ThinkEurope

Madrid - Programme & Partnerships Manager

Job Description

About ThinkEurope

Website: https://thinkeurope.co | Powered by Think Pacific since 2009. www.thinkpacific.com

European Mobility, Made Possible.

We are building ThinkEurope - a specialist provider of international education and mobility programmes across Europe. Powered by Think Pacific, we design and deliver high-quality Erasmus+, Turing Scheme and bespoke international mobility experiences for colleges, schools and universities.

Our programmes connect education with industry, culture, sustainability and future skills, enabling students to gain meaningful international experiences that develop confidence, employability and integral citizenship.

From initial programme design through to delivery and evaluation, we provide institutions with a complete end-to-end service, working alongside trusted local partners to create impactful and professionally managed educational experiences.

As ThinkEurope launches its first programmes in Madrid in January 2027, we are looking for an enthusiastic and experienced people and Project Manager to help establish and grow our network of partner organisations across Spain and support future expansion throughout Europe.

The Role:

Title: Madrid - Programme & Partnerships Manager

Department: ThinkEurope (contracted to Think Pacific Limited)

Start Date: October 2026

End date: 31st July 2027

Location: Madrid, Spain (Hybrid)

- Hybrid role based in Madrid, with regular travel to meet with partners, vendors and student groups as required
- Structured days working with the team from coworking locations

Contract: Fixed Term

Salary: €27,000 - €34,000 per annum (based on experience)

Overview:

We are looking for a Madrid-based Programme & Partnerships Manager to build and lead our first ThinkEurope delivery hub. From October 2026, you will develop relationships with businesses, community organisations, educational partners and suppliers; turn college requirements into engaging 14-day programmes; and put the people, bookings and systems in place for launch. From January 2027, you will manage the Madrid team and oversee safe, high-quality delivery for successive groups of UK further education students.

As ThinkEurope continues to expand across Spain, this role will become increasingly important in supporting regional operations, strengthening our local partnerships and helping to establish future programme delivery hubs across the country. An extension for the contract to be extended will be negotiated at least 3 months before the end date.

Key Responsibilities:

Partnership Management

Lead partnership development and nurture local partnerships with partners, suppliers and stakeholders in Madrid in the following areas:

- Managing relationships with accommodation providers, activity partners and community organisations.
- Sourcing and maintaining vocation specific partnerships tailored to each college and group across a wide range of curriculum fields
- Sourcing general activities and cultural events to be included in all student group itineraries
- Local vendors & suppliers as required

Programme & Operational Management

Lead all operational delivery of ThinkEurope programmes in Madrid by:

- Managing the delivery of multiple student groups throughout the programme season.
- Leading 400+ students between January and August annually, as well as bespoke programmes in September - December.
- Coordinating and overseeing the booking of group accommodation, transport, activities and daily programme logistics.
- Managing programme schedules and operational planning.
- Ensuring safeguarding,



health & safety and risk management procedures are implemented at all times.
- Acting as the senior operational lead during programme delivery.
- Responding confidently to incidents, emergencies and welfare concerns.
- Maintaining programme budgets and monitoring operational expenditure.
- Ensuring consistently high programme quality and participant satisfaction.
- Producing operational reports and continuous improvement recommendations.
- Maintaining regular communication with the UK team and senior management via meetings and check ins.

Team Leadership & People Management

Lead and develop the Madrid delivery team by:

- Supporting the UK and Global team with recruitment of staff members as required.
- Training and onboarding new team members.
- Managing staff rotas and operational schedules.
- Providing day-to-day leadership and support.
- Conducting performance reviews and regular check-ins.
- Creating a positive, collaborative team culture.
- Supporting staff wellbeing and professional development.
- Ensuring all staff understand ThinkEurope's values, safeguarding procedures and operational standards.

Regional Development

You may be required to support the continued growth of ThinkEurope by:

- Identifying opportunities to improve existing programmes.
- Supporting the development of new educational experiences.
- Assisting with expansion into additional destinations across Spain.
- Conducting occasional site visits to future programme locations.
- Representing ThinkEurope professionally at meetings and networking events.

