Employer Engagement Team Leader

The Employment Engagement Team Lead will oversee and drive the performance of the Employment Engagement (EE) team to secure high-quality apprenticeship and work experience opportunities for First Rung learners. This role is responsible for leading employer engagement strategy, managing team performance against targets and ensuring a consistent, high-quality approach to employer communication. The post holder will motivate the team to maximise business development opportunities, increase employer partnerships, and promote the benefits of apprenticeships and work experience placements.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Leadership & Team Management

• Lead and support the Employment Engagement Officers to achieve individual and team targets.
• Lead by example and model best practice in engaging with employers to secure apprenticeship and work placement.
• Set clear KPIs, monitor performance, and provide regular feedback.
• Drive team motivation, accountability, and a high-performance culture.
• Ensure consistency in messaging, employer engagement approach, and quality of delivery across the team.
• Support team development through training, mentoring, and performance improvement plans where required.

• Develop and implement effective employer engagement strategies to generate new apprenticeship and work placement opportunities.
• Drive proactive outreach activity including cold calling, networking, events, and digital engagement.
• Support the team in building and maintaining strong employer relationships.
• Lead on securing new business opportunities with both Levy and non-Levy employers.
• Promote the benefits of apprenticeships and work experience to employers, ensuring a strong and consistent value proposition.
• Manage existing partnerships with employers to maximise repeat business.

• Monitor team activity including calls, outreach, meetings, and conversion rates.
• Analyse performance data to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities for improvement.
• Ensure accurate reporting of employer engagement activity and pipeline.
• Track progress against apprenticeship and work experience targets and implement improvement strategies where needed.

• Ensure all employer engagement activity meets funding, compliance, safeguarding, and health & safety requirements.
• Oversee employer onboarding, ensuring all employers meet Health & Safety requirements and that necessary documentation is completed accurately and in line with requirements.
• Ensure consistency and accuracy of information provided to employers across the team.
• Maintain high standards in line with First Rung policies and external regulations.

• Work closely with curriculum, recruitment, and centre teams to align employer opportunities with learner needs.
• Support marketing and promotional activities including events, campaigns, and employer showcases.
• Contribute to strategic planning for employer engagement and growth.

• Oversee employer pipeline management to ensure a consistent flow of opportunities.
• Use effective sales strategies to engage directly with employers and develop leads for apprenticeship and work placement vacancies to be followed up.
• Support employers with apprenticeship processes including Digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS) where required.
• Ensure all records and systems are updated accurately and in a timely manner.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of processes and systems.

General Responsibilities

• Contribute to achieving First Rung’s overall performance and quality targets.
• Comply with GDPR, safeguarding, Prevent, Equality & Diversity and Health & Safety policies.
• Ensure employers comply fully with First Rung Safeguarding, Prevent, Equality and Diversity, Health, and Safety, and GDPR policies.
• Always act as an ambassador for First Rung.
• Undertake any other duties as required by senior management.

Essential:

• Proven experience in employer engagement, sales, or business development.
• Experience managing or leading a team and driving performance.
• Excellent marketing and sales skills.
• Strong track record of achieving targets and KPIs, both personally and through a team.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to analyse data and manage performance effectively.
• Strong organisational and time management skills.
• Excellent cognitive ability to process and key information about issues such as Apprenticeship requirements, employer incentives, and the Supportive Internship programme.
• Proficient in IT systems and reporting tools.
• Demonstrable awareness of how work experience helps young people prepare for life and work.

Desirable:

• Experience working within a training provider or education setting.
• Understanding of Levy/non-Levy apprenticeship systems and DAS.
• Experience in developing employer engagement strategies.
• Knowledge of apprenticeship provision and its requirements as well as incentives that are available to employers.
• Good knowledge of labour market trends across occupational sectors.
• Knowledge of the specific work-related needs of young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

QUALITIES & ATTRIBUTES

• Motivational leader with a proactive and positive approach.
• Target-driven and results-focused.
• Strong team player with collaborative mindset.
• High level of professionalism and accountability.
• Commitment to safeguarding, equality, and inclusion.
• Adaptable, resilient, and solution-focused.
• Ability to absorb information and keep up to date with new developments.

Safeguarding Statement

First Rung is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to safer recruitment procedures in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (2025) and other statutory guidance. The successful applicant will be required to undertake appropriate pre-employment checks, which will include:

• An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, including a check of the barred lists where applicable.
• Verification of identity, right to work in the UK, and relevant qualifications.
• Professional references, including at least one from a current or most recent employer.
• Online searches carried out as part of due diligence on shortlisted candidates, in line with KCSIE (2025).

We have a strong safeguarding culture, with clear policies and procedures in place, and provide regular safeguarding training to all staff. Any safeguarding concerns or allegations will be managed in accordance with statutory guidance and local safeguarding arrangements. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates and are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. Any offer of employment will be made subject to satisfactory completion of all safeguarding and vetting checks.