Director of Business and Employer Engagement

Bluetownonline; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university in Birmingham is seeking a Director of Business and Employer Engagement to develop strategic partnerships and enhance employability for students. This transformative role involves leading initiatives that strengthen employer relationships and drive innovation within the university's engagement strategies. The ideal candidate will possess significant experience in higher education and proven leadership skills.

Benefits

Generous annual leave (29 days)

Excellent Local Government Pension Scheme

Subsidised private healthcare

Employee Assistance Programme

Annual health MOTs

Professional qualification sponsorship

Salary sacrifice schemes

Heavily-subsidised on-site car parking

Hybrid working opportunities

Free on-site gym membership

Qualifications

• Proven experience in developing and managing high-value strategic partnerships with employers.
• Experience leading teams to success.
• Knowledge of commercial outcomes in higher education.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement an employer engagement strategy.
• Build and maintain relationships with employers and regional partners.
• Lead a high-performing team in delivering engagement activities.

Skills

Strategic Leadership

Partnership Development

Team Leadership

Employer Engagement

Education

Experience in Higher Education settings

Job description

Job Title: Director of Business and Employer Engagement

Location: Birmingham

Salary: Circa £75,000

Job type: Permanent, Full-time

The University is unlike any other. Standing proud in the heart of the city of Birmingham, they have been delivering career-focused education and training for decades. With around 8000 students across FE and HE level provision, the University is highly respected by employers and industry in meeting the region's skills needs.

The University's mission is to promote and provide the opportunity for participation in the learning process by those with the ambition and commitment to succeed and to maintain a learning community that meets the diverse needs of our students, the economy and society at large.

The Role:

The University is seeking an exceptional and strategic leader to join our senior team as Director of Business and Employer Engagement. This is a transformative role, central to delivering our institutional ambitions around employability, commercial training, and impactful industry collaboration. You will shape and lead a university-wide strategy that strengthens our partnerships with employers, enhances student outcomes, and drives innovation in business engagement.

In this role, you will:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive employer engagement strategy aligned with University goals.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with employers, industry bodies, and regional economic partners.
• Identify and pursue opportunities for collaboration, funding, and workforce development initiatives.
• Lead a high-performing team to deliver impactful employer engagement activities and services.
• Represent the University at key events, forums, and stakeholder meetings.

You will have proven experience in developing and managing high-value strategic partnerships with employers from a range of sectors, that deliver commercial outcomes, within a Higher Education setting and leading teams through to success.

Benefits:

• Generous allocation of annual leave
  • 29 days' paid leave per year
  • 12 Bank Holidays & Concessionary Days
• Excellent Local Government Pension Scheme
  • Employer Contributions - 20.9%
• Subsidised private healthcare provided by Aviva including a Digital GP Service.
• Employee Assistance Programme inclusive of counselling services, financial wellbeing support and bereavement support
• Annual health MOTs with our Registered Nurse
• Excellent staff development opportunities including professional qualification sponsorship
• A variety of salary sacrifice schemes including technology and cycle.
• Heavily-subsidised on-site car parking in central Birmingham
• Hybrid working opportunities
• Free on-site gym membership

Extra Information:

All applicants for employment at the University will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of the principles of Safeguarding and the PREVENT agenda in the context of further and higher education.

Closing Date - TBC.

Interview Date - TBC.

The University is an equal opportunities employer.

Please click APPLY to be redirected to our website to complete an application form.

Candidates with experience or relevant job titles of; Director of Business, University Director, Director of University, Director of Employer Engagement, may also be considered for this role.