Employer Development Manager

Research and External Engagement (REE) is a new integrated service dedicated to driving forward the University’s ambitions for research, innovation, skills and enterprise. This professional service works to support our students, drive research excellence, upskill and reskill the region's workforce, strengthen relationships and engagement with our alumni, business and community partners. Through cutting-edge research initiatives, hands-on learning opportunities, strategic partnerships, civic leadership, and skills delivery, we will empower individuals to thrive in an ever-changing world.

UWE Bristol is an established provider of Higher and Degree level apprenticeships. To support the growth of apprenticeship programmes, the University has invested in a dedicated Centre for Apprenticeships within the REE service, responsible for account management of relationships with employer partners and supporting growth in this area, whilst also supporting programmes to be compliant with external agency governance and ensure employers, apprentices and stakeholders receive excellent service. This is an exciting time to join UWE Bristol and support the ambitious growth of our apprenticeship provision as a leading provider regionally and nationally.

As an Employer Development Manager, you will have an external facing role where you will build new and maintain existing relationships with businesses to support their apprenticeship needs; you will be confident at working closely with employers, with a focus on employers within the engineering/manufacturing/built environment sectors, closely aligned with our UWE College of Arts, Technology and Environment (CATE), to assess the needs of organisations using your expert knowledge and experience to find solutions, provide customer service excellence in the area of apprenticeship delivery, and act as single point of contact for enquiry and escalation.

You will bring an excellent understanding and experience of English apprenticeships, including compliance and funding within the Education & Skills Funding Agency/Department of Education funding rules and knowledge and experience of Quality Assurance including Ofsted. As part of the team, you will have an exciting opportunity to be a part of the ongoing growth of apprenticeships at the university, as well as your own development.

This post is based at our lively Frenchay campus (at least 3 days a week) where we have invested in the latest facilities and resources to give both our staff and students access to everything they need to succeed. There is also a requirement to visit employers for meetings and external events.

We are one of the largest providers of Higher Education in the South West with 38,000 students and 4,000 staff from right across the globe. Based in Bristol, one of the UK’s most exciting and forward-thinking cities, we are regionally embedded and globally connected, with an established network of employer and academic partners.

We offer a wide range of employee benefits including progressive pay rates, generous annual leave and career average pension schemes as well as retail savings, onsite nursery and opportunities for training and personal development. UWE Bristol recognises the power of a truly diverse university community. We are proud to be part of a vibrant, multicultural city that celebrates diversity, and we’re always looking for talented people from all backgrounds to join us. Our people are our strength, and diversity enhances our creativity and leads to better decision-making and problem-solving. Bring your talent and ambition to our growing community and find yourself in a stimulating and supportive environment where you’ll thrive.

We particularly encourage applications from global majority candidates as we are currently under-represented in this area of the organisation; however, all appointments are made strictly on individual merit. As a Disability Confident employer, we welcome applications from those who identify as having a disability.

This is a full-time, permanent post, working 37 hours per week. UWE Bristol is a campus-based University and it is vital to our success and the delivery of an outstanding experience for our students that our campuses are dynamic and vibrant places to learn and spend time. This role is therefore campus-based for at least 60 percent of your time, with the opportunity to work from home on the remaining days.

To ensure fairness and equity, all salary offers will be made in line with the University’s salary assessment guidelines and will be based on your relevant skills and experience. The University has a legal responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK. You will therefore be required to provide evidence of your right to work in the UK.

We’d love to hear from you - if you are excited about this opportunity please complete our application form as soon as possible. Tell us how your skills and experience relate to the requirements of this role by describing how you meet each of the essential and desirable criteria listed in the Person Specification section of the Job Description, and include specific examples wherever possible. Once we have completed shortlisting we will let you know the outcome of your application by email, so please check your inbox for updates. We will give a week’s notice before the interview. Please note: UWE reserves the right to close the vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications.