Strategic Partnerships Manager

Ready to play a key role in building partnerships that drive real impact in international education?

As a Strategic Partnerships Manager within the STRP team, you will lead the development and management of high-impact partnerships that drive our mission forward. You’ll work closely with global education institutions and internal stakeholders to design innovative strategies that unlock growth and improve student outcomes. At STRP we collaborate with commercial partners that provide essential services such as: 

• housing
• insurance
• student financing (loans)
• language testing
• visa support
• test preparation
• pathway programs, etc. 

If you're passionate about international education and love building meaningful, win-win collaborations, this is the perfect opportunity for you!

Your Impact

This is a hybrid role combining account management and new business development. You will nurture and expand existing partnerships while also identifying and securing new opportunities, supported by senior leadership.

Account Management (≈50%)

• Build, manage, and grow relationships with strategic partners across the international student journey
• Act as the primary point of contact, ensuring partner satisfaction and long-term value creation
• Monitor performance, identify growth opportunities, and optimize partnership outcomes
• Collaborate cross-functionally (product, marketing, operations) to drive partner success
• Develop a deep understanding of partner offerings and how they integrate into the broader student journey

Business Development (≈50%)

• Identify, qualify, and pursue new partnership opportunities across relevant service areas
• Own the sales process end-to-end, from prospecting through to closing, with support from senior leadership
• Lead high-level and complex negotiations with key stakeholders
• Develop tailored partnership proposals and negotiate commercial agreements
• Stay informed on market trends within higher education and student services
• Expand the STRP portfolio with scalable, high-impact partnerships

Requirements

• Experience within higher education, international student services, or a related sector
• Proven track record in account management, business development, or a similar commercial role
• Strong understanding of the international student journey and the ecosystem of services supporting it
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build and maintain strong relationships
• Commercially minded, with a demonstrated ability to identify opportunities and close deals
• Proactive and self-motivated, with the drive to take ownership and deliver results
• Positive, enthusiastic attitude with a collaborative approach
• Creative thinker, able to identify opportunities and develop effective solutions
• Strong understanding of product offerings and market dynamics
• Reliable, responsive, and accountable in delivering on commitments
• Comfortable working independently while contributing as part of a wider team

Benefits

• Competitive salary including a bonus and pension.
• 32 vacation days (including bank holidays) you have the flexibility to take your holidays whenever you want (e.g., be off on Chinese New Year instead of King’s Day).
• Reimbursement of your work-related travel costs.
• Flexibility to work remotely 3 days per week, including a remote working allowance.
• Possibility to work from abroad 2 times a year.
• An annual personal development budget because personal growth is KEY!
• A nice and fun office in the heart of Eindhoven; five minutes’ walk away from the station.