Partnerships Business Development Manager, FutureLearn
HEI
FutureLearn is a UK-led global learning platform, founded in 2012 offering top online courses.
Open for applications
FutureLearn is a UK-led global learning platform, founded in 2012 offering top online courses.
201-500 employees
Open for applications
201-500 employees
Company mission
FutureLearn’s purpose is to transform access to education.
Role
Who you are
- A passion for education and online learning
- An ability to sell software as a service, preferably in either the Tech or Education Sector
- 5 - 8 years of experience in building strong partnerships (account management / business development), preferably with universities, or equivalent organisations
- Experience of identifying, managing and negotiating commercial transactions such as contracts, service agreements and KPIs
- The ability to discuss market insight with partners to support choices around course creation and promotion, drawing upon insight and expertise within FutureLearn
- The ability to collaborate across a multi-disciplinary team, flexibility towards changes and specific direction, whilst maintaining a positive attitude
- Self-motivation, organisational skills and the ability to work under pressure to deliver against performance targets
- Excellent time management and ability to work both in the office and remotely
- Experience of using CRM systems to manage and report on sales opportunities and deals
- Experience of presenting to groups to deliver key messages and handling senior academic stakeholder questions effectively
- Any experience with Teaching and Education is an advantage
- Any experience of university VLE/LMS systems, student registration and assessment processes to engage in early discussions on using FutureLearn for academic programmes is desirable
What the job involves
- The purpose of this role is to identify and recruit new Partners for FutureLearn, (predominantly in the UK and Ireland space)
- You will also deliver commercially successful programmes, such as certifications, bootcamps, degrees and short courses to the platform for use by Consumers and Enterprises
- The core aim of the role is to ensure FutureLearn is the preferred partner in helping each partner organisation promote their brand and deliver to global audiences (75% of our business is conducted internationally), in a manner supportive of the wider digital transformation, in a commercially sustainable way
- You will be a critical member of our HEI Partnerships team, with working knowledge of digital trends and developments in the sector, and reporting to the Director of Partnerships, HEI
- You will work to promote and deliver Short Courses, Microcredentials, Degrees and other qualifications, either blended or fully online
- You will collaborate with internal teams to facilitate the delivery of a full suite of products (from short courses to degrees - both on and off platform) and additionally available services for partners
- You will also provide support to the wider activities of the Partnerships team and, depending on experience, may take on responsibility for growing pathways across one of our core areas
- Identify and recruit new Partnerships to the platform, achieving company financial targets
- Develop a business plan targeting specific high value partners; providing focused goals based on overall strategic drivers, ROI and value matching
- Understand the strategy and priorities of partners and facilitate the handover of the partners to Partnership managers to build strong relationships with stakeholders
- Understand the target audience for the Partners’ offering and develop strategies to recruit partners against various tiers and fee structures
- Understand the potential of the FutureLearn solution and ensure that partners are aware of, and able to draw upon, the full range of services available
- Develop, present and discuss rich data and analysis to help identify programmes with high commercial potential for the Partner and FutureLearn
- Plan and Prioritise to ensure that you are delivering on quarterly targets for Partner Memberships Fees, content proposals, and Direct Revenue opportunities, including FutureLearn OPM leads
- Keep abreast of developments in the Higher Ed and / or Industry sectors in the global and UK region and becoming a trusted advisor to our partners
- Work efficiently across a number of Departments in FutureLearn to ensure proper Sales Management and Success
Application process
- Click 'Apply', include your CV and tell us why you'd like to become a FutureLearner, and how you’ll nail this role
Salary benchmarks
Our take
Massive open online courses (MOOC) have taken off in the previous decade. Companies such as Udemy, Coursera and Lynda.com have led this wave.
FutureLearn is a UK-led global learning platform, founded in 2012 with the mission to transform access to education by offering top online courses from the world’s leading universities and brands. In November 2022, the company was acquired by Global University Systems (owners and operators of one of the world’s most diverse networks of higher education institutions). Subsequently, FutureLearn's CEO Andy Hancock stepped down and the company's primary subscription plan "Unlimited" was raised in price.
FutureLearn has set itself apart in the fast-growing market for higher education and lifelong learning, helping 10's of millions of learners globally, and has longstanding relationships with leading higher education institutions, including more than 150 UK Universities. However, Future Learn's turbulent year and price rise signal difficulty moving forward as an acquired company. Its price hike is comparable with the price of Coursera's subscription. The latter has a wider back catalogue to bolster its cost though.
Kirsty
Company Specialist at Welcome to the Jungle
Insights
Some candidates hear
back within 2 weeks
58% female employees
-27% employee growth in 12 months
Company
Funding (1 round)
Apr 2019
$63.2m
GROWTH EQUITY VC
Total funding: $63.2m
Company benefits
- Calm Premium Subscription
- Westfield Health Cash Plan
- Buy up to 5 additional days of holiday
- Volunteer for a charity of your choice for a day
- Cycle-to-work scheme
- Season ticket loan
- 28 days holiday (excl. bank holidays)
- Hybrid Working
Company values
- We are Social Learners | We learn together. We empower and inspire our learners, our partners, and ourselves to develop through the power of lifelong learning
- We are Transformative | We see no limits to what we can achieve by harnessing our individual and collective strengths. We are changing the world with our ideas, insights, and unique perspectives
- We are Experimental | Our innovation is led by data, curiosity and the occasional happy accident. We create an uplifting environment where we learn from our failures and celebrate our success
- We are Purposeful | We work hard to succeed because we’re so invested in our shared purpose. As we grow, so does our opportunity to make a long term difference to the lives of millions around the world
Company HQ
Holborn, London, UK
Articles
Leadership
Vitaly Klopot
(COO (Not Founder))Currently Chief Innovation and Commercial Officer at Arden University, Board Member at Dignity Health Global Education, Host of The Business of Education Podcast. Previously COO of Global University Systems.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at FutureLearn
- We value all the great benefits that diversity brings and encourage everyone to bring their whole self to work – At FutureLearn we are proud to have Diversity and Inclusion at the centre of everything we do. We are committed to Equal Employment Opportunity regardless of race, colour, national origin, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or religion.
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