Description

The Employer Engagement Officer is responsible for developing and maintaining strong relationships with employers and alumni to create meaningful work-related opportunities for students. This includes internships, placements, graduate roles, and employer-led learning activity that enhances student employability and progression outcomes.

The role plays a key part in improving Graduate Outcomes and supporting students from widening participation backgrounds through high-quality employer engagement.

Key Responsibilities

Employer Partnerships

• Build, manage, and grow relationships with a range of employers, including SMEs, corporates, start-ups, and public/third-sector organisations
• Identify and secure new employer partnerships aligned to academic subject areas
• Act as the main point of contact for employer engagement and recruitment activity

Employer Engagement Activity

• Plan and deliver employer-led events such as careers fairs, networking events, sector insight sessions, and skills workshops
• Coordinate guest speakers, employer panels, and employer advisory groups
• Organise employer site visits and experiential learning opportunities
• Deliver industry-themed weeks and sector-focused engagement initiatives

Alumni Engagement

• Develop and maintain an active network of alumni and industry professionals
• Engage alumni in mentoring, guest lectures, and recruitment activity
• Support alumni involvement in employability and curriculum-related activity

Curriculum & Academic Collaboration

• Work closely with academic teams to embed employer engagement into teaching and learning
• Support live briefs, industry projects, and employer input into programme design
• Ensure engagement activity reflects diversity, inclusion, and student needs

Student Opportunity Pipeline

• Develop and manage a structured pipeline of internships, placements, graduate roles, and project-based opportunities
• Work with careers teams to prepare students and match suitable candidates to employers

Labour Market Insight & Monitoring

• Maintain awareness of labour market trends and employer skills needs
• Track employer engagement activity, student participation, and employment outcomes
• Use data and feedback to improve engagement activity and reporting against KPIs

Institutional Representation

• Represent the institution at employer events, business networks, and industry forums
• Contribute to building the institutions profile with employers and external partners

Essential Criteria

• Degree or equivalent qualification
• Experience in employer engagement, partnerships, or business development
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills
• Experience organising events or engagement activity
• Knowledge of recruitment practices and labour market trends

Desirable

• Experience in higher or further education
• Experience supporting employability or graduate outcomes activity
• Understanding of widening participation and diverse student groups