Job Title: Relationship Manager
Department: SEN Team
Reports to: Rebecca Jones, Head of Operations
Location: HQ
Contract: Permanent, Full-Time
Actual pay £32,000 per annum
Role Purpose
The Relationship Manager is a key crossover role bridging the Area SENCo function and the wider business development and engagement activity of the organisation.Based at our Head Office, with responsibility for supporting teams across our centres throughout the South West and Yorkshire. The postholder is responsible for building and maintaining strong relationships with schools, local authorities, commissioners, Stakeholders, caregivers and partner agencies to support the growth and sustainability of the provision.
The Relationship Manager supports the placement process by acting as a key point of contact throughout initial referral and onboarding. Once a learner is onboard, all SEN-specific needs, requirements, and provision oversight are handed to and managed by the dedicated SEN team. This role does not carry responsibility for the detailed ongoing SEN case management of individual learners post-placement, it does continue to support the ongoing positive relationship throughout placement.
In addition, the postholder will serve as the Designated Deputy Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) for the company, providing strategic safeguarding support across all sites and working closely with the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) to maintain robust safeguarding standards across the organisation.
Key Responsibilities
Relationship Development & Engagement
● Serve as the primary point of contact for schools, local authorities, stakeholders, caregivers, commissioners, and referral partners across the company.
● Proactively develop and manage a pipeline of prospective placements and commissioning relationships, using Pipedrive CRM as the primary tool for tracking, progressing, and reporting on all relationship activity.
● Maintain accurate and up-to-date records in Pipedrive, logging all communications, meetings, referrals, and follow-up actions in a timely manner.
● Represent the organisation at school, agency, and local authority meetings, viewings, and networking events across the company.
● Develop and deliver engagement activity to increase awareness of the provision among key stakeholder groups, including presentations, tours, and information events.
● Identify opportunities for new or expanded commissioning arrangements and work with the Head of Operations to develop proposals and service agreements.
- Being responsible for collating feedback data
Onboarding & Placement Coordination
● Lead on the onboarding process for new learners, coordinating with schools, families, and local authorities to gather the information required to progress a placement.
● Carry out initial parent and carer meet and greets as part of the onboarding process, providing a warm and informed introduction to the provision.
● Obtain and process all required onboarding documentation, ensuring accurate student and placement records are established ahead of commencement.
● Facilitate school or agency viewings and risk assessments ahead of placement confirmation.
● Work with the SEN Team to support placement confirmation, ensure a smooth and structured handover of the learner’s SEN needs and requirements, maintaining clear communication throughout the transition.
Stakeholder Communication & Multi-Agency Working
● Maintain effective communication with schools, local authorities, parents, carers, and external agencies throughout the placement journey and beyond.
● Attend EHCP, TAF, transitional, and multi-agency meetings where appropriate and as required, representing the provision professionally and providing relevant updates.
● Liaise with the Head of Operations and SEN team on placement activity, capacity, and relationship developments.
● Support Provision Coordinators with placement-related communication and direction as required, working collaboratively to resolve arising issues.
Designated Deputy Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) , Company & Southwest Region
● Act as Designated Deputy Safeguarding Lead at company level, supporting the DSL in the oversight and management of all safeguarding matters across the organisation.
● Hold the DDSL role within the Southwest region, taking lead responsibility for safeguarding concerns, disclosures, and referrals arising in the area.
● Manage and resolve safeguarding issues in line with statutory guidance and organisational policy, escalating to the DSL as required.
● Maintain oversight of safeguarding administration and records, ensuring all documentation is accurate, up to date, and compliant.
● Keep up to date with safeguarding legislation, guidance, and local procedures, supporting staff training and awareness across the organisation.
Skills & Competencies
● Strong relationship-building and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage confidently with schools, local authorities, commissioners, and families.
● Proficient in the use of CRM systems, with experience of Pipedrive or a comparable pipeline management tool.
● Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present information clearly to a range of audiences.
● Understanding of the SEND landscape, AP commissioning, Post 16 and the needs of young people with SEN, including familiarity with EHCPs and the Preparing for Adulthood framework.
● Self-motivated, organised, and able to manage a varied workload across multiple relationships and workstreams simultaneously.
● Committed to safeguarding and the promotion of children’s welfare, with the personal qualities required to hold a DDSL designation.
Knowledge & Experience
● Experience in a relationship management, business development, engagement, or account management role, ideally within an education, SEND, or social care context.
● Knowledge of the SEND and Alternative Provision landscape, including commissioning processes and the role of local authorities.
● Experience working with CRM or pipeline management tools (Pipedrive experience desirable). ● Previous experience in or alongside a safeguarding role is desirable; willingness to undertake DDSL training is essential.
Qualifications
● Level 3 qualification or above in a relevant field (education, health and social care, business, or equivalent) , desirable.
● Designated Deputy Safeguarding Lead training (or commitment to complete within a defined period of appointment) , essential.
● Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle are essential, as regular travel between all Tubers sites is required.
Safeguarding Commitment
The postholder is required to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people and must comply with all safeguarding policies and procedures. An enhanced DBS check is required for this role. The postholder will hold the Designated Deputy Safeguarding Lead designation at both company level and within the Southwest region, and is expected to maintain the knowledge, skills, and training required to fulfil this responsibility.
Pay: £32,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
