Business Development Officer

Job Details

We are currently hiring a Business Development Officer in Higher Education, Adult Education & Apprenticeships.

Your aim will be able to develop strategic partnerships with employers, community organisations and stakeholders. The role supports learner recruitment, employer engagement and curriculum growth, ensuring compliance with relevant funding, regulatory and quality frameworks.

The post holder will promote inclusive participation, digital engagement, and progression pathways aligned with regional and national skills priorities.

Job Role:

• Business growth & opportunity development – Identify and secure new HE, adult education, and apprenticeship opportunities aligned to employer needs, skills gaps, and local labour market intelligence.
• Strategic planning & market insight – Maintain up-to-date intelligence on sector priorities, emerging skills, qualifications, and funding to inform curriculum development and organisational strategy.
• Employer partnerships & engagement – Build and sustain strong relationships with employers, professional bodies, local authorities, and community partners, acting as a trusted advisor on training solutions.
• Employer support & commercial negotiation – Conduct training needs analyses, advise on funding and DAS processes, and negotiate delivery models, costs, and partnership agreements transparently and compliantly.
• Learner recruitment & progression – Support recruitment across HE, adult learning, and apprenticeships, promote inclusive participation, and enable smooth learner onboarding, progression, and transitions.
• Quality assurance & compliance – Ensure full compliance with funding, regulatory, and inspection frameworks (DfE, OfS, Ofsted, GDPR, safeguarding, PREVENT), contributing to audits, SARs, and quality improvement activity.
• Digital innovation & delivery – Use digital tools to enhance marketing, engagement, performance tracking, and communication, while supporting innovative and flexible delivery models including blended learning.
• Safeguarding, EDI & professional development – Embed safeguarding, wellbeing, equality, diversity, and inclusion across all activities, while actively engaging in CPD and modelling college values and continuous improvement.

The right candidate will have:

Essential:

• Level 3 qualification
• Knowledge of DofE funding rules and apprenticeship standards
• GCSEs in Maths & English (or equivalent)
• Driving Licence (required to visit employers)
• Proven experience in business developments, employer engagement, or partnerships within education or training, including HE, adult educations and/or apprenticeships
• High standards of communication and interpersonal skills.
• The ability to build rapport with stakeholders at all levels.
• Highly motivated and enthusiastic.
• Excellent attendance and punctuality.
• Ability to manage multiple accounts and deadlines simultaneously
• Understanding of relevant funding and regulatory frameworks relating to apprenticeships, HE & adult education.

Desirable:

• Degree level qualification
• Experience working across multiple education funding schemes
• Familiarity with HE quality processes, adult education funding, or apprenticeship compliance audits.
• Knowledge of Ofsted EIF & DofE funding rules.