Head of Business Engagement and Growth

Salary is between £47,972 and £62,099 per annum DOE and Qualifications, 35 days annual leave plus Bank holidays, Local Government Pension Scheme, Retail and Leisure Discounts, excellent professional and personal development opportunities, accessing college courses.

37 hours per week / 52 weeks per year

Full time, permanent

This is a UK based contract, and you are required to have the Right to Work in the UK. Unfortunately, we’re unable to offer sponsorship and any offer of employment will be subject to evidence of your Right to Work in the UK.

We are currently seeking a Head of Business Engagement and Growth to join our Employer Partnerships and Business Engagement department at The Bedford College Group.

As a Head of Business Engagement and Growth, you play an important role in the success of our students through:

• Strategic Business Development - Lead and implement an ambitious business development strategy to grow apprenticeships, commercial income, work placements and employer partnerships in line with Group priorities.
• Employer Engagement & Skills Development - Build strong relationships with employers and stakeholders, using labour market intelligence and employer feedback to identify skills needs and ensure provision responds to local, regional and national priorities.
• Commercial Growth & Opportunities - Identify and secure new business, funding, bids and tender opportunities, while strengthening the Group’s position as a leading provider of skills, training and workforce development solutions.
• Team Leadership & Performance - Lead and develop the Business Engagement team, setting clear objectives and targets, managing performance and supporting recruitment, development and succession planning to achieve strong results.
• Financial, Quality & College Responsibilities - Manage budgets, forecasts, CRM pipelines, KPIs and employer satisfaction, ensuring compliance with funding and organisational requirements while supporting safeguarding, EDI, health and safety, College events and continuous professional development.

• Qualifications & Professional Development - Level 5 or above qualification in Business Management, Leadership or a related discipline, or equivalent relevant experience, with Level 2 English and Maths; leadership, project management or professional business development qualifications are desirable.
• Business Development & Sector Experience - Significant experience in employer engagement, securing new business and partnerships, achieving income and growth targets, and ideally working within the skills, training, apprenticeship or FE sector.
• Leadership & Commercial Skills - Proven ability to lead and manage teams, with strong commercial awareness, influencing, decision-making, project management and customer relationship skills, including experience using CRM systems and managing sales pipelines.
• Communication, Analytical & Digital Skills - Excellent communication, interpersonal, organisational and prioritisation skills, with strong numeracy, analytical ability and proficiency in Microsoft Office and other relevant IT systems.
• Professional Attributes & Flexibility - Results-focused, adaptable and committed to continuous improvement, safeguarding, EDI and TBCG values, with the ability to work under pressure, maintain professional boundaries, travel between campuses and employer locations, and adapt working hours when required.

For a more detailed breakdown of the job role and the requirements, please see the Job Description attached to this vacancy.

Successful candidates must also be able to demonstrate alignment to our…