North East England Partnerships Manager

We are looking for a Partnerships Manager based in North East England who can bridge the gap between MCR Pathways and the corporate, public and SME sectors across the area.

We are re-advertising this position.  If you applied during the previous round, we sincerely appreciate your time and interest but we will not be accepting repeat applications.

About the role

This is a unique opportunity to help shape MCR Pathways’ growth across North East England. As Partnerships Manager, you’ll build relationships with employers, public sector organisations and community partners that create sustainable pipelines of volunteer mentors and wider organisational support.

You’ll enjoy a varied and autonomous role, combining business development, relationship management and regional partnership building. Working flexibly between home, partner locations and communities across the North East, you’ll have the opportunity to influence how mentoring grows across the region while being supported by an experienced national team committed to achieving lasting impact for young people.

Key responsibilities

• Identify and pitch to corporate, public sector and SME partners, aligning their CSR/ESG goals with the MCR Pathways mission to secure strategic, long-term support.
• Drive targeted partner engagement and information sessions to recruit high-quality volunteer mentors and consistently meet monthly regional targets.
• Manage a portfolio of regional partners, delivering exceptional account management to cultivate long-term commitment and build a network of active brand champions.
• Utilise regional insight and market intelligence to design and execute localized recruitment plans tailored to priority schools, employers, and communities.
• Partner with communications teams to deliver targeted local marketing, networking, and social media campaigns that maximize brand visibility and mentor enquiries.
• Monitor pipeline metrics and event effectiveness using CRM systems, while collaborating internally to smoothly convert volunteer enquiries into active mentors.

About you

• Experience of and expertise in relationship-building on an organisational  and individual level 
• Experience presenting compelling and emotionally engaging information sessions  to stakeholder organisations and individuals 
• Experience and understanding of the importance of recruiting a diverse range of volunteers 
• Can-do, proactive, flexible, solution-focused attitude 
• Belief in young people’s potential, modelling motivation, commitment and resilience
• Knowledge of North East England, its community groups and organisations

This role would suit someone with experience in business development, partnerships, account management or fundraising who is ready to take the next step in their career. You’ll have the opportunity to shape partnerships across the North East while being supported by an experienced national team.

About us

MCR Pathways is an award-winning mentoring charity, founded in Glasgow in 2007 and now expanding across North East England. Every week, our volunteer mentors give just one hour of their time to help young people build confidence, recognise their strengths and realise their potential. Through trusted, long-term relationships, mentoring helps young people navigate challenges, broaden their horizons and create brighter futures.

Our mission:  To connect every young person with a trusted adult mentor, someone who sparks confidence, fuels ambition, and walks beside them as they find their way.

Our vision:  MCR Pathways will work until every young person has someone to help them find their way.

You will be joining a friendly and supportive team who love what they do and enjoy working with each other.  MCR Pathways’ values are Respect, Communication, Trust and Growth and they inform everything we do.

Benefits include:  30 days annual leave (inclusive of public holidays) in first year rising to 35 days from 2nd year of employment, 7% Employer Pension Contribution, 3 further days of annual leave between the December and January public holidays, additional day off for your birthday,  annual salary increment, Employee Assistance Programme, Life Assurance – 4 x salary.