Candidate Partnerships Team Lead

Role: Candidate Partnerships Team Lead 

Location: UK, London

Job type: Full time, permanent – hybrid

This position offers a hybrid work model, allowing flexibility between working from home and our office.

Typically, employees are expected to work 2 days in the office per week.

Why QS?

At QS, we believe that work should empower you. That’s why we foster a flexible working environment that encourages every employee to own their career whilst flourishing personally and professionally. Our company values underpin everything we do – we collaborate, respect and support each other.

It’s our mission to empower motivated people around the world to fulfil their potential through higher education, ensuring that everyone has access to opportunities that change lives.

Our diversity makes us stronger. By sharing our experiences, we learn from one another and achieve more together, driving progress across the sector.

At QS, you’ll be responsible for implementing real change in the international higher education landscape. You’ll take on meaningful challenges that see a positive impact across the business and the wider sector.

We’re confident you’ll feel right at home here. QS was named as one of Newsweek’s Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces® in the UK (October 2023), recognising the respect, trust and appreciation that drive our culture every day. And as a gold-accredited Investors in People organisation – putting us among the top 28% of workplaces globally – it’s official: QS is a place where everyone can thrive.

As a Candidate Partnerships Team Lead , this is what you’ll be doing:

The Candidate Partnership, Team Lead is a senior member of the events operations teams with responsibility for the operational efficiency of QS Connect including team management and product development.  

Role responsibilities 

Leadership

• Embody the QS culture – promoting sustainability, accountability, empowerment, and creating a one-team approach to solving problems within events delivery.  
• Foster an environment that encourages the team to embrace the company values of authenticity, helpfulness, independence, and ambition.  
• Lead, build, and develop the Candidate partnerships team, fostering an innovative spirit to drive efficiency and profitability 
• Help to influence sales and B2B marketing teams to ensure QS Connect messaging and internal training is understood and delivered.  

Product Optimisation

• Lead on optimising and automation of QS Connect and own the product roadmap for Simple Match. Collaborating with QS Product and Technology teams to continually advance the technology to suit the evolving needs and candidates and University partners.  
• Responsibility for developing workflows to reduce friction in candidate and client journeys ensuring reduced dependence on manual intervention  
• Ensure alignment of Connect Product with business objectives and stakeholder requirements.

Delivery

• Lead the execution of Connect Events, including on-the-day operations for the Connect and Discover Events   
• Coordinate selections planning and collaborate with Event Operations team on staffing and event scheduling  
• Travel to and manage events where required  
• Client Communications and Management  
• Support Sales and Customer Service Managers to ensure clients are maiximising value out of QS Connect and ensuring recurring revenue  
• Represent QS Connect in meetings and strategical calls with clients where required  
• Any other duties as required by their manager or wider Student Recruitment Division

Key skills and experience 

• Proven experience in product ownership, roadmap management, and automation tool optimisation.  
• Strong leadership and people management skills, with experience in mentoring and developing direct reports.  
• Expertise in data analysis, workflow automation, and AI-driven process implementation.  
• Strong cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management skills.  
• Experience with CRM tools such as HubSpot, and similar platforms.  
• Excellent communication and organizational skills with a track record of delivering complex projects on time.  
• Ability to identify opportunities, assess risks, and drive business success through innovative solutions.  
• Experience in the Higher Ed / recruitments industries a plus but not a necessity 

Please note, if you don't meet all the criteria but believe you have the skills and passion to thrive in this role, we encourage you to apply.

So, who are we and what do we do?

QS is the world leader in higher education services, analytics, insights and intelligence. From consultancy to student mobility, academic partnerships to branding solutions, our services power both institutional and individual success.

We’re behind the world’s most widely read university rankings (Meltwater 2023). Our QS World University Rankings® reach hundreds of millions, shaping decisions and guiding futures.

Since launching in 1990, our impact and influence have only grown. Today, we work with more than 2,000 of the world’s leading higher education institutions, over 12,000 employers, and governments seeking change and socioeconomic development through higher education.

Join QS and you’ll join an 800-strong community of problem-solvers, creators, collaborators and change-makers based in 40+ countries and 11 international offices, including Australia, Malaysia, India, Romania, Singapore, France, Germany, the USA and our headquarters in London.

With every talented new hire, business acquisition and bold initiative, we’re strengthening our reach and delivering even greater value to institutions and learners worldwide. Are you ready to shape the future of higher education?

We take investing in our people very seriously.

As standard you will have:

• Competitive base salary
• Access to an annual bonus scheme (for qualifying roles only)
• 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays – increasing to 27 days after 5 years’
• Access to a Buy Holiday scheme allowing you to buy up to 5 additional holiday days per year
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
• Generous pension through Royal London
• Comprehensive private medical insurance and wellness scheme through Vitality
• Access to QSmiles – a discount scheme that actually makes a significant difference
• Cycle to work scheme
• A vibrant social environment and multicultural and multinational culture

But that’s not all. Outside of these standard benefits we also offer resources to allow professional growth and wellness initiatives to nurture a healthy mindset:

• Free subscription to the Calm App – the #1 app for sleep, meditation, and relaxation
• A focus on welfare which is led by our global wellness team, with mental health first aiders globally
• Access to a variety of diversity and inclusion initiatives and groups
• Strong recognition and reward programs – including a peer-to-peer recognition platform, quarterly and annual QS Applaud Awards, Connect with your Career annual PD event
• Support for volunteering and study leave
• Free subscription to LinkedIn learning – with over 5000 courses and programmes at your fingertips
• Options to join our outstanding global Mentorship programme    

Like what you’ve heard? Great, apply now!

As a candidate, we know the application and interview process can be daunting and so it’s important that you have a great experience with us. Our dedicated Talent Team will work hard to ensure you are fully informed at all stages and you are really excited by this opportunity to do meaningful work in the education space.

Equal opportunities

QS Quacquarelli Symonds is proud to be a fair and equal organisation where everyone has the same opportunity to achieve their full potential, irrespective of their background or personal attributes. We celebrate our diversity and believe through sharing our experiences we can learn from one another, be stronger together, and enable our business to thrive. 

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