Business Development Officer - Degree Apprenticeships

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

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Flexible working options

Generous annual leave

Job summary

University of Exeter is seeking a Business Development Officer for Degree Apprenticeships to drive employer engagement and growth across the Engineering Sector. The role works with our Degree Apprenticeships team to identify new partnership opportunities and deliver a high-quality service throughout engagement, from inquiry to programme implementation.

The post offers hybrid working between on-campus and home-based settings, with a fixed-term contract from September 2026 to October 2028.

Qualifications

• Experience in employer engagement and business development.
• Ability to manage multiple employer accounts and develop partnerships.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Support employer engagement and business development to achieve degree apprenticeship recruitment targets.
• Develop and maintain relationships with employer partners across sectors.
• Provide advice on degree apprenticeship opportunities and funding.

Skills

Employer engagement

Account management

Relationship building

Communication skills

Education

Degree-level education or equivalent

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 £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

How we can help

If you're considering applying and need support to do so, please get in touch with us at [e-mail]. You can request reasonable adjustments within your application or by contacting us. You can also choose to be considered under our Disability Confident Scheme and find out here how this is managed during our recruitment and onboarding process.