Head of Partnerships
Flexible hybrid working, with a minimum of two days each week in our North London office • £51,840 (plus £1500 London Weighting, if applicable) • Permanent
Applications Close October 19, 2026
We are Nordoff and Robbins
Nordoff and Robbins is the UK’s largest music therapy charity, with more than 60 years’ experience using music to support people affected by illness, disability, trauma, isolation, social exclusion and mental health challenges.
Music therapy is a clinically recognised, HCPC-regulated allied health profession. Through music-making within a therapeutic relationship, it helps people to communicate and be more expressive, build confidence, connect with others and improve health and wellbeing.
We provide therapy through our own centres and in partnership with schools, hospitals, care homes, hospices and community organisations across England, Scotland and Wales. We also train music therapists through our accredited Master’s and PhD programmes and invest in research to strengthen the impact of our work.
Using the Nordoff Robbins approach, which is practised worldwide, our work is person-centred, collaborative, flexible and strength based. Everyone who could benefit from music therapy deserves access to it because music has the power to transform lives.
Our culture
At Nordoff and Robbins, everyone has a role to play in building and nurturing our inclusive culture. You will be encouraged to be yourself, contribute your perspective and work with colleagues who put the people we exist to serve at the centre of what we do. We work collaboratively, with integrity and kindness, and want everyone to feel a genuine sense of belonging.
Could this be the place for you?
If you are an ambitious, values-led partnerships leader who combines strategic thinking with exceptional relationship-building and commercial judgement, this could be your next role. You will be confident in engaging senior decision-makers across businesses, brands, the music industry, and other strategic organisations; skilled at creating compelling propositions and negotiating high-value agreements; and motivated by the opportunity to build collaborations that deliver both income and impact. You will bring energy, creativity, accountability, and a commitment to outstanding partner experiences as you grow a strong, sustainable portfolio and enjoy reaching targets to ensure year on year growth
What we need
About the role
As our Head of Partnerships, you will play a pivotal role in delivering sustainable income growth and advancing our long-term ambitions. Reporting to the Director of Fundraising, you will shape and deliver our corporate partnership strategy, leading the acquisition, retention, and growth of high-value relationships with businesses, brands, sponsors, music industry organisations and other commercial stakeholders.
You will develop and manage a diverse portfolio and a robust pipeline of prospective partners across the corporate, music, entertainment, technology and media sectors. By understanding partners’ commercial objectives, ESG priorities and brand values, you will create tailored propositions, sponsorship packages and innovative opportunities that generate significant income, deepen engagement and deliver long-term, mutually beneficial value.
Working across fundraising, events, marketing, communications and service delivery, you will develop integrated campaigns and exceptional partner experiences, from employee engagement and project visits to hospitality, showcases and high-profile events. You will lead negotiations and stewardship, provide clear income forecasts and pipeline reporting, and ensure partnership activity meets regulatory, contractual, data protection and organisational standards. You will also lead, motivate and develop two Partnerships Managers, while working with the Director of Fundraising, CEO, senior leaders and trustees to open doors and strengthen influential relationships.
What we offer
The three best things about the job (in our humble opinion)
- You will shape and lead a high-value partnerships programme at an important point in the charity’s journey, securing ambitious, multi-year collaborations and sponsorships that deliver increased and meaningful income, reach, and impact.
- You will be working with influential businesses, brands and leaders across the music and entertainment industries, creating imaginative opportunities that connect their ambitions with the transformative power of music.
- You will lead and develop two Partnerships Managers and collaborate closely with our Director of Fundraising, CEO, senior leaders and trustees to build networks, open doors and establish long-term strategic investment.
A salary of £51,840 plus £1,500 London Weighting (where applicable) total £53,340 pa
Flexible hybrid working, with a minimum of two days each week in our North London office.
Enhanced maternity/paternity/parental leave, enhanced sick leave, Pension Sheme and generous 31 days annual leave plus bank holidays
Salary sacrifice benefits including cycle to work
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
An inclusive culture where you can feel a sense of belonging — and lots of music!
We have a firm set of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (EDIB) principles and values that we all commit to:
1: ACCESSIBLE TO ALL
Understanding the / Removing any barriers (including barriers in communication methods) to becoming a client, colleague, trustee, student, volunteer, supporter doner or any user/contributor to the services of Nordoff and Robbins.
2: PROVIDING EQUITY OF OPPORTUNITY
Giving everyone the right tools and access for salary, promotions, roles, responsibilities, learning, development, and access to a Music Therapist for those at most need.
3: DIVERSE ENGAGEMENT
Reaching our audiences in a multitude of ways including by having conversations with them, and meeting them where they are – be that through services, communications, events, research, resources etc.
4: BE FREE FROM DISCRIMINATION
To ensure we have fair practices, and allow people to speak out, question and challenge language, actions and behaviours of Nordoff and Robbins as an organisation and those who represent it and to provide channels for them to do so safely.
5: BE VIGILENT, PROACTIVE AND RESPONSIVE
To instil a culture of continual listening, evolving, and learning from people including our clients, their families and our colleagues and students.