At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead employer partnerships and develop innovative pathways for student success.
- Company: Join a dynamic team at Kingston University focused on student development.
- Benefits: Enjoy 35 days annual leave, generous pension, and access to LinkedIn Learning.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by connecting students with industry leaders and enhancing graduate outcomes.
- Qualifications: Experience in employer engagement or business development, ideally in education.
- Other info: Full-time, permanent role with excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 60996 - 85400 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.
Employer 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 Employer Engagement Manager in Kingston upon Thames
✨Network Like a Pro
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. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can’t.
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with employers, make sure to highlight your skills and experiences that align with their needs. Use specific examples to demonstrate how you can add value to their team – it’s all about making that connection!
✨Be Prepared for Interviews
Do your homework before any interview! Research the company, understand their values, and think about how your experience fits into their goals. This will help you stand out and show that you’re genuinely interested in the role.
✨Follow Up
After any meeting or interview, don’t forget to send a follow-up message. Thank them for their time and reiterate your interest in the position. It’s a simple gesture that can keep you top of mind as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Employer 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 Employer Engagement Manager role. Highlight your experience in employer partnerships and business development, and show us how you can bring value to our Future Skills programme.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; we want to see your successes! Use specific examples of how you've led projects or built relationships that resulted in positive outcomes. Numbers and metrics can really make your application stand out.
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your written application. We’re looking for someone who is not only skilled but also passionate about creating opportunities for students. Share your motivation and why you want to join our team!
Follow the Application Process: Make sure to apply through our website to ensure your application gets to us smoothly. Double-check that you’ve included all required documents and that everything is polished before hitting send!
How to prepare for a job interview at KINGSTON UNIVERSITY
✨Know Your Employers
Before the interview, do your homework on the key employers you’ll be engaging with. Understand their needs, values, and how they align with the Future Skills programme. This will help you demonstrate your strategic thinking and show that you’re genuinely interested in building meaningful partnerships.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Be ready to discuss specific examples of complex initiatives you've managed. Highlight how you coordinated multiple stakeholders and delivered successful outcomes. This will illustrate your strong project management abilities, which are crucial for this role.
✨Demonstrate Team Leadership
Prepare to talk about your experience leading teams. Share how you’ve fostered a collaborative environment and provided structure and clarity. This will reassure the interviewers that you can effectively lead the dynamic team supporting employer partnerships.
✨Master Communication and Negotiation
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve successfully built relationships and managed key accounts. Strong communication and negotiation skills are essential, so showcasing these will set you apart from other candidates.