Business Development Officer - Degree Apprenticeships

Eurobioimaging; Exeter; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Exeter is seeking a Business Development Officer for the Centre for Degree Apprenticeships. The role focuses on employer engagement, business development and account management to grow degree apprenticeship recruitment across the engineering sector.

Hybrid working is available, with a mix of on-campus and home-based work. You will collaborate with the Degree Apprenticeships Partnership Manager and teams to build relationships with corporate, public sector and SME employers,

Qualifications

• Experience in employer engagement and business development.
• Strong relationship management and communication skills.
• Knowledge of apprenticeship funding and recruitment activities.

Responsibilities

• Support employer engagement and business development to achieve degree apprenticeship recruitment targets.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with employer partners.
• Provide advice and guidance to employers on degree apprenticeship opportunities and funding.
• Support account management activities to maximise employer satisfaction and long-term partnerships.

Job description

About The Role

Business Development Officer – Degree Apprenticeships

This full-time fixed-term post is available from September 2026 until October 2028.

Applications for secondment opportunities will be considered, subject to agreement from your current line manager.

Salary: The starting salary will be from from £33,951 on Grade E, based on knowledge, skills and experience

Hybrid Working: This role offers the opportunity for hybrid working, with a combination of on-campus and home-based working.

We welcome applications from candidates interested in flexible working arrangements, including part-time hours or job-sharing, where operationally feasible.

About the Role:

As a Business Development Officer within the Centre for Degree Apprenticeships, you will play a key role in supporting the University’s degree apprenticeship growth ambitions through employer engagement, business development and account management activity withing the Engineering Sector.

Working closely with the Degree Apprenticeships Partnership Manager and wider Degree Apprenticeships team, you will support the development of relationships with corporate, public sector and SME employers across a range of sectors. You will help identify new partnership opportunities, support apprenticeship recruitment activity, and ensure employers receive a high-quality service throughout their engagement with the University.

You will act as a key point of contact for employer partners, supporting them from initial enquiry through to programme implementation and ongoing account management. The role requires excellent communication and relationship management skills, alongside the ability to work collaboratively across academic and professional services teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Support employer engagement and business development activity to achieve degree apprenticeship recruitment targets.
• Develop and maintain effective relationships with employer partners.
• Provide advice and guidance to employers on degree apprenticeship opportunities and funding.
• Support account management activity to maximise employer satisfaction and long-term partnership growth.
• Work collaboratively with internal stakeholders to ensure a seamless employer experience.
• Represent the University at employer meetings, events and networking activities.

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role.

Further Information

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Peter Bragg at [e-mail]

About Us

Transform your Career and Help Shape a Greener, Healthier, and Fairer Future

We are committed to understanding different cultures and perspectives, supporting diverse leadership, and striving for social justice. We encourage applications from all groups underrepresented in our community, including racially minoritised individuals and those with disabilities. Our inclusive, merit based recruitment processes seek to embrace a diverse set of experiences to ensure colleagues feel supported equitably. With over 30,000 students and 7,000 staff from 150 countries, we foster a culture where everyone can thrive.

You can read more about our current accreditations and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here, including our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant.

Why our colleagues love working here

• Flexible working opportunities and leading parental leave initiatives
• Generous annual leave (39 - 41 days including bank holidays)
• Competitive pension contributions
• A genuine dedication to supporting the health and wellbeing of all colleagues - see initiatives here
• Sustainability and the environment being at the heart of what we do