Head of Strategic Partnerships

Location

Manchester Company Invest Manchester Contract type Permanent/ Full- time

Salary

Up to £57,650 per annum Closing Date 09/10/2026 Ref No 5404 Are you a strategic relationship builder with the influence and commercial insight to attract investment into one of the UK's most dynamic city-regions?

At Invest Manchester, we're looking for a Head of Strategic Partnerships to develop high-value partnerships, engage senior stakeholders and create opportunities that support Greater Manchester's economic growth.

You'll represent the city-region on a national and international stage, promoting investment opportunities, strengthening key relationships and leading a high-performing team to deliver real impact.

Invest Manchester is Greater Manchester's inward investment agency, helping businesses relocate, invest and grow by connecting them with expert advice, market intelligence, commercial opportunities and key partners across the region.

As the UK's largest economy outside London, Greater Manchester is a place where innovation, ambition and investment come together to drive long-term success.

Please note: This role involves some travel across Greater Manchester, with occasional international travel and attendance at events outside of normal working hours when required.

Interviews will take place in person at our Manchester office on 22nd and 23rd October. Please ensure you are available to attend on these dates before applying.

Key Responsibilities:

• In alignment with GMCA and Marketing Manchester, develop and deliver a Strategic Partnerships and International Engagement Strategy that supports Greater Manchester's inward investment ambitions.
• Build and maintain influential relationships with investors, trade organisations, government agencies, embassies, consulates and business networks.
• Identify and drive opportunities that generate investment, collaboration and economic growth across the city-region.
• Lead high-profile investor engagements, international delegations, trade missions and ministerial visits.
• Oversee strategic partnership initiatives, advisory boards and investment champion networks.
• Use market intelligence, insight and data to shape strategy and inform decision-making.
• Provide impactful reporting and recommendations to senior leaders on outcomes, opportunities and future priorities.
• Lead, develop and inspire a high-performing Strategic Partnerships team, driving continuous improvement and delivery excellence.

About You:

• A natural relationship builder who quickly establishes trust and credibility with senior stakeholders.
• You thrive in complex stakeholder environments and are comfortable influencing at senior levels.
• Commercially minded, politically astute and passionate about driving regional growth.
• You enjoy bringing people together around shared ambitions and common goals.
• Confident in representing an organisation at high-profile meetings, events and international engagements.
• Proactive, solutions-focused and able to balance competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Passionate about promoting Greater Manchester and supporting its international reputation and success.
• An inspiring leader who empowers others and creates an inclusive, high-performing culture.

Skills Required:

• Significant experience building and nurturing strategic partnerships that deliver measurable outcomes.
• Strong understanding of economic development, inward investment, place promotion or regional growth agendas.
• Proven ability to engage, influence and negotiate with senior public and private sector stakeholders.
• Experience developing stakeholder engagement strategies and managing complex partnership networks.
• Strong commercial awareness with the ability to think strategically and make informed decisions.
• Experience leading international engagement activities, investment promotion initiatives, trade missions or delegations.
• Excellent communication, presentation and public speaking skills, with the ability to influence senior audiences.
• Proven experience leading, motivating and developing high-performing teams, supported by strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

To learn more about Invest Manchester, please visit: Welcome to Manchester - Invest Manchester

We are currently unable to provide sponsorship for work permits or visas. Therefore, we can only consider candidates who already have the legal right to work in the UK.

Artificial intelligence can assist you during the application process, but every example and statement you include must be honest, accurate, and based on your own real experiences. If plagiarism is detected, meaning you present someone else’s ideas or experiences, or AI‑generated content, as your own, your application may be withdrawn, and internal applicants could face disciplinary action.

At GC, safeguarding the welfare of all individuals including vulnerable adults and young people is a top priority, and we expect all staff to uphold this standard. All appointments follow Safer Recruitment Procedures, including a DBS check carried out by Due Diligence Limited (DDC Ltd), at no cost to the successful candidate.

Please note: It is a legal offence to apply for a role involving regulated activity if you are on the Barred List.

We are committed to increasing workforce diversity and offer a guaranteed interview to applicants who meet the essential criteria and either have a disability or are from a diverse ethnic community.

If this applies to you, you can request consideration under this scheme during the application process. Your request will be shared only with the Hiring Manager and Internal Recruitment Team.

We also aim to make our recruitment process inclusive and accessible. If you need reasonable adjustments or have any general enquiries at any stage or the recruitment process, please contact careers@growthco.uk or call us on 0161 237 4447.

Examples include:

• Meeting the hiring manager or touring the venue in advance.
• Extra time for tasks.
• Interview questions shared beforehand.
• Accessibility software or equipment for assessments.

We’re proud to support the Ban the Box campaign, which helps people with convictions access job opportunities. As part of this, we’ve removed questions about convictions from the initial application stage.

GC is committed to fostering a culture of flexibility and agile working. Many roles will increasingly support full agile arrangements. If you require more permanent flexibility, we encourage you to discuss this during your interview so your request can be considered early in the process.

All GC colleagues will work in line with the Health and Safety at work act and the GC Health and Safety Policy.

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