Head of Strategic Partnerships

Be part of something great Maximus is a global organisation that specialises in providing health and employment services to millions of people every year. Here in the UK we employ around 5,000 people across the country to deliver services that have a profound impact on people’s lives. From assessments and health services to employability programmes and specialist support, we do work that matters with people who care. The public services landscape is changing rapidly. Devolution, integrated commissioning, outcome-based procurement, place-based partnerships, social value and increasing collaboration between public, private and voluntary sectors are reshaping how services are designed, commissioned and delivered. At Maximus, we're looking for a strategic thinker and relationship builder who can help us to not just respond to market change but help us shape it. The Head of Strategic Partnerships will be responsible for developing and leading high-impact partnerships that strengthen the organisation’s position with commissioners, policy influencers and delivery partners, and directly support growth, bid success and long-term contract performance. You will identify and cultivate high-value partnerships across government, academia, policy, and the VCSE sector, among others, translating insight and collaboration into tangible opportunities for service improvement, market development and business growth. The role focuses on strategic, pre-procurement and market-shaping partnerships, rather than day-to-day contract delivery. It is an outward-facing role, working with current and potential future partners and representing Maximus as we develop solutions across markets as varied as health, skills, justice and CX. This is a newly created, outward-facing role, combining strategic relationship management, business development, policy alignment and delivery integration.

Accountabilities 1. Working with the Director of Corporate Affairs and Strategy and Head of Policy and Strategic Partnerships, develop and implement a strategic partnerships strategy and framework aligned to the Maximus strategy, growth priorities and salient public policy trends. 2. Identify, prioritise and manage key national and strategic regional partnerships that enhance commissioning relationships, delivery capability and business reputation. This could include academic institutions, membership and trade bodies, campaign/lobby groups, government departments and VCSE organisations. 3. Act as relationship lead for strategic partners, ensuring clear governance, accountability and mutual value. Establish and oversee partnership governance arrangements, including MOUs, collaboration agreements. 4. Work closely with growth and commercial teams to embed partnerships into bid strategy, partnership models and inform service design. Shape delivery models that combine Maximus’ scale and commercial strength with specialist, voluntary and community expertise. 5. Build organisational capability in partnership working, including tools, guidance and best practice. 6. Identify opportunities for Maximus senior leaders to speak at partner events or develop thought leadership content to raise brand profile and position the business as a sector leader. 7. Work with policy, data, government relations and marketing colleagues to leverage evaluation findings, lived-experience insight, events and data to strengthen partnerships and commissioner relationships. Key Internal Stakeholders & Relationships Country Leadership Team Regional Directors Growth/Business Development team Marketing and Integrated Communications teams Community Partnerships team Key External Stakeholders & Relationships Government officials