Employability Engagement Leader

The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.

Job title:

Employability Engagement Leader
Job reference: REQ
011602
Date posted: 22/08/2025
Final date to receive applications: 30/07/2026

Location:

Manchester
Salary: £28,373 - £36,000 per annum
Package:
Competitive Benefits plus Local Government Pension Scheme
Contractual hours: 35 Basis Full time
Job category/type:
Business Development

We are seeking an ambitious and experienced people manager to join us as Work Experience Employability Engagement Leader. This exciting leadership role requires strong business development experience, ideally within education or skills, alongside a proven ability to lead teams, build employer partnerships, and work collaboratively with curriculum colleagues.

You will lead employer engagement and work experience activity across a diverse range of curriculum areas including Business, Management and Administration, Digital, Hospitality and Catering, Travel and Tourism, and Hair and Beauty. Working closely with employers, stakeholders, and curriculum teams, you will drive high-quality industry placements, strengthen partnerships, and support students to develop the skills and experience employers value most.

In addition to leading and supporting a team of Employability and Partnership Coordinators, the postholder will also manage their own caseload of students, ensuring they are placed in high-quality environments where they can develop the knowledge, skills, and behaviours needed for industry success. A key priority will be expanding business opportunities within the Hospitality Industry across Greater Manchester, aligned to our specialist courses listed here:

This is a permanent, full-time (35 hours per week) role.

Our City Centre campus is a flagship site in the heart of Manchester, offering cutting‑edge facilities and a buzzing, creative atmosphere. Home to our Centre of Excellence for Creative and Digital Industries, it provides an inspiring setting for both staff and learners, with specialist studios, workshops, and collaborative spaces. With its central location and strong industry links, the campus is a hub for innovation, talent development, and real‑world learning.

The Manchester College is the Largest Further Education College in the United Kingdom and has the largest provisions for 16‑19yrs olds, adults, and higher education in Greater Manchester. We are part of the LTE group that consist of MOL, Total People, UCEN Manchester, Novus, and LTE Group Operations. We currently support more than 25% of Greater Manchester’s learning provision and are currently rated “Good” by Ofsted.

The Manchester Colleges offering is bolstered by 18 Centres of Excellence across our campuses, ensuring we give our best and strive to achieve an unrivalled learning experience for our students. We have partnerships with over 1000 industry and employer partners nationally to ensure our students secure their place as the leaders of the future.

Proudly, The Manchester College is also 1 of only 57 organisations nationally recognised with the Princess Royal Training Award 2025, demonstrating our commitment to investing in our people and their development.

• 35 days paid annual leave plus 8 bank holidays.
• 3 well‑being days per year.
• Significant pension contribution.
• Retail discounts.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Cycle to work scheme.

Please see the attached role profile for an overview of general role responsibilities.

To be successful in this role, you will need:

• At least a GSCE or level 2 in literacy or numeracy (or equivalent).
• Experience of employer engagement, involving but not limited to networking, cold calling, negotiating and relationship management skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and on own initiative.
• Experience of engaging with employers at operational levels, particularly in relation to employer engagement.
• Experience of delivering qualifications, education, or employability sessions.
• Experience of delivering group work sessions…