Partnerships Manager/ Senior Manager (UAE Nationals)

Description

• Partnership Intake & Validation

• Receive and manage all partnership-related requests from internal stakeholders.
• Ensure completeness, clarity, and alignment of submitted opportunities before escalation.
• Act as the single point of intake and coordination for all partnership communications.

• Partnership Coordination & Structuring

• Coordinate the development and structuring of partnership opportunities following Business Development direction.
• Liaise with internal stakeholders (Sales, Marketing, Events, Academic units) to align requirements.
• Ensure smooth progression of partnerships through approval and execution stages.

• External Relationship Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with institutional, corporate, and strategic partners.
• Support engagement with partners to facilitate opportunities aligned with university priorities.
• Ensure consistent and professional communication with all external stakeholders.

• Partnership Lifecycle Management

• Maintain and manage all partnership records (MoUs, agreements, documentation).
• Monitor partnership performance, utilization, and outcomes.
• Support periodic evaluation and reporting on partnership effectiveness.
• Cross-Functional Integration
• Work closely with:
• Marketing to support promotion and visibility of partnerships
• Events to coordinate partnership-related events and engagements
• Sales to enable monetization and commercial opportunities
• Ensure partnerships are effectively integrated into the end-to-end Business Development flow.

• Governance & Compliance

• Ensure all partnerships follow the defined Business Development governance process.
• Support preparation of documentation required for:
• Enterprise Council
• Chancellor approval
• Ensure compliance with institutional policies and procedures.

• Reporting & Data Management

• Maintain a centralized database of partnerships, contacts, and outcomes.
• Provide regular updates and reports on partnership pipeline and performance.
• Track opportunities generated through partnerships and their progression.
• Additional Responsibilities
• Support strategic Business Development initiatives as directed.
• Perform other duties assigned by the Business Development Director

& Skills

• 6 years of relevant experience in Higher Education or international administrative or management role, preferably with international and partnership experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in public relations, Communications, International Business or any related field from an accredited university.
• + Knowledge of intercultural relations and global perspectives; respectful, with cultural and social awareness and sensitivity.
• + Ability to effectively communicate information and ideas in written and verbal format and build and maintain relationships.
• + Ability to accomplish both domestic and international business missions that require extensive travelling as needed.
• + Good knowledge of issues relating to international partnerships and projects.
• + Experience of working closely with senior management, ideally in an HE environment.
• + Ability to convey complex issues concisely and clearly and draft high-quality reports including when under pressure.
• + Excellent organizational and events management skills able to plan and organize highly complex events reliably and successfully.
• + Ability to identify, access, debrief and store information and data effectively to deliver information requirements.
• + Ability to produce high quality communications and marketing documents.
• + Excellent written and oral communication skills including report writing, briefing materials and presentations for a range of audiences.