Employer Engagement & Business Development Manager

About the role

The position is a 12‑month fixed‑term role based in Birmingham, focused on building and managing employer partnerships for a leading not‑for‑profit employability organisation. You will work autonomously across the West Midlands, linking businesses with programme participants to create sustainable job, work‑trial and apprenticeship opportunities.

Key responsibilities

• Identify, approach and nurture relationships with employers across a wide range of sectors in Birmingham and the wider West Midlands.
• Generate job placements, interview opportunities, work‑trials and apprenticeships for participants in multiple employability and skills programmes.
• Consult with businesses to understand their recruitment needs and align them with the skillsets of programme participants.
• Maintain and expand existing warm employer contacts while developing new strategic partnerships.
• Collaborate with internal programme teams to ensure delivery of recruitment solutions that meet both employer and participant goals.

Required profile

• Confident, consultative business development professional with a proven track record in networking and relationship management.
• Strong understanding of the employability, skills and apprenticeship landscape.
• Ability to work independently, manage a varied workload and travel regularly across the region.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.

Required skills

• Experience in employer engagement and partnership development.
• Knowledge of recruitment processes and talent matching.

What we offer

• Hybrid working model with flexible, autonomous schedule.
• Opportunity to make a genuine social impact through employer partnerships.
• Travel expenses reimbursed and mileage covered.
• Ongoing training, professional development and a supportive team environment.
• Potential for contract extension or redeployment onto future funded programmes.