Defence Account Manager (Employer) (SRF002984)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Local government pensions scheme with

Up to 44 days annual leave

Gym access, restaurants and salons

Staff health and wellbeing programmes

Wellbeing digital hub

Flexible working hours

Free parking at sites

Career development funding (teacher/ap

STEM subject grants up to £6,000

Referral scheme (£200 per referral)

Job summary

RNN Group is seeking a Defence Account Manager to champion the Defence Technology and Innovation Centre (DTEC). You will lead partnerships with defence primes, mid‑tiers and SMEs, capturing real‑time industry needs and forging career pathways including apprenticeships and work placements for learners in critical defence sectors.

You will drive regional and national industry engagement, secure investments, and shape curricula with educators while representing the DTEC brand at events and building

Qualifications

• Proven ability to manage partnerships and stakeholder relationships.
• Experience working with FE sector environments.
• Ability to meet KPIs and targets in a funded education setting.

Responsibilities

• Drive Industry Engagement with defence employers to position DTEC as a leading partner.
• Capture sector needs and feed educators to shape curricula.
• Secure financial, equipment and in-kind contributions from defence partners.
• Create direct career pathways: apprenticeships and work placements for adult learners.
• Represent the brand at regional and national events to maintain strong partnerships.

Skills

Partnership management

Stakeholder engagement

FE sector experience

Travel willingness

IAG Level 2+

Education

Level 2 Literacy/Numeracy

Level 2 IAG (or willing to undertake)

Job description

Defence Account Manager (Employer)

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

Temporary until 31/03/2029

Salary; £43,672 per year plus benefits

Location: Dearne Valley College, Rotherham

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

To get this role up and running rapidly, you must bring:

• 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;

• We are Inclusive,
• We have Integrity,
• We Deliver,
• We are One Team.

We celebrate diversity and are proud to be recognised as Investors in Diversity for our commitment to the FREDIE (Fairness, Respect, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Engagement) model, fostering a supportive environment for all. We welcome applications from everyone regardless of background, proudly participating in the Disability Confident Scheme, and provide reasonable adjustments.

The RNN Group is proud to be part of the South Yorkshire Institute of Technology (SYIoT).

As a newly designated Defence Technical Excellence College, RNN Group is proud to support the UK’s defence sector by developing the next generation of highly skilled technical talent.

RNN Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), all appointments are subject to rigorous safer recruitment checks. Successful candidates will undergo pre‑employment screening, including an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (with Barred List check where applicable), online background checks, satisfactory references, and verification of identity, qualifications, and right to work in the UK.

The Group's core operating hours are 8.30am-5.00pm (9pm on a Tuesday and Thursday during term time). You may be expected to work at any time during these hours to ensure business needs are met.

All candidates must have the legal right to work in the UK.

Closing date: Monday 9th November 2026 - if you are shortlisted for this post, you will be contacted within a week of the closing date.