Business Development Manager – Apprenticeships & Employer Training in Essex

About The Role

Permanent Full Time, 37 hours per week

£54,758 to £64,421 per annum

Location: Countywide

Working Style: Fixed-base worker

Closing Date: 24th May 2026

Adult Community Learning (ACL) Essex is Essex County Council’s provider of lifelong learning experiences for residents. The service offers qualifications and apprenticeship training to help people move nearer to, enter, or progress within the workplace or gain skills to enhance life chances, focusing on the hardest‑to‑reach communities.

The Business Development Manager sets the commercial strategy and leads delivery that grows participation, income and employer collaboration across apprenticeships, funded and full‑cost programmes. The role strengthens ACL’s brand, develops market insight and partnerships, and uses data‑led campaigns to convert interest into enrolments.

Accountabilities

• Lead and manage ACL’s integrated business development, marketing and sales plan to deliver year‑on‑year growth across apprenticeships, adult education budget (ASF) and commercial, and Learning Loans income aligned to the council’s growth and skills priorities.
• Plan and develop campaigns and content that build brand awareness and evidence ACL’s impact, ensuring all materials and channels meet the council’s brand and accessibility standards.
• Build and manage effective employer and community partnerships to expand ACL’s footprint, co‑design offers and convert opportunities into sustained revenue and progression for learners.
• Own the customer relationship management (CRM) and data‑led funnel management, from lead generation through conversion and retention, using analytics to target priority cohorts and optimise return on investment.
• Collaborate with curriculum and area leaders so that product development, pricing and promotion are responsive to labour market intelligence and local need, as well as fees policy.
• Manage market insight and funding opportunities and translate into business growth propositions, bids and commercial partnerships that diversify income and reduce dependency on single streams.
• Oversee the production calendar for web, social, print and PR, ensuring timely delivery, consistent tone of voice and measurable outcomes.
• Provide confident people leadership for business development, sales and marketing colleagues, setting clear objectives, coaching performance and ensuring safeguarding, GDPR and Health and Safety compliance.
• Contribute to ACL’s self‑assessment and quality improvement, aligning recruitment activity to retention, achievement and positive destinations.
• Specific individual and shared targets and objectives are defined annually within the performance management framework.

The Experience You Will Bring

• Educated to RQF Level 6 (or equivalent by experience) in marketing, business or a related field, with evidence of continuing professional development.
• Proven track record leading business development, marketing and sales in an adult learning, FE or training context, delivering measurable growth in participation and income.
• Strong understanding of apprenticeships, ASF, and commercial funding, employer engagement and account management, with the ability to shape compelling propositions.
• Advanced data literacy, including use of CRM and analytics to drive targeting, conversion and retention, and to evaluate return on investment.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and partnership skills, with the credibility to influence senior stakeholders and co‑design offers with employers and community partners.
• Experienced people leader with objective setting, coaching and performance management skills, and a commitment to inclusion, accessibility and digital best practice.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. We are a Disability Confident Leader and will interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum requirements under our Job Interview Scheme. We also interview all veterans and care leavers who meet the minimum requirements of the role.