Employability Engagement Leader

The Manchester College; Manchester; On-site; GBP 28,000 - GBP 37,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading further education college in Manchester seeks an Employability Engagement Leader to enhance student employability through industry partnerships. This full-time role involves managing a team, developing strong employer relationships, and delivering targeted employability programs. Ideal candidates will have experience in employer engagement, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to supporting students in securing valuable work experiences. Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits included.

Benefits

35 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays

3 well-being days per year

Significant pension contribution

Employee Assistance Program

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Experience engaging with employers at operational levels.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Experience in delivering employability-focused programs.

Responsibilities

• Oversee team performance and compliance of work experience.
• Develop and maintain relationships with employers.
• Support students to gain technical skills relevant to employers.

Skills

GCSE or level 2 in literacy and numeracy

Employer engagement experience

Relationship management skills

Ability to work under pressure

MS Office proficiency

Self-motivated and organized

Education

GCSE in literacy and numeracy or equivalent

Job description

The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.

Job details

Job title: Employability Engagement Leader
Job reference: REQ011914
Date posted: 17/12/2025
Application closing date: 23/02/2026
Location: Manchester
Salary: £28,373 – £36,500 per annum
Package: Competitive
Benefits plus: Local Government Pension Scheme
Contractual hours: 35
Basis: Full time
Job category/type: Careers – Employability and Guidance

Attachments: Employability Engagement Leader.pdf

We are seeking a skilled and experienced people manager to step in to the role of work experience Employability Engagement Leader. This team leader position requires strong business development experience, particularly within an educational setting, as well as a proven track record of managing and leading business development teams and working well with curriculum teams. You will be instrumental in overseeing and co‑ordinating team performance and compliance of high‑quality work experience and industry placements, linking the College with industry, driving employability initiatives, and fostering long‑term partnerships with employers, stakeholders, curriculum teams and educational partners.

As a team leader, you will lead your team, working closely with curriculum teams, and support students to gain technical skills and experiences required by today's employers, whilst also supporting the growth of our industry partnerships. Your leadership will ensure The Manchester College remains at the forefront of technical skills development and industry engagement, offering students real‑world opportunities and enhancing their employability outcomes.

We have an exciting opportunity to join our Employability, Partnership and Skills Department as an Employability Engagement Leader on a permanent, full‑time (35 hours per week) basis.

You will be based at our City Campus Manchester; however, you will be required to work across all campuses.

Site Information

Our City Centre campus is a flagship site in the heart of Manchester, offering cutting‑edge facilities and a buzzing, creative atmosphere. Home to our Centre of Excellence for Creative and Digital Industries, it provides an inspiring setting for both staff and learners, with specialist studios, workshops, and collaborative spaces. With its central location and strong industry links, the campus is a hub for innovation, talent development, and real‑world learning.

Who are TMC?

The Manchester College is the Largest Further Education College in the United Kingdom and has the largest provisions for 16‑19‑year‑olds, adults, and higher education in Greater Manchester. We are part of the LTE group that consists of MOL, Total People, UCEN Manchester, Novus, and LTE Group Operations. We currently support more than 25% of Greater Manchester’s learning provision and are currently rated “Good” by Ofsted. The Manchester Colleges offering is bolstered by 18 Centres of Excellence across our campuses, ensuring we give our best and strive to achieve an unrivalled learning experience for our students. We have partnerships with over 1,000 industry and employer partners nationally to ensure our students secure their place as the leaders of the future.

Proudly, The Manchester College is also 1 of only 57 organisations nationally recognised with the Princess Royal Training Award 2025, demonstrating our commitment to investing in our people and their development.

Benefits

• 35 days annual leave bookable plus 8 bank holidays.
• 3 well‑being days per year.
• Significant pension contribution.
• Retail discounts.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Cycle to work scheme.

Role Responsibilities

Please see the attached role profile for an overview of general role responsibilities.

Skills, Qualifications and Experience

To be successful in this role, you will need:

• At least a GCSE or level 2 in literacy and numeracy (or equivalent).
• Experience of employer engagement, involving but not limited to networking, cold calling, negotiating and relationship management skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and on own initiative.
• Experience of engaging with employers at operational levels, particularly in relation to employer engagement.
• Experience of delivering qualifications, education or employability sessions.
• Experience of delivering group work sessions as well as working on a 1‑2‑1 basis with participants.
• Experience of developing external relationships with employer and other agencies.
• Experience of utilising computerised management information systems.
• Experience of working to targets, implementing monitoring and recording systems.
• Experience of delivering programmes that are focused on soft skills, mentoring and employability.
• Liaison and networking – experience of circulating information in an accurate and timely manner, working across team boundaries to build and strengthen working relationships.
• The ability to organise and to be self‑motivated.
• The ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing and to be fully competent in the use of Microsoft Office programmes.
• A willingness to undertake continuous personal development.
• Successfully candidate must have access to a car for work and full driving licence.

Safeguarding

The LTE Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All applicants will be required to undergo an appropriate DBS check via the Criminal Records Bureau and may be subject to additional online checks as part of our pre‑screening process. Some roles are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and would require an Enhanced DBS check.

Equal Opportunities Statement

At The Manchester College, we’re committed to providing an environment free from discrimination, bullying, harassment, or victimisation, where all members of our community are treated with respect and dignity. The Manchester College is committed to working in an inclusive way with all the communities where we are geographically located and to developing a workforce and student community that reflects Greater Manchester’s and the UK’s rich diversity and vibrancy.

Closing Information

The closing date for this job advert is 23/02/2026. However, sometimes the job advert may close early if we receive a good response!