Business Development Officer

Lancashire; Preston; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Attractive annual leave

Employee benefits platform

Job summary

The University of Lancashire is seeking a proactive Business Development Officer to build productive relationships with business owners, managers and community groups.

You will promote opportunities such as Degree Apprenticeships, Continual Professional Development courses, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, research and consultancy offerings, and other workforce development initiatives to boost the region’s competitive capability.

Qualifications

• Significant recent experience in business and employer development.
• A degree-level qualification or equivalent experiential learning.
• Experience developing and implementing new processes, alongside strong data management and data-processing skills.
• Excellent organisational abilities, with a proven track record of working under pressure, managing competing priorities and meeting deadlines consistently.

Responsibilities

• Build strong, productive relationships with business owners, managers and community groups.
• Promote opportunities including Degree Apprenticeships, Continual Professional Development courses, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs), Research and Consultancy opportunities and other workforce development initiatives.
• Contribute to strengthening the region’s competitive capability through workforce development initiatives.
• Work in a fast-moving environment with flexibility and proactive mindset.

Skills

Communication

Negotiation

Relationship-building

Education

Degree-level qualification

Job description

When you work for the University of Lancashire, you’ll be part of a thriving community of talent that’s united in a common commitment to transform lives. We do this by delivering an outstanding educational experience and creating prosperity and opportunity in the communities we serve. Whatever your role, you’ll be playing a vital part in helping us achieve our vision.

About the Role

The University of Lancashire is committed to supporting and enhancing the economic and social wellbeing of our communities and local businesses through education, training and collaborative innovation.

As a Business Development Officer, you will play a crucial role in building strong, productive relationships with business owners, managers and community groups. You will promote a range of opportunities including Degree Apprenticeships, Continual Professional Development courses, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs), Research and Consultancy opportunities and other workforce development initiatives that help strengthen the region’s competitive capability.

Our work is varied and often fast-moving, so flexibility and a proactive mindset are important.

About You

We are seeking a team player with excellent communication, negotiation and relationship-building skills. You will be confident contributing to shared goals, exercising sound judgement and using your initiative while being able to work independently when required.

You will have:

• Significant recent experience in business and employer development.
• A degree-level qualification or equivalent experiential learning.
• Experience developing and implementing new processes, alongside strong data management and data-processing skills.
• Excellent organisational abilities, with a proven track record of working under pressure, managing competing priorities and meeting deadlines consistently.

Applicants must meet all essential criteria listed in the person specification to be considered for interview.

Use of AI in applications:

We want to understand your genuine interest in the role and artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application. However, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience and the written elements of your application should accurately reflect your own communication style. Applications that rely too heavily on AI tools can appear generic and lack the detail we need to assess your skills and experience.

What we can offer you:

We have a fantastic package of rewards and lifestyle benefits – from an attractive annual leave entitlement to access to a comprehensive employee benefits platform which includes a 24/7 online GP.

Our people are our most important asset. We’ll encourage you to make the most of your talents and continually develop your skills and knowledge. As well as realising your career ambitions, you’ll be making a positive difference to other people’s lives.

About us:

We are proud to be a diverse, multicultural university. We are committed to building a truly inclusive culture where diversity is championed. Applications are particularly welcomed from individuals who will support the diversification within the University and support its development of a culture that is inclusive and welcoming to all.

The University is committed to providing a safe environment to study, work and visit, protecting children, young people and adults at risk from harm and abuse. Our safeguarding policy and safer recruitment procedure outlines our approach, alongside other internal policies, procedures and guidance which can be found on our Safeguarding page.

Applicants applying for roles in regulated activity and that are listed as an exception under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 will be required to disclose any spent and unspent convictions and undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check at the appropriate level, the University will only ask an applicant to make an application for a DBS check if they are legally entitled to.