Partnership and Service Development Manager

• Ipswich Community Media and Learning 
• Address: International House, 6 South Street, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 3NU
• Salary: £17,500 per annum (£35,000 pro rata)
• Hours: Part time, 17.5 hours per week
• Contract: Permanent
• Reference: 0856

Ipswich Community Media and Learning are seeking a Partnership and Service Development Manager.

At Ipswich Community Media (ICM), we believe creativity can transform lives. Through our Alternative Provision service, we support young people who have become disengaged from mainstream education, helping them rebuild confidence, gain qualifications and move towards brighter futures.

We are looking for an ambitious and relationship focused Partnership and Service Development Manager to lead the growth and sustainability of our Alternative Provision service.

This is a role for someone who enjoys building trusted partnerships, spotting opportunities, influencing decision makers and ensuring services make a lasting impact. You will work with schools, Suffolk County Council, commissioners, families and community organisations to increase learner referrals while ensuring every young person receives an outstanding experience from first enquiry through to successful progression.

If you are passionate about making a difference and have the commercial awareness to help a charity grow sustainably, we'd love to hear from you.

What is the main purpose of the role?

You will be responsible for developing strategic partnerships that increase learner referrals and ensure the long-term sustainability of ICM's Alternative Provision service.

Working closely with our Lead Tutor and Student Liaison, you will oversee referrals, occupancy and operational delivery, while acting as the key link between ICM, schools, commissioners, parents and partner organisations.

You will also play a key leadership role in developing the service, supporting safeguarding, coordinating freelance tutors and identifying opportunities for future growth.

What will the job entail?

Your responsibilities

As our Partnership and Service Development Manager you will:

• Develop strong relationships with schools, Multi-Academy Trusts, Suffolk County Council, commissioners, parents and community partners. 
• Promote ICM's Alternative Provision through networking, presentations and stakeholder engagement. 
• Take ownership of learner recruitment, referrals and occupancy to ensure the service operates sustainably. 
• Manage enquiries from first contact through to successful learner placement. 
• Work alongside the Lead Tutor to ensure learners receive the right support and educational experience. 
• Line manage and coordinate freelance tutors and support operational planning. 
• Line Manage the Lead Tutor
• Act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead for the service. 
• Represent ICM at EHCP reviews, commissioning meetings and partnership forums. 
• Produce reports demonstrating learner outcomes, service impact and financial performance. 
• Help identify funding opportunities, develop partnerships and contribute to future business planning. 
• Work closely with ICM's Marketing Team to promote the service through case studies, success stories and promotional activity. 

What are your responsibilities?

What you will need

You will be a confident communicator who enjoys building relationships and making things happen.

You will ideally have experience of:

• Developing successful partnerships with schools, local authorities, commissioners or other public sector organisations. 
• Business development, service growth or partnership management. 
• Working with children, young people and families. 
• Managing referrals or customer journeys within education, youth services or a similar environment. 
• Coordinating teams and working collaboratively across multiple stakeholders. 
• Safeguarding children and young people (or willingness to obtain Designated Safeguarding Lead status). 
• Producing reports, analysing performance data and using information to improve services. 

Experience of Alternative Provision, SEND, education commissioning or the voluntary sector would be highly desirable.

About us

At Ipswich Community Media (ICM), we believe creativity can transform lives. Through our Alternative Provision service, we support young people who have become disengaged from mainstream education, helping them rebuild confidence, gain qualifications and move towards brighter futures.

What we will offer you

This is an opportunity to help shape the future of a growing service that genuinely changes lives.

You will have the autonomy to build partnerships, influence local education providers and develop innovative ways of reaching more young people who need support.

Every new partnership you develop, every learner you help place and every opportunity you create will directly improve outcomes for young people across Suffolk.

For more information

Please visit our website.

Please contact Bruce MacGregor, by calling 01473 852552.

How to apply

To apply for this role please send your CV and a covering letter explaining why you are suited to the role to: [email protected] 

Closing date: 9 am, 13 August 2026.

Interview date: week commencing, 17 August 2026.

ICM is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The successful applicant will be required to undergo an Enhanced DBS check and either hold, or be willing to work towards, Designated Safeguarding Lead status.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. We particularly encourage applications from groups currently underrepresented within our workforce.