships, strategic alliances, product/service developments, cause‑related marketing, corporate social responsibility, and other commercial collaborations.
-
Identify and develop new products and services that benefit members, grow income, and support member recruitment and retention.
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Shape new products and services with user and sector insight, applying structured approaches to testing, evaluation and scaling. Ensure that pricing, return on investment and other financial modelling is completed to demonstrate how new products or services deliver agreed objectives.
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Bring external market insight into AdviceUK’s strategic planning and decision making, ensuring that commercial partnership propositions are clearly differentiated in the markets they are targeting.
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Work with the Head of Membership and Services, other colleagues at AdviceUK, and AdviceUK’s existing commercial partners to develop a commercial partnership strategy, business plan and pipeline.
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Lead negotiations and contract discussions in partnership with the Head of Membership and Services, Finance and where relevant, AdviceUK commercial partners and subsidiaries.
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Ensure all partnerships align with the charity’s mission, values and ethical standards.
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Carry out appropriate due diligence and risk assessments on commercial partners
2. Partnership management and growth
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Act as the primary relationship manager for AdviceUK’s current commercial partners and subsidiaries to ensure they feel valued, informed, and engaged throughout the partnership lifecycle.
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Maximise the value of established partnerships through renewals, extensions, upselling opportunities, and agreed new income generation activity. Support cross‑team collaboration and knowledge sharing.
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Identify opportunities for innovation and growth within AdviceUK’s commercial partnerships portfolio.
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Support the communication of impact to partners, including reporting on outcomes enabled by their support.
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Represent AdviceUK at events, conferences and networks relevant to the commercial partnerships portfolio.
3. Income generation and performance
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Ensure all partnerships deliver against agreed financial and non‑financial objectives. Contribute to departmental budgeting and forecasting.
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Monitor partnership performance and provide accurate reporting on partnership income, engagement, and impact.
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Contribute to the ongoing review of existing commercial partnerships and service level agreements, making recommendations for change as required.
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Share learning, insight, and good practice to continually improve commercial partnership approaches.
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Ensure compliance with Charity Commission and Companies House guidance, relevant fundraising regulations, and internal governance policies.
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Work closely with AdviceUK colleagues to deliver integrated partnership activities.
4. Data and evidence
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Support the delivery of performance reports as required to evidence the extent to which commercial partnerships are achieving required KPIs.
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Work with colleagues to ensure that partnership datasets are accurate, timely and support decision making.
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Ensure any partnership activity that requires data sharing adheres to data protection and cybersecurity requirements.
5. General responsibilities
- Ensure you effectively communicate AdviceUK’s vision, mission and objectives to staff, members and external stakeholders.
- Ensure you demonstrate AdviceUK’s values and behaviours in all aspects of your work.
- Build and maintain positive relationships with key stakeholders including staff, trustees, members, partners and suppliers.
- With support from your manager, deliver your agreed personal objectives and undertake any agreed development or training.
- Maintain a strong understanding of our members and the advice sector more generally, by reading internal reports; accessing relevant data reports; following our social media channels; and, where possible, attending member and other relevant events. With the agreement of your line manager, ensure you make time to speak to members and visit their services.
- Adhere at all times to AdviceUK’s policies and procedures.
- Carry out any reasonable duties compatible with the post assigned by the Head of Membership and Services.
Our purpose is to improve the lives of people in need of advice. We do this by supporting our members, so it is easier for them to help their clients.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.