At a Glance
- Tasks: Build employer relationships and create apprenticeship opportunities to drive growth.
- Company: Join Cognition Evolve, a dynamic company shaping the future of apprenticeships.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, Birthday Leave, and additional perks.
- Other info: Work in a hybrid role with excellent career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of an exciting journey in apprenticeship growth and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in business development or recruitment with strong relationship-building skills.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 35000 £ per year.
Salary: £35,000
Location: Hybrid - applicants should be within commuting distance of Manchester
Contract: Permanent
Benefits: 25 days annual leave + Birthday Leave + additional company benefits
Help shape the next stage of apprenticeship growth. Cognition Evolve is growing its apprenticeship offer and we are looking for ambitious Employer Engagement Partners to help build employer relationships, create apprenticeship opportunities and support the development of new apprenticeship pathways. This is an Employer Engagement and Sales role focused on apprenticeships.
These are exciting opportunities to join at an early stage as we expand our apprenticeship provision nationally. We are recruiting initially into specialist growth areas including:
- Early Years Apprenticeships
- Professional Skills Apprenticeships
Additional pathways are planned as the service grows. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys building relationships, opening new opportunities while helping employers use apprenticeships to solve workforce challenges. This is primarily a new business and growth role focused on generating apprenticeship starts and building a national employer pipeline.
The Role
You will take ownership of developing new employer relationships, identifying opportunities and converting interest into apprenticeship starts. Working alongside recruitment, delivery and apprenticeship colleagues, you will help employers understand workforce needs and match apprenticeship solutions that support both organisational growth and learner success. You will retain ownership of employer relationships beyond initial onboarding to support future growth opportunities, while maintaining a light-touch account management approach. This is a national role. Most engagement activity is expected to take place remotely.
Key Responsibilities
Employer Growth & Business Development
- Identify, engage and develop new employer relationships nationally
- Generate apprenticeship opportunities and convert employer interest into apprenticeship starts
- Build and maintain an active pipeline of employers across agreed sectors and pathways
- Carry out consultative workforce discussions and training needs analysis
- Develop repeat opportunities within employer accounts
Relationship Management
- Become a trusted advisor to employers exploring apprenticeship solutions
- Provide a positive experience from first enquiry through to onboarding
- Retain ownership of employer relationships to support continued growth activity
- Build referral routes and partnership opportunities to support expansion
Performance & Delivery
- Work towards agreed targets focused on apprenticeship starts, employer engagement activity and pipeline growth
- Maintain accurate CRM records and forecasting information
- Track opportunities, progression and conversion activity
- Share employer insight to support service development and future pathways
Collaboration
- Work closely with Candidate Engagement colleagues to align vacancies and candidate supply
- Support cohort planning and growth discussions
- Work collaboratively with apprenticeship delivery teams to ensure smooth onboarding and successful starts
What Success Looks Like in Year One
In your first year you will:
- Build a strong employer network within your specialist pathway area
- Create sustainable apprenticeship opportunities
- Develop repeat employer relationships
- Achieve personal apprenticeship growth targets and contribute toward team objectives
- Help shape employer engagement processes as the service expands
- Support the launch and growth of future apprenticeship pathways
Requirements About You
We are interested in people who enjoy creating opportunities and building partnerships. You may currently work within:
- Apprenticeship employer engagement
- Apprenticeship business development
- Recruitment
- Workforce development
- Training sales
- Employer partnerships
- Education or employability services
Skills you will require:
Essential
- Experience generating new business opportunities, employer relationships or recruitment activity
- Proven ability to work towards targets and convert opportunities
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills
- Good commercial awareness and organisational skills
- Confidence managing pipelines and CRM systems
- Ability to work independently in a developing environment
Desirable
- Apprenticeship experience
- Funded learning knowledge
- Experience within Early Years, Professional Skills or workforce development sectors
- Understanding of employer training needs and workforce planning
Why Join Cognition Evolve?
This is an opportunity to join at an important stage of growth. You will help build something new rather than inherit an established market. You’ll work alongside teams across apprenticeship delivery, recruitment and learning while contributing directly to the future direction of the apprenticeship service.
Our guiding principles are simple:
- Be agile
- Be better
- Be ambitious
- Be impactful
How to Apply
Please submit:
- CV
- Cover letter (maximum two pages)
Your application should demonstrate how you meet the criteria outlined in the person specification.
Closing date: Friday 5 June 2026 at 5pm
Interview week commencing: 15 June 2026
Please note vacancies may close earlier depending on application volumes.
Business Development Lead in Manchester employer: Cognition Learning Group
Cognition Evolve is an exceptional employer that offers a dynamic work environment where you can play a pivotal role in shaping the future of apprenticeships. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will have the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with employers while contributing to innovative apprenticeship pathways. Enjoy a supportive culture that values agility, ambition, and impact, alongside generous benefits including 25 days annual leave and Birthday Leave, all within a hybrid working model based near Manchester.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Development Lead in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential employers on LinkedIn. Building relationships is key to landing that Business Development Lead role.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with employers, make sure to highlight your experience in generating new business opportunities and building employer relationships. Share success stories that demonstrate your impact in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t wait for job openings to appear. Reach out to companies you admire and express your interest in their apprenticeship programmes. This shows initiative and can lead to opportunities that aren’t publicly advertised.
✨Tip Number 4
Keep your CRM skills sharp! Familiarise yourself with CRM systems and be ready to discuss how you’ve used them to manage pipelines and track opportunities. Employers love candidates who can hit the ground running with their tools.
We think you need these skills to ace Business Development Lead in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Business Development Lead role. Highlight your experience in employer engagement and business development, and don’t forget to showcase any relevant achievements that align with our apprenticeship goals.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re passionate about apprenticeships and how your skills can help us grow. Keep it concise, but make sure to connect your experience directly to the key responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Relationship-Building Skills:Since this role is all about building relationships, be sure to include examples of how you've successfully engaged with employers or clients in the past. We want to see your ability to create opportunities and foster partnerships!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into our hands quickly and efficiently. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cognition Learning Group
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into the company’s apprenticeship programmes and their growth plans. Familiarise yourself with the specific sectors they’re focusing on, like Early Years and Professional Skills. This will show your genuine interest and help you speak confidently about how you can contribute.
✨Showcase Your Relationship-Building Skills
Since this role is all about building employer relationships, prepare examples of how you've successfully engaged with employers in the past. Think about specific situations where you identified needs and created solutions that benefited both parties. This will highlight your consultative approach.
✨Be Target-Driven
The role requires working towards targets, so be ready to discuss your experience with achieving goals. Bring along metrics or examples from previous roles where you met or exceeded targets, especially in business development or recruitment. This will demonstrate your ability to drive results.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions that show your understanding of the apprenticeship landscape and the challenges employers face. This could include asking about their strategies for expanding apprenticeship pathways or how they measure success in employer engagement. It shows you're not just interested in the role, but also in the company's future.
