Head of Business Development & Employer Engagement presso The City of Liverpool College
The City of Liverpool College · Liverpool, Regno Unito · Onsite
- Senior
- Ufficio in Liverpool
Job Title: Head of Business Development & Employer Engagement
Department: Business Development
Salary: £57,633
Job Type: Permanent
This leadership role drives the College’s employer-facing strategy, maintaining its standing as The College for Business. The post holder will manage partnerships, drive commercial income, and collaborate with (and influence) key internal and external stakeholders to ensure provision meets regional and national skills priorities. The role will lead a team aiming to deliver strong employer relationships, an innovative service, and further improve the quality of education and outcomes for students and businesses. The role will also be vital in maximising the benefits of our new Construction Academy at Liverpool Waters, ensuring the College plays a leading role in meeting the skills needs of this priority sector.
Reporting to Strategic Director Recruitment, Marketing & Admissions
Job Type: Permanent
This leadership role drives the College’s employer-facing strategy, maintaining its standing as The College for Business. The post holder will manage partnerships, drive commercial income, and collaborate with (and influence) key internal and external stakeholders to ensure provision meets regional and national skills priorities. The role will lead a team aiming to deliver strong employer relationships, an innovative service, and further improve the quality of education and outcomes for students and businesses. The role will also be vital in maximising the benefits of our new Construction Academy at Liverpool Waters, ensuring the College plays a leading role in meeting the skills needs of this priority sector.
Reporting to Strategic Director Recruitment, Marketing & Admissions
Key Responsibilities
- Formulate and drive the college’s strategy for business development and employer engagement.
- Lead and manage the Business Development and Employer Engagement team, including Sector Partnership Managers.
- Forge partnerships with employers and industry, maintaining the college’s established reputation as the 'College for Business'.
- Oversee apprenticeships and workforce training, ensuring alignment with employer demand.
- Work with Directors of Faculty and Vice Principal Curriculum Development and Innovation to align employer needs with curriculum design.
- Collaborate with the Director of Marketing and Communications to promote employer-focused initiatives.
- Represent the college on employer forums, advisory boards, and business networks.
- Ensure employer engagement aligns with regional and national skills priorities.
- Drive revenue generation from commercial contracts, training, and partnerships.
- Promote inclusive employment practices in collaboration with the Director of Diversity and Inclusion.
- Ensure all employer activities meet quality standards and comply with regulations.
- Report on performance and impact of employer engagement to senior leadership.
Professional Practice and Values
- To contribute fully to the mission and values statement of the College Group ensuring its effective implementation in all aspects of College life.
- To take a proactive approach and responsibility for personal professional development, Health & Safety, and meeting other regulatory compliance (e.g. GDPR, Safeguarding), thereby enabling safe and professional working practices to be observed at all times.
- To support cross college actives as required, particularly during key enrolment and invigilation periods.
- Carry out any other relevant and appropriate duties as determined by the needs of the service and as appropriate to the grade.
Due to the changing nature of our work, this role profile serves as a framework to outline the main areas of responsibility. You may be required to undertake other activities of a similar nature that fall within the remit of your area of work.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
Essential Criteria
- Substantial experience in employer engagement or business development, ideally in education or training.
- Knowledge of vocational training, apprenticeships, and workforce development.
- Ability to align employer partnerships with curriculum and skills priorities.
- Exceptional relationship-building and networking skills with industry.
- Strong leadership skills with experience managing teams.
- Understanding of the Liverpool City Region’s industries and economic trends.
- Proven results-driven approach with data literacy for KPIs and reporting.
- Excellent communication skills across multiple contexts.
- Forward-thinking, innovative, and adaptable to sector changes.
- Strong commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
- Degree or equivalent professional experience, with CPD in leadership or business.
- High standards of integrity, safeguarding, and compliance awareness.
Benefits
Why Join The City of Liverpool College?
As a valued member of our College community, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive range of benefits, dedicated wellbeing support, and meaningful opportunities for professional growth and development.
As a valued member of our College community, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive range of benefits, dedicated wellbeing support, and meaningful opportunities for professional growth and development.
Here are some of the benefits available to you:
Generous holiday allowance
Generous holiday allowance
40 days annual holiday allowance, plus 1 annual wellbeing day
Pension Scheme
Pension Scheme
You'll be part of the Local Government Pension Scheme, with generous employer contributions of up to 20.20%.
Employee Benefits Platform
As part of your role, you’ll have access to the COLC Employee Benefits Platform, a one-stop hub for a wide range of perks designed to support your wellbeing, work-life balance, and everyday savings. You’ll be able to access discounts at major supermarkets, fashion and lifestyle retailers, tech stores, travel providers, and more. You’ll also benefit from the Cycle to Work Scheme, cinema and leisure discounts and tech and home appliance discounts, with the option of spreading the cost through salary sacrifice. The platform is part of our commitment to supporting you in every aspect of your working life – and beyond.
Health and Wellbeing
Health and Wellbeing
As part of our commitment to supporting your health and wellbeing, all employees have access to the Health Assured Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) – a completely confidential support service available 24/7, 365 days a year. Whether you’re facing personal challenges, looking for advice, or simply need someone to talk to, Health Assured is here to help. Through Health Assured, you can access a 24/7 confidential helpline, face to face, online or telephone counselling, as well as structured support for a wide range of issues including stress, anxiety, relationships, bereavement, legal and financial concerns.
You'll also have access to the online wellbeing portal, a secure, user-friendly platform offering a wide range of self-help resources, health assessments, articles, and guidance covering emotional, physical, and financial wellbeing, and to the Wisdom App, which offers mood trackers and wellbeing tools, meditation guides, fitness videos, and self-help modules
as well as daily wellbeing tips.
You’ll also be entitled to a free eye test through our voucher scheme with Specsavers, which covers a full eye exam (worth up to £25) and even includes £45 towards a pair of glasses. We also offer free flu vaccinations to help keep you feeling your best all year round.
Travel
You'll also have access to the online wellbeing portal, a secure, user-friendly platform offering a wide range of self-help resources, health assessments, articles, and guidance covering emotional, physical, and financial wellbeing, and to the Wisdom App, which offers mood trackers and wellbeing tools, meditation guides, fitness videos, and self-help modules
as well as daily wellbeing tips.
You’ll also be entitled to a free eye test through our voucher scheme with Specsavers, which covers a full eye exam (worth up to £25) and even includes £45 towards a pair of glasses. We also offer free flu vaccinations to help keep you feeling your best all year round.
Travel
We offer interest-free loans to help you buy annual travel passes from Merseytravel and Merseyrail. That means you can enjoy the savings of up to two months' free travel—without having to cover the full cost upfront. It’s all about making your commute more affordable and less stressful.
Flexible Working
We offer flexible working options depending on business need to support our employee's work-life balance.
Professional Development
We’re passionate about helping you thrive, offering a mix of formal and informal professional development opportunities—designed to sharpen your skills, expand your knowledge, and accelerate your career.
College Benefits
Our excellent sports and fitness facilities can be used free of charge by staff. You can also access a range of discounted hair and beauty treatments at our Academy and Graduate Hair & Beauty Salons, and a staff discount at our Academy Restaurant.
