Relationship Manager

Hours: 0.81 FTE (30 hours per week) to full time (37 hours per week)

Location: Byfleet office and/or Home based.

Overview of the company

Open College Network South East Region Ltd, trading as Laser Learning Awards (LASER), is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity, and was established in its own right in 2006 following the merger of several Open College Networks in the south east of England.

It is a well-established awarding organisation which has developed from its Open College Network origins into a flourishing successful business whilst remaining true to its values and charitable objects of increasing and widening participation in education and training.

LASER is regulated by Ofqual and offers qualifications and bespoke accreditation used by a wide range of organisations including further education colleges, schools, local authorities, voluntary and charitable organisations and private training providers. LASER is approved by the Security Industry Authority under its Trident Awards brand to offer security qualifications which enable successful learners to apply for licences to work within the private security industry. LASER is also an Access Validating Agency regulated by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education to validate, monitor and certificate Access to HE Diplomas.

Overview of the role

The Relationship Manager is a new role, which will focus on engagement with centres and key stakeholders to promote and support take-up of LASER’s product and service offer. It’s important to us that we have products that enable learners to reach their full potential, and we want to ensure that the relationships we build are helping us in this goal.

The Relationship Manager will have a leading role in the strategic planning and implementation of LASER relationship development and business growth and this is an excellent opportunity to help shape the direction of our growth.

The postholder will be involved in identifying potential opportunities to grow LASER’s presence in key vocational sectors, both those in which we already have a reputation and those that will be new to us. This activity will involve working with LASER’s Product team to ensure that our products (including qualifications) are fully fit for purpose and meet customer needs, through engagement with centres, employers, professional bodies and other relevant representatives in the vocational sector.

The postholder will have a prominent role in the launch and promotion of new LASER products and services, and will be key to promoting LASER, our brand, product offer and services regionally and nationally.

The creation of this role demonstrates our commitment to the importance of our relationships with an extensive range of stakeholders. As the role evolves, there will be opportunity for the postholder to influence the focus of their activities, drawing on their strengths and responding to change in the external environment.

The successful candidate will need to demonstrate their skills and experience working with external stakeholders; their understanding of the post 16 education and training landscape and policy direction; familiarity with qualification design and development; and their commitment to the values and ethos of the organisation.

The role is intended to be part time (approximately four days per week) although full time may be considered, with a competitive salary available. Flexible working options are possible, however some attendance at the LASER office in Byfleet will be required, along with further travel as necessary to meet the needs of the role.

Applications

The application will include completion of an application form, and a supporting letter which must address how your knowledge, experience and skills make you suitable for this role (see Job Description and Personal Specification below).

The closing date for applications is 5:00pm on Thursday 9 October 2025.

Please email applications to Fiona Summers, at laserhr@laser-awards.org.uk

Interviews will be held on Tuesday 28 October at our Byfleet office.