Job Description
Connect Vulnerable Learners with the Right Provision Across Lancashire
Are you an energetic, outgoing relationship builder who thrives on commercial outreach, community networking, and making a meaningful social impact?
Our multi-site Alternative Provision (AP) Trust operates specialised, trauma-informed learning hubs across East Lancashire and the Ribble Valley. We are looking for an ambitious, highly communicative Sales, Partnerships & Referrals Manager to spearhead our pupil admissions pipeline and expand our commissioner network.
In this outward-facing role, you will be the driving force connecting our provision with secondary headteachers, multi-academy trust (MAT) leaders, SENCOs, and local authority inclusion teams across Lancashire.
Why Take on This Role?
Mission with Purpose: Every referral and partnership you secure ensures a young person who has disengaged from mainstream education finds a place where they can thrive.
Competitive Package: Up to £35,000 basic salary with business travel expenses covered across local sites.
Autonomous & Dynamic: Split your week between partner secondary schools, local authority forums, and our vibrant campuses in Accrington and Clitheroe.
No Cold Calling Script Mills: We build genuine, relational partnerships grounded in education, trust, and exceptional learner outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Sales & Commissioning Growth
Proactively engage with regional secondary schools, MAT CEOs, and Lancashire County Council inclusion teams to promote our specialist AP placements.
Attend education forums, headteacher briefings, and local SEND network events to position our trust as the provider of choice.
Pitch tailored commissioning packages (full-time placements, dual-registration, respite, and vocational pathways) to school leaders.
Referrals & Pipeline Management
Manage the end-to-end pupil referral journey from initial commissioner enquiry to formal enrollment.
Review inbound referral packs, ensuring EHCP paperwork, risk assessments, and pupil history align with our provision's capacity.
Liaise with parents, carers, and SENCOs to coordinate induction visits and ease transitions into our school settings.
Stakeholder Communication & Reporting
Maintain up-to-date tracking of placement occupancy, projected referral pipelines, and local authority service-level agreements (SLAs).
Deliver clear reporting to trust executive leadership on commission targets and regional capacity.
Who We Are Looking For
The Mindset: Outgoing, charismatic, resilient, and confident walking into school boardrooms or networking with senior local authority officers.
Commercial & Relational Acumen: Demonstrable background in business development, education recruitment, student admissions, healthcare/social care commissioning, or partnership sales.
Communication Skills: Exceptional presentation, negotiation, and written communication skills; able to strike the balance between commercial drive and child-centred empathy.
Sector Familiarity: Understanding of Alternative Provision (AP), Pupil Referral Units (PRUs), SEND/EHCP frameworks, or school funding mechanisms is advantageous but not mandatory.
Mobility: Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle to visit schools and sites across Accrington, Clitheroe, Burnley, and the wider Ribble Valley.
Safeguarding: Enhanced Child & Adult Workforce DBS on the Update Service (or willing to complete one).