Emergency Response & Duty Management

As the senior operational lead for the Madrid Hub, you will play a key role in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of students, staff and partners throughout programme delivery.

During programme delivery periods (primarily January to July), you will participate in a duty management rota and will be required to carry the ThinkEurope emergency phone during designated periods. While on duty, you will act as the first point of contact for operational incidents and emergencies, providing advice, coordination and support to students, staff, educational partners and local organisations.

Responsibilities include:

- Participating in a scheduled 24/7 duty management rota during programme delivery periods.
- Managing the ThinkEurope emergency phone during assigned on-call periods.
- Providing immediate advice and operational support for incidents and emergencies.
- Coordinating responses to medical, welfare and safeguarding concerns.
- Supporting students and accompanying staff in accessing appropriate medical treatment, emergency services or other local support when required.
- Liaising with hospitals, clinics, emergency services, accommodation providers and local partners.
- Escalating serious incidents to theUK Senior Management in line with organisational procedures.
- Maintaining accurate incident records and completing follow-up reports.
- Supporting post-incident reviews and contributing to continuous improvements in operational risk management.

The successful candidate should be comfortable making informed decisions under pressure,



remain calm during emergencies and be able to communicate effectively with a range of stakeholders while prioritising participant safety and wellbeing.

Candidate Profile:

We are looking for an experienced operational leader who enjoys managing people, solving problems and delivering exceptional educational experiences.

You will be confident leading teams in fast-paced environments, making operational decisions and ensuring programmes run safely, smoothly and professionally.

You thrive under pressure, remain calm during unexpected situations and enjoy balancing strategic planning with hands-on operational delivery.

You'll thrive in this role if you:

- Build positive relationships with staff, partners and clients.
- Enjoy leading and developing high-performing teams.
- Have excellent organisational and project management skills.
- Can confidently make decisions in dynamic environments.
- Are proactive, adaptable and solutions-focused.
- Have strong safeguarding awareness and student welfare experience.
- Enjoy working in multicultural environments.
- Are passionate about education, travel and international mobility.

As one of ThinkEurope's first Hub Managers, you will play a key leadership role in establishing our European operations.

This role offers significant opportunities for progression. As ThinkEurope expands into additional cities across Spain, we anticipate developing multiple operational hubs with dedicated management teams.

Essential Experience

- Fluent Spanish and professional working English, both spoken and written.
- Proven ability to establish and maintain partnerships with businesses, community organisations, education providers or suppliers.
- Experience designing programmes, itineraries or projects around a client’s objectives.
- Experience with Erasmus+, Turing Scheme or other international student mobility programmes.
- Strong planning skills, including coordinating several partners, bookings and deadlines at once.
- Ability to prepare budgets, compare supplier proposals, negotiate costs and monitor spending.
- Experience supervising staff or leading a delivery team.
- Calm, practical decision-making when plans change or an incident occurs.
- Clear communication with young people, college staff, local partners and remote colleagues.
- Confidence working independently in Madrid and reporting progress to a UK-based manager.

Desirable Skills

- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong networking and relationship-building ability.
- Professional presentation skills.
- Highly organised with excellent attention to detail.
- Comfortable working remotely and independently.
- Strong problem-solving skills.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.
- Willingness to travel regularly throughout Spain.

Why Join ThinkEurope?

This is an opportunity to become one of the founding operational leaders of ThinkEurope.

You will:

- Lead the launch of our first European mobility hub.
- Manage the delivery of programmes for more than 420 students in 2027.
- Recruit and lead a growing local operations team.
- Help shape operational systems and standards from the outset.
- Work with a supportive international leadership team.
- Travel across Spain while developing new programme locations.
- Influence the future growth of ThinkEurope across Europe.

As our programmes expand, successful Managers will be well positioned to progress into regional and senior leadership roles, supporting multiple destinations and helping shape ThinkEurope's long-term European strategy.

Sueldo: 27.000,00€-34.000,00€ al año

Ubicación del trabajo: Teletrabajo híbrido en Madrid, Madrid provincia (Madrid)

📌 Programme & Partnerships Manager (Madrid)
🏢 Think Pacific
📍 Madrid