Defence Account Manager (Employer)

RNN Group; Rotherham; On-site; GBP 39,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local government pensions scheme

Up to 44 days annual leave

Gym access

Staff wellbeing programs

Wellbeing Hub

Flexible working hours

Free parking

Career development funding

STEM grants up to £6,000

Referral scheme

Job summary

RNN Group is recruiting a Defence Account Manager to champion the Defence Technology and Innovation Centre (DTEC) at Dearne Valley College, Rotherham. You will drive partnerships with defence employers, shaping curriculums and creating career pathways including apprenticeships and work placements for learners.

You will travel across South Yorkshire and beyond to build strategic alliances, promote the DTEC brand at events, and support KPI targets within the FE sector.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in stakeholder engagement, account management, or partnership working.
• Clear experience working within or alongside the FE sector.
• Experience working to and achieving KPIs and targets.
• Ability to travel across South Yorkshire and beyond.
• Level 2 Literacy/Numeracy and Level 2 in IAG (or willingness to undertake).
• Desirable: Familiarity with the British Defence Sector, Advanced Manufacturing, Digital, or Robotics.

Responsibilities

• Drive Industry Engagement: Connect with regional and national defence employers to establish the RNN Group DTEC as a sector-leading collaborative body.
• Bridge the Skills Gap: Gather real-time competency requirements from the sector and bring those insights to educators to shape curricula.
• Secure Investment: Build partnerships for financial, equipment, and in-kind contributions from defence sector partners.
• Enable Career Pipelines: Secure direct employment pipelines, work placements, and apprenticeships for adult learners.
• Represent the Brand: Attend regional and national events to promote the DTEC brand and maintain partner relationships.

Skills

Partnership Expertise

Sector Knowledge

Target-Driven Mindset

Mobility

Level 2 Literacy/Numeracy

Level 2 in IAG

Education

Level 2 Literacy & Numeracy

Level 2 Information, Advice & Guidance

Job description

Defence Account Manager (Employer)

Hours; Full time (37 hours each week, all year-round)

Duration; Temporary until 31/03/2029

Salary; £43,672 per year plus benefits

Location; Dearne Valley College, Rotherham

Apply by; 09/11/2026

About The Role

Are you a natural relationship builder with a passion for bridging the gap between industry and education? RNN Group is launching an exciting new role for a Defence Account Manager to champion our Defence Technology and Innovation Centre (DTEC) brand. Acting as our primary industry-facing officer, you will drive high-impact partnerships with defence primes, mid-tiers, and SMEs. Your mission is to capture real-time industry needs, secure vital sector investment, and forge direct career pathways—including apprenticeships and work placements that launch learners straight into critical defence sectors.

What You Will Do:

• Drive Industry Engagement: Connect with regional and national defence employers to establish the RNN Group DTEC as a sector-leading collaborative body.
• Bridge the Skills Gap: Gather real-time competency requirements from the sector and bring those insights directly back to educators to shape cutting-edge curriculums.
• Secure Investment: Build strategic partnerships that secure financial, equipment, and in-kind contributions from defence sector partners.
• Enable Career Pipelines: Work side-by-side with employers to secure direct employment pipelines, work placements, and apprenticeships for adult learners.
• Represent the Brand: Attend high-profile regional and national events to promote the DTEC brand and maintain exceptional partner relationships.

Who We Are Looking For

• Partnership Expertise: Proven experience in stakeholder engagement, account management, or partnership working.
• Sector Knowledge: Clear experience working within or alongside the Further Education (FE) sector.
• Target-Driven Mindset: Experience working to and successfully achieving quantifiable KPIs and targets.
• Mobility: The ability to travel across South Yorkshire and beyond.
• Qualifications: Level 2 Literacy/Numeracy and a Level 2 (or above) in Information, Advice & Guidance (or a willingness to undertake it).
• Desirable: Familiarity with the British Defence Sector, Advanced Manufacturing, Digital, or Robotics.

We understand that no candidate will perfectly match every qualification or criterion listed. If your experience differs from what we've outlined but you believe you can contribute to this role, we encourage you to apply!

Department Info

You will report to the Group’s DTEC Senior Lead and work as part of the DTEC Partner Team. The role will also hold clear accountabilities to the Group’s Director of Business Development and Apprenticeships to ensure cross-priority sharing of stakeholder data and avoidance of duplication of engagement activity.

Our excellent benefits and rewards package:

• Access to local government pensions scheme (with employer contributions from 15.6% to 23.68%)
• Up to 44 days annual leave per year (29) including closure during Christmas period
• Access to our gyms, restaurants and salons
• Staff health & wellbeing and benefits schemes including in-house Occupational Health service
• Extensive wellbeing support through a digital Wellbeing Hub that offers a broad range of support for physical, mental, and financial wellbeing.
• Full, part time and flexible working hours available in many roles
• Free Parking available at all of our sites
• Fantastic career development opportunities including funding for teacher training, apprenticeships and various other industry recognised qualifications
• New FE teachers can also apply for grants of up to £6,000 in STEM subjects (conditions apply) through the teacher retention initiative
• Recruitment Referral Scheme for all employees, worth £200 per referral made

What is the RNN Group?

RNN Group’s main goal is to be an ‘outstanding’ education and training provider and this is at the heart of everything that we do. To help us achieve this we are looking to recruit highly motivated, innovative and dynamic individuals to join our existing teams. To be a part of the team at RNN Group we will expect you to be committed to our values too.