Key Account Executive - Education Sector in Leeds

Location: West Yorkshire / Home Based

Contract: Full-time, Permanent

Hours: Monday to Thursday 8:00am - 4:15pm, Friday 8:00am - 4:00pm

Package: Competitive package + Commission

Sector: Apprenticeships, Training, Engineering, Manufacturing, Employer Engagement

Are you an experienced Employer Engagement Executive, Apprenticeship Sales Consultant, Business Development Executive or Training Provider Sales professional with a strong background in building employer partnerships? This is an excellent opportunity to join one of the UK’s leading engineering training providers, supporting employers across engineering, manufacturing, process, energy and industrial sectors with high-quality apprenticeship and commercial training solutions.

We are looking for a confident, proactive and relationship-led professional who can open doors with employers, understand workforce development needs and convert conversations into long-term training partnerships. This role would suit someone from an apprenticeship provider, college, training provider, skills organisation, engineering training business or employer engagement background who enjoys consultative business development and wants to work in a purpose-led environment.

What’s in it for you?

• Home-based, permanent role covering the West Yorkshire region
• Excellent annual leave package of 42 days including bank holidays
• Christmas shut down period between Christmas and New Year
• Monday to Friday working pattern, with an early Friday finish
• Commission opportunity, discussed with shortlisted candidates
• Strong pension scheme, with 7% employer contribution
• Life insurance at 4x annual salary
• Private healthcare after qualifying period
• Branded workwear provided
• Long-term stability with a respected engineering training provider
• Opportunity to build employer partnerships across engineering and manufacturing
• Purpose-led role supporting apprenticeships, training and future skills development

The Role

As Employer Engagement Executive, you will be responsible for developing new business opportunities and managing key employer relationships across West Yorkshire. You will promote apprenticeship programmes, commercial training and bespoke workforce development solutions to employers within engineering and manufacturing environments. This is a consultative sales and employer engagement role. You will build trust with employers, understand skills gaps, identify training needs and create long-term partnerships that support both business growth and future engineering talent.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify and develop new employer partnerships across engineering and manufacturing
• Generate new engineering training opportunities through proactive outreach
• Promote apprenticeship, commercial training and upskilling programmes
• Deliver tailored proposals and presentations to employers
• Build strong relationships with SMEs, larger employers and key decision-makers
• Manage and grow existing employer accounts
• Conduct regular employer review meetings to understand workforce development needs
• Identify opportunities for cross-selling and upselling training services
• Attend networking events, employer meetings, exhibitions and industry events
• Support targeted employer outreach campaigns across West Yorkshire
• Maintain accurate CRM records and manage pipeline activity
• Track pipeline performance, conversion rates and revenue growth
• Work closely with internal sales, marketing and training teams

What We’re Looking For

We are particularly interested in candidates with experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Employer engagement
• Apprenticeship sales
• Training provider business development
• College or independent training provider sales
• Commercial training sales
• Skills bootcamps or workforce development
• Engineering or manufacturing sector business development
• Account management within training, education or technical services

You will need to be confident speaking with employers, comfortable managing targets and able to build relationships with decision-makers at different levels. Experience within engineering, manufacturing, apprenticeships, training or workforce development would be highly advantageous.

Essential Requirements

• Experience in business development, sales, employer engagement or account management
• Experience in a similar position and sector would be a distinct advantage
• Confident and professional communication style
• Strong written, verbal, email and telephone communication skills
• Comfortable presenting to employers and stakeholders
• Skilled at building long-term client relationships
• Organised, proactive and target-driven
• Strong attention to detail and professional approach
• Ability to work under pressure and achieve challenging targets
• Flexible approach with the ability to respond positively to change
• Confident using Microsoft Office
• Full UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle
• Ideally based in the West Yorkshire area
• Ability to travel to employer sites and events across the region
• GCSE Grade C/4 or above in English and Maths
• Successful completion of an enhanced DBS check

Highly Advantageous

• Previous experience within apprenticeships, training, education or skills
• Experience working with engineering, manufacturing or industrial employers
• Knowledge of apprenticeship programmes or commercial training
• Experience using CRM systems and/or PICS software
• Experience supporting or managing external events
• NVQ Level 3 or equivalent in Business Administration
• Understanding of workforce development, skills gaps or technical training solutions

About You

You may currently be working as an Employer Engagement Executive, Apprenticeship Sales Executive, Business Development Executive, Training Provider Sales Consultant, Employer Partnerships Manager, Account Manager, Commercial Training Consultant or Skills Business Development Manager. Most importantly, you will be someone who enjoys building meaningful employer relationships, is commercially motivated, and wants to work in a role that supports the development of future engineering talent.

Apply Now

If you have experience in employer engagement, apprenticeship sales, training provider business development or engineering/manufacturing account management, we would welcome your application. Apply today to be considered for this Employer Engagement Executive opportunity across West Yorkshire.