Business Development Executive

The Business Development Executive will play a key role in developing the College’s relationships with employers, identifying new business opportunities, and promoting apprenticeship programmes and the wider college offer including T Level work placements and partnership opportunities.

The postholder will act as a trusted partner to employers, helping them understand how our training offer can meet their workforce development needs while supporting learners into sustainable employment. Building relationships through a sales-driven mindset and exceptional customer service, the post-holder will develop and establish productive relationships with new and existing employers to support workforce development needs and address skills gaps.

The post holder will assist the Head of External Engagement and the wider Apprenticeships Team to achieve the college’s strategic growth targets.

Key Responsibilities

• Employer Engagement & Business Development
• Sales Generation: Proactively identify, canvass, engage, and secure new employer partnerships to grow apprenticeship starts and raise awareness of the wider college offer. This will entail reaching out to a wide network of new employers across each sector by telephone, email and in person. Encouraging employers to provide T Level placements and support sponsorship opportunities will be part of this
• Account Management: Maintain and develop long-term relationships with existing employer partners, ensuring regular contact, high levels of customer satisfaction and consistently excellent feedback
• Achieve agreed targets for apprenticeship recruitment and new employer engagement
• Promote the full range of apprenticeship standards and all skills training solutions offered by the College
• Conduct ‘Training Need Analyses’ and workforce planning discussions
• Support employers with apprenticeship levy and funding guidance
• Represent the College at a wide range of external stakeholder events
• Prepare and deliver employer presentations, proposals, and detailed breakdowns of funding information and fees/pricing information
• Maintain accurate records of employer activity using CRM systems
• Report on new business development achievements monthly
• Work closely with work-based tutors and support teams to ensure employer needs are met
• Contribute to college recruitment events, employer forums, and support promotional activities
• Support the development of new apprenticeship programmes in response to market demand
• Ensure all employer engagement activity aligns with funding rules and College policies
• Support employers through onboarding processes, working with the Recruitment and Compliance team
• Contribute to continuous improvement and quality assurance processes
• Encourage employers to participate in sector forums and college initiatives
• Contribute to the development of new apprenticeship standards to meet skills gaps
• Maximise the use of market intelligence to inform sales pitches
• Have an in-depth knowledge of Apprenticeship funding and a working knowledge of other funding streams and government initiatives
• Ensure continuous development and improvement of professional knowledge
• Any other duties of a similar level of responsibility as may be required

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Qualifications

Essential Criteria

• Educated to a minimum Level 4 standard in a relevant discipline eg: Business Studies
• Must have attained GCSE standard in English and Maths.

How Identified: Application

Experience

Essential Criteria

• Strong sales instinct
• Proven experience in sales, business development, or employer engagement with a strong track record of developing business with employers of all sizes
• Strong relationship-building skills
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Ability to work to targets and manage a sales pipeline
• Strong understanding of apprenticeships, vocational training and workforce development
• Strong organisational and CRM/IT skills
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel to employer sites
• Knowledge of apprenticeship funding
• Excellent attention to detail
• Excellent presentation skills
• The ability to input and interpret data with a high level of accuracy
• The ability to negotiate with external customers to meet compliance requirements
• Excellent organisational and prioritising skills
• Knowledge of the principles of data protection
• Ability to use technology to generate information and improve efficiency

How Identified: Application/ Interview

Desirable Criteria

• Experience working in an FE college or training provider
• Background in training or skills sector
• Educated to degree level in a relevant field eg: Business Studies

How Identified: Application/ Interview

Specialist Knowledge

Essential Criteria

• Ability to interpret LMI data
• Good knowledge of Apprenticeship funding rules
• Proficient IT skills

How Identified: Application/ Interview