At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead employer partnerships and develop innovative strategies to connect students with industry.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking university committed to student success and employability.
- Benefits: Enjoy 35 days annual leave, generous pension, and access to thousands of courses.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' careers while working with top employers.
- Qualifications: Experience in employer engagement or business development, ideally in education.
- Other info: Dynamic role with strong career growth opportunities and a collaborative team environment.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 85000 ÂŁ per year.
Our sector-leading Future Skills programme successfully creates skills development opportunities for students in the curriculum and builds talent pipelines and pathways with employers. In this role, you will oversee the scaling up of employer partnerships through strategic business development and relationship management to ensure that the needs of both students and employers are met.
Leading a dynamic team of eight staff supporting employer partnerships and mentoring programmes, you’ll also have responsibility for overseeing our biannual Careers Festival. This is a strategic, outward‑facing role where you’ll build and maintain strong relationships with key employers, act as the institutional expert on the graduate labour market, and drive innovation in how we connect students with industry leading to strong graduate outcomes.
You will bring a strong track record of leading employer engagement or business development activity, ideally in an education or early talent setting. You’ll understand the evolving graduate labour market, be well-connected across sectors and be committed to creating meaningful opportunities for students.
We’re looking for:
- Strategic thinking with practical delivery – you can develop partnership models and engagement strategies, and you’re willing to get involved in making them happen.
- Strong project management – you can deliver complex initiatives involving multiple stakeholders.
- Team leadership – you’ll bring structure and clarity to the team and nurture a collaborative working environment.
- Relationship management – you’re skilled at building partnerships, managing key accounts and working university-wide and across external organisations.
- Strong communication and negotiation – you will be able to represent the University confidently.
The Careers and Employability Service is part of the Department of Student Development and Graduate Success (SDGS) within the Directorate of Students. The wider Directorate’s key aim is to deliver a seamless, high-quality experience for all students to ensure they are “sought after”, supporting their participation, attainment, and success before, during and after their time at Kingston. This in turn will create a culture of high performance that is inclusive, innovative, ambitious and enterprising.
This is a full time, permanent position with a competitive salary range, starting from ÂŁ60,996 per annum. Interviews are expected to take place in person on Monday 13 April 2026. Please contact Ali Orr, Student Development and Graduate Success Director for an informal conversation about the role.
We offer a range of benefits, including:
- 35 days annual leave Full time equivalent
- Generous pension scheme (LGPS or TPS)
- Employee Assistance Programme helps with any work-related problems having a wider impact on your life and gives you access to the savings centre.
- Discounts on Perks a Work Course fee waiver scheme and discounted courses across the University.
- Learn new skills with priority access to thousands of courses via LinkedIn Learning.
- Season ticket loans up to ÂŁ10,000 to help you spread the cost of commuting and get the best value for money.
Employee Engagement Manager in Kingston upon Thames employer: KINGSTON UNIVERSITY
Contact Detail:
KINGSTON UNIVERSITY Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Employee Engagement Manager in Kingston upon Thames
✨Tip Number 1
Networking is key! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential employers. Remember, it’s all about building those relationships!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews like a pro! Research the company and its culture, and think about how your skills align with their needs. Practise common interview questions and have some examples ready that showcase your experience in employer engagement and project management.
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. Mention something specific from your conversation to show you were engaged and interested.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Employee Engagement Manager in Kingston upon Thames
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Employee Engagement Manager role. Highlight your experience in employer engagement and business development, and show how your skills align with our mission at StudySmarter.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of your successes in previous roles. Whether it’s a project you led or a partnership you developed, we want to see how you’ve made an impact!
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We value authenticity and want to get a sense of who you are beyond your professional experience. Share your passion for creating opportunities for students!
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, make sure to submit your application through our website. This helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at KINGSTON UNIVERSITY
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into understanding the graduate labour market and the specific needs of employers. Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in employer engagement and be ready to discuss how you can leverage your knowledge to create meaningful opportunities for students.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading teams and managing projects. Think about times when you brought structure and clarity to a team or successfully delivered complex initiatives. This will demonstrate your ability to lead the dynamic team you'll be overseeing.
✨Build Rapport
During the interview, focus on building a connection with your interviewers. Use your strong communication skills to engage them in conversation. Ask insightful questions about their current partnerships and express genuine interest in their goals, showing that you’re not just a fit for the role but also for their culture.
✨Be Ready to Innovate
Think about innovative strategies you could implement to enhance employer partnerships and student engagement. Be prepared to share your ideas during the interview, as this will showcase your strategic thinking and willingness to drive change in the organisation.