Business Development Professional - Apprenticeships

About the Opportunity

Position overview

Department: Business and Partnership Development & Apprenticeships / Innovation & Enterprise

Location: London / Remote (Hybrid working in line with business need – typically 50% of working week on campus)

Term: Full-time; Ongoing

Salary Range: £40,000 - £45,000 per annum, depending on experience

Benefits: The university supports staff maintaining a good work/life balance, offers flexible working and parental leave opportunities, an Employee Assistance Programme which provides free, confidential advice on both home and work concerns as well as optional private medical insurance, season ticket loans and being part of the cycle to work scheme. 25 days holiday allowance plus winter break 27th to 31st December (excl. Bank Holidays), Group life assurance, group income protection, Pension schemes and optional private healthcare.

Line Management Responsibility: None

Reports to: Associate Director, Innovation & Enterprise (Currently to Director of Business Development – Interim cover for Maternity Leave)

Start date (dependent on successful completion of relevant checks): Immediate – July 2026

The Role: Northeastern University London (NU London) wishes to appoint a Business Development Professional to be responsible for promotion of work-related programmes which include a portfolio of Degree Apprenticeships, Apprenticeship Units, short courses and other non-degree, non-credit bearing offerings. This will require working with employers across all sectors as a part of workforce planning. Proactive and results-driven, the role holder will identify and secure income generating opportunities for NU London and, where appropriate, NU’s wider Global Network. Experience working with Apprenticeship programmes is a must. You will also have considerable experience of developing and facilitating relationships between the HE sectors and the business community and will possess an in-depth understanding of the importance of innovation in a business context.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Identifying organisations with potential synergies to the University’s expertise and developing a proposal for targeting this business.
• Identifying business needs and issues aligned to workforce planning and lifelong learning, facilitating business liaison and business development activities with the objective of turning prospects into income generating projects.
• Proactively search out and secure funded project ideas and proposals that will build capacity within the business development team.
• Developing and implementing an operational plan that clearly defines the relationship between Northeastern University London and business that will bring professionalism and consistency to the interface.
• Excellent communication skills, able to clearly articulate the University’s offerings and how these benefits align to an organisation’s needs.
• Planning and managing new marketing initiatives for the Business Development portfolio of programmes, including editing, and supporting the production of all resources and publicity material, including websites, events, etc.
• Report income generation data, targets, and forecasts on a regular basis.
• Drive demonstrable growth in income arising from apprenticeship opportunities.
• Support internal operational teams in implementing partner engagements.
• Acquire, and maintain, the knowledge required to ensure that apprentices/learners and the associated administration complies with the quality assurance processes for NU London, OfS, Ofsted, Ofqual and DWP.
• Help ensure evidence packs for apprentices/learners are complete and accurate in accordance with the DWP and Data Protection regulations, particularly in respect of contracts and eligibility/registration requirements.
• Ensure compliance with End Assessment regulations as prescribed by the DWP.
• Have a full professional knowledge of the requirements for learner academic and pastoral support, ensuring an understanding of NU London systems and services for delivery: dealing with correspondence and maintaining confidential files.
• Attending relevant training as required.
• Participate in committees and working groups as appropriate and when required.
• Any other duties commensurate with the level of responsibility of this post in support of the Director of Business and Partnership Development & Apprenticeships or their nominee, for which the post holder has the necessary experience and/or training.

Person specification criteria:

To undertake this role, the following should apply – should you not have the experience below, please do highlight where transferrable skills would assist with you undertaking the role.

Qualifications:

• Honours degree or equivalent professional or vocational qualification and/or extensive relevant business development experience [E]
• Recognised qualification or significant relevant experience in the use and development of digital marketing [D]

Key Skills & Experience:

• Experience of developing and facilitating strong relationships between the HE sectors and the employer community, specifically in the context of apprenticeship programme development and growth [E]
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with employer partners to support apprenticeship recruitment, programme design, and ongoing account management [E]
• Knowledge and hands-on experience of the administrative and compliance requirements of apprenticeship programmes, including funding rules and learner management processes, ideally within Higher Education or Further Education [E]
• Experience of managing reporting requirements [E]
• Experience in the use of database and management information systems — such as Maytas, or equivalent MIS platforms — with an ability to create and maintain records, and to extract and report data to support funding compliance and quality assurance [E]
• Experience of engaging with a broad range of external stakeholders, including employers, DWP, Ofsted, and end-point assessment organisations, with the ability to quickly understand stakeholder needs and work flexibly to deliver solutions that meet both commercial objectives and regulatory compliance requirements [E]
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written) [E]
• Strong project management capabilities with excellent organisation and time management skills, demonstrating an ability to work flexibly and to deadlines while maintaining a high level of accuracy and attention to detail [E]
• Able to work without close supervision and with autonomy, using own initiative, but also collaboratively as a team member, being flexible and adaptable, and with a willingness to embrace change [E]
• High degree of professionalism and personal integrity; ability to exercise complete discretion and maintain confidentiality [E]
• Excellent record keeping and maintenance, with awareness of Data Protection and GDPR [E]
• Resilient, with a can-do attitude and an ability to thrive, remaining calm and measured under pressure [E]
• Competent in the use of IT, especially MS Office [E]
• Willingness and capacity to undertake continuous professional development [E]

About Business and Partnership Development & Apprenticeships:

The Business and Partnership Development & Apprenticeships section of NU London is dedicated to designing and delivering work-related learning throughout the UK and internationally. The majority of the team largely work remotely, using innovative pedagogical approaches and best practice in digital education and collaboration to ensure an excellent learner experience for individuals or groups of learners, wherever they are based. The team currently delivers a growing portfolio of work-related learning in the form of apprenticeships, online degrees, Skills Bootcamps, and other short course offerings, all aligned to digital transformation, data science, artificial intelligence, and project management.

Enquiries: Informal enquiries may be made to Emma Kelly (emma.kelly@nulondon.ac.uk). However, all applications must be made in accordance with the application process specified.

Application process: Please include a covering letter of no more than one page addressing the role criteria and a full curriculum vitae. Participation in the equal opportunities section is encouraged, but voluntary.

Things to consider: For staff’s own wellbeing, for part time roles, the expectation is if you have multiple roles, they should not exceed full time (37.5 hours per week), and for full time roles, the expectation is that this will be your only role (apart from intermittent roles such as exam invigilator etc). Please note this role will require a basic or enhanced DBS check. Our organisation acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard, protect and promote the welfare of our students and staff, and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice and Ofsted requirements. You must adhere to the above if you are offered a role with NU London. Applications are welcome from all sections of the community and will be judged on merit alone. We welcome applications from all underrepresented groups, including the Global Majority. Candidates must be able to demonstrate their eligibility to work in the UK in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006.