Business Innovation Lead

The Business Innovation Lead is responsible for leading and delivering the College’s employer engagement and business development strategy, driving growth in apprenticeships, commercial training, and employer-led provision.

The postholder will ensure effective delivery of employer engagement activity, and will be accountable for performance against income, engagement, and partnership college Key Performance Indicators.

Craven College aspires to be a leading college in digital education, and all business support staff are expected to possess the digital competencies relevant to their role. Staff are required to undertake continuing professional development to ensure their digital skills are up-to-date and aligned with the efficient and effective delivery of college services.

Employer

Craven College

Date Posted

September 8, 2026

Post No.

B283

Location

Skipton

Hours

37 hours per week

Responsible to

Head of Department

Closing Date

September 27, 2026 23:59

Special Conditions

A full enhanced disclosure check via the Disclosure & Barring Service will be required for this post

Key Duties

This job description is a guide to the duties you will be expected to perform immediately on your appointment. These may change in the future in line with the strategic direction and development of the College.

• Lead the development of the college’s employment engagement and business development with employers, sector bodies, local authorities, and stakeholders.
• Identify new business opportunities for apprenticeships, commercial training, and develop a bespoke employer-led provision.
• Work with Heads of Department, to align curriculum demand and employer provision
• Promote the College as a trusted training provider, ensuring provision meets employer and labour markets needs in line with local skills priorities.
• Attend employer forums, networking events, careers/apprenticeship fairs, and sector meetings to promote and raise the college profile across the region.
• Respond to employer enquiries and convert leads into bespoke curriculum engagement.
• Development employer-led curriculum offers supporting tailored training solutions.
• Contribute to growth plans and targets within agreed funding and compliance frameworks.
• Ensuring that all industry placement opportunities taken up by students conform to the necessary safeguarding and health and safety requirements of the college, and that employers are aware of their obligations as regards student welfare.
• Provide insight to curriculum and Heads of Department on employer demand and emerging skills needs.
• Contribute to marketing and promotional activity, including case studies, employer testimonials, and events.
• Contribute to and maintain accurate and up-to-date management information systems (e.g. Pro-solution, Pro Monitor and GroFar) to log student and placement information and provide regular management reports.
• Maintain accurate records of employer communications using relevant IT systems which contribute to the college’s work to maximise business opportunities.
• Develop and maintain high levels of organisation and keep detailed records of interactions with students and their progress with regard to industry placement.
• Contribute to continuous review of the quality of placement provision.
• Operate a flexible working pattern in accordance with the requirements of the role.
• Maintain continued professional development in areas related to the post.
• Take a positive approach to personal staff development, identifying appropriate training and development opportunities to enhance individual skills and knowledge and undertake any relevant training identified by the Corporation as necessary and important for the role.
• Carry out any other duties deemed appropriate including supporting the wider College Teams with activities. There will be an expectation that the post holder will support student recruitment which includes a proportionate amount of Interview, Information and Open Evenings.

This job description and person specification is current at the date of issue. Changing organisational needs may require the job description to change, within reason, after prior consultation with the post holder.

Person Specific

The person we are hoping to appoint will meet all the following essential requirements and some or all of the desirable requirements.

• Qualified to level 3;
• Experience in business development, sales, account management, or employer engagement.
• Strong understanding of employer needs and customer-focused service delivery.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Willingness to travel and attend events outside normal working hours where required.
• Highly competent with a range of IT software;
• Experience of providing administrative support;
• Ability to set up and maintain effective administration and monitoring systems to include records and data;
• Ability to interpret and follow complex procedures and guidelines;
• Excellent interpersonal skills including a pleasant telephone manner and face to face contact;
• Ability to liaise at a high level with external bodies and represent the College’s interests;
• Ability to provide full and accurate information in a clear and non-confrontational manner;
• Good organisational skills with the ability to co-ordinate multiple activities;
• Ability to work to a consistently high standard under pressure and to pre-determined deadlines;
• Willingness and ability to work on own initiative with minimal supervision;
• A full clean driving licence and the use of a car.
• Ability to effectively use digital tools and platforms. Staff are required to undertake continuing professional development to ensure their digital skills are up-to-date and aligned with the efficient and effective delivery of college services or willing to work towards.
• Experience within Further Education, skills, apprenticeships, or training sectors.
• Knowledge of apprenticeship funding, adult education funding, or commissioned contracts.
• Understanding of labour market intelligence and local/regional skills priorities.
• Experience of working with SMEs and large employers

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