Employability Engagement Leader

The Manchester College; Manchester; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading further education institution in Manchester seeks an Employability Engagement Leader to enhance student employability and establish strong industry partnerships. The successful candidate will need significant experience in employer engagement and team leadership. The role offers competitive benefits, including a Local Government Pension Scheme, and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

35 days paid annual leave plus 8 bank holidays

Significant pension contribution

Retail discounts

Employee Assistance Program

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• At least a GSCE or level 2 in literacy or numeracy (or equivalent).
• Experience of employer engagement, involving networking and relationship management skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and on own initiative.
• Experience of engaging with employers at operational levels.
• Experience of delivering education or employability sessions.
• Experience of working on a 1-2-1 basis with participants.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Responsibilities

• Oversee team performance and ensure high-quality work experience.
• Link the College with industry and drive employability initiatives.
• Support students in gaining technical skills required by employers.
• Develop long-term partnerships with employers and stakeholders.

Skills

Employer engagement

Relationship management

Networking

Negotiating

Soft skills programming

Communication

Education

GSCE or level 2 in literacy or numeracy

Tools

Microsoft Office

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 REQ011602 Date posted 22/08/2025 Application closing date 19/09/2025 Location Manchester Salary £25,828.64 - £36,000 per annum Package Competitive Benefits plus Local Government Pension Scheme Contractual hours 35 Basis Full time Job category/type Business Development Attachments Employability Engagement Leader.pdf Job description

We are seeking a skilled and experienced people manager to step in to the role of work experience Employer, 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.

This is a permanent, full-time (35 hours per week) role.

Successfully candidate must have access to a car for work and full driving licence.

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 16-19yrs olds, adults, and higher education in Greater Manchester. We are part of the LTE group that consist 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 1000 industry and employer partners nationally to ensure our students secure their place as the leaders of the future.

Benefits

• 35 days paid annual leave 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 GSCE or level 2 in literacy or 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 programs.
• A willingness to undertake continuous personal development.

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.

The closing date for this job advert is 19/09/2025. However, sometimes the job advert may close early if we receive a good response!