About this role
Job summary The Head of New Partnerships plays a pivotal role in driving the growth of the NHS Alliance's commercial income pipeline, with a particular focus on the organisation's flagship improvement offers, Q and the Evolve Collaborative. The postholder will lead the development and conversion of new business opportunities, building a sustainable pipeline of partnerships that support both organisational impact and long-term financial sustainability.
Main duties of the job
Reporting to the Assistant Director of Partnerships, the role works collaboratively across the organisation to identify market opportunities, shape compelling commercial propositions and secure new partnerships that deliver value for the NHS Alliances members, partners and the wider health and care system.
The Head of New Partnerships is accountable for the leadership and development of the New Partnerships team and will play a key role in delivering the wider ambitions of the Partnerships Directorate. The role requires a highly motivated and commercially astute individual who thrives on generating new opportunities, building trusted relationships and achieving ambitious growth targets.
Travel across England, Wales and Northern Ireland will be required to represent The NHS Alliance, develop strategic relationships and create new business opportunities.
About us The NHS Alliance is the independent membership body that represents and supports the health and care system in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We represent, strengthen and support providers and commissioners of NHS care so that the NHS performs at its best and improves patient care across the UK representing frontline reality to government, shaping policy and building capability. We work across the whole NHS as well as within its individual sectors.
Job description Job responsibilities
Drive commercial growth and income generation - Lead the delivery of the Q and Evolve Collaborative commercial strategies, taking ownership of pipeline generation, opportunity conversion and revenue growth, ensuring income targets are consistently met or exceeded.Lead and develop the New Partnerships team - Provide day-to-day leadership, coaching and development for the New Partnerships team, fostering a high-performing culture focused on business development, customer excellence and commercial success.Build and manage strategic relationships - Develop and maintain trusted relationships with senior stakeholders across the NHS, wider health and care system, third sector and commercial organisations, identifying opportunities for collaboration and partnership growth.Develop and convert a strong commercial pipeline - Build, manage and maintain a robust pipeline of opportunities across multiple products, services and partnership offers, leading prospects through the full sales cycle from prospecting and proposal development to contract completion and effective handover.Represent The NHS Alliance externally - Act as an ambassador for The NHS Alliance at national and regional meetings, conferences and events, expanding organisational reach, strengthening networks and generating new business opportunities.Inform commercial development through market insight - Undertake market, customer and competitor research to identify emerging trends, understand customer needs and challenges, and support the development of commercially viable products, services and partnership opportunities.
Person Specification
Experience Essential
1. Proven new business development and commercial growth expertise
Demonstrable track record of generating and converting new business opportunities, securing significant clients or partnerships, and delivering sustained revenue growth against ambitious income targets.
2. Strong understanding of the NHS and health and care sector
Experience of selling products, services, consultancy, or partnership opportunities into the NHS and wider health and care sector, or equivalent experience working within the NHS with a strong understanding of system structures, priorities and decision-making processes.
3. Commercial acumen and strategic thinking
Proven ability to identify market opportunities, analyse customer needs and trends, develop compelling commercial propositions, and convert opportunities into sustainable long-term partnerships and income streams.
4. Excellent stakeholder engagement, influencing and negotiation skills
Exceptional communication, presentation and relationship-management skills, with the ability to build credibility, influence decision-makers and establish trusted relationships across a broad range of senior stakeholders.
5. Leadership and people development
Experience of leading, motivating and developing high-performing teams, creating a positive, collaborative and results-focused culture that supports individual and organisational success.
6. Highly motivated, resilient and delivery focused
A proactive and organised self-starter with the resilience, initiative and drive to manage a diverse portfolio of opportunities, maintain momentum through complex sales cycles, and consistently deliver results.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details Employer name The NHS Alliance
Address 2nd Floor, 18 Smith Square
Westminster, London
SW1P 3HZ
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://thenhsalliance.org/ (Opens in a new tab)