Commercial Partnership Manager

About Saint Kentigern: 

At Saint Kentigern, we offer a unique educational experience – a learning journey that begins in Preschool and continues through to college. For more than seven decades, we’ve inspired students to strive for excellence while staying true to our core values: respect, integrity, service, excellence, and love. We believe in the power of young people to make a positive contribution to the world, and we know that educational excellence flourishes when it’s supported by strong partnerships with business, community, and alumni.

  
The role:
We are seeking an experienced and commercially astute Commercial Partnership Manager to drive growth through strategic, high-value partnerships that align with our mission and values.
This role is ideal for someone who combines commercial acumen with the emotional intelligence and diplomacy to operate effectively within an independent school environment. You’ll bring a strategic mindset, a strong network, and the ability to translate corporate value creation into community and educational outcomes.
We offer a flexible part-time arrangement of 20 hours per week, enabling you to integrate the role seamlessly with your current employment and everyday responsibilities.

Key duties and responsibilities:

• Develop and implement an organization-wide partnership and sponsorship strategy that supports sustainable revenue growth, brand alignment, and mutual benefit.
• Identify, secure, and manage strategic commercial partnerships and sponsorships across key sectors such as technology, finance, property, automotive, and professional services.
• Negotiate and structure partnership/sponsorship agreements that balance commercial outcomes with the organisation’s values and community expectations.
• Manage the full partnership/sponsorship lifecycle – from research and engagement through to onboarding, activation, measurement, and renewal.
• Develop compelling proposals, presentations, and impact reports to communicate value and outcomes to internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with marketing, operations, and finance teams to activate partnerships effectively and ensure alignment with broader organisation objectives.
• Represent the organisation at events, networking functions, and partnership activations, building long-term relationships that enhance our reputation and reach.
• Create, monitor and report on success metrics, ensuring continuous improvement and clear visibility of partnership/sponsorship performance.

About You  

• Proven success in business development, partnerships, sponsorship or account management, ideally in a commercial sponsorship, or education- related environment.
• Strong strategic thinking and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage confidently across corporate, community, and educational settings.
• Skilled in negotiation, stakeholder engagement, and contract management.
• Highly organised, outcome-focused, and able to manage multiple priorities with professionalism and discretion.
• Comfortable navigating the nuances of a values-based, independent school environment, aligning commercial goals with educational purpose.
• Proficiency with and Microsoft Office tools.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, or a related discipline.
• Graduates and friends of Saint Kentigern are encouraged to apply.

  
Why Join Us

•  Be part of a respected and forward-thinking independent school with a strong sense of purpose.
• Work in a collaborative environment where your commercial skills will directly support educational outcomes.
• Build enduring partnerships that create real impact for students, families, and the wider community.

    
What we offer:
 

• Competitive remuneration
• Subsidised Southern Cross healthcare
• Fees discount
• Access to gym
• Free on-site car parking
• Up to 4% KiwiSaver contribution
• Staff wellbeing programme

  
How to apply:
  
Saint Kentigern invites candidates, that meet the above criteria, to submit their application online using the vacancy link provided.
  
Applications close 25 September 2026
  
For more information about Saint Kentigern, please visit www.saintkentigern.com.