Industry Engagement Lead in Wigan

As the Industry Engagement Lead, you will be at the heart of connecting QUEST's educational provision with the world of work. This is a unique opportunity to lead the Trust's employer engagement strategy, particularly developing the University Technical College (UTC) in Bolton and expanding apprenticeship pathways.

Responsibilities:

• Building and maintaining strategic partnerships with local, regional, and national employers to create impactful work experience, mentoring, and apprenticeship opportunities.
• Driving growth in vocational pathways and ensuring pupils and students have access to meaningful employment placements aligned with their career aspirations.
• Leading the implementation of employability strategies across our Trust, embedding employability skills within the curriculum and extracurricular activities.
• Representing QUEST in external forums and aligning our work with regional and national skills strategies.
• Supporting pupils and employers throughout the placement process, from preparation to assessment and ongoing support.

This is a role with significant influence and scope for innovation, where your efforts will directly contribute to shaping young lives and enhancing workforce readiness in our community.

What we are looking for:

• Experience in education, recruitment, sales or a similar industry.
• A genuine passion for empowering young people and a proven ability to build strong, professional relationships with employers and partners.
• Experience working with young people and engaging employers in education or recruitment settings.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, confidence, and a persuasive manner to inspire and negotiate with a variety of stakeholders.
• Highly organised, accountable, and able to manage multiple projects while maintaining a keen eye for detail.
• Commitment to inclusivity, safeguarding, and upholding the Trust's values of professionalism, compassion, responsibility, respect, loyalty, and kindness.
• Proactive, creative, and ready to contribute to a dynamic team environment, sharing best practices and ideas to continually improve our employer engagement offer.

A relevant degree or equivalent qualification is essential, and experience in employer engagement or business management is highly desirable.

Position details:

Join QUEST Academy Trust and help shape the future of young people from Early Years to Employment. Are you passionate about building meaningful connections between education and industry? Do you want to make a real difference by expanding career opportunities for children and young people across the Northwest? QUEST Academy Trust is seeking an enthusiastic and driven Industry Engagement Lead to join our vibrant team and lead the development of employer partnerships that empower our pupils and students to succeed in their career journeys.

Salary: QUEST Grade H NJC 29-34 £39,862 - £45,091 (37 hours per week / full year - term time can be discussed)

How to apply: Please submit your application to apply@quest-trust.org.uk

Further information: For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Mr. Marc Doyle (CEO) 07748458006

QUEST Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. An enhanced DBS clearance will be required for the successful applicant.

Join us at QUEST Academy Trust and become a vital part of a community dedicated to unlocking potential, nurturing growth, and preparing young people for a successful future beyond school. We look forward to receiving your application.

What the school offers its staff:

• Wellness Day - An additional day leave for you to spend time on your own wellness; a day to rest and recuperate, bringing your best selves back to work.
• The chance to work within a forward-thinking, supportive Trust dedicated to professional development and continuous improvement.
• Opportunities to make a real impact on the career readiness and futures of young people.
• A collaborative and values-driven culture where your expertise and contributions are valued and celebrated.
• Access to ongoing training and development aligned with the Trust's commitment to staff growth.
• Family Friendly Policies.
• Comprehensive CPD opportunities.
• Pension scheme.
• The opportunity to lead within a supportive and ambitious Trust committed to your professional growth.
• A culture that values wellbeing, collaboration, and shared success.
• Access to ongoing leadership development and coaching opportunities.
• The satisfaction of making a tangible difference to pupils' lives and futures.

About QUEST Academy Trust:

QUEST Academy Trust is a flourishing multi-academy trust rooted in strong Christian values, committed to providing a caring, thoughtful, and high-quality education across our family of five schools and nursery settings. Serving over 1700 pupils aged 0 to 19, we nurture each child's potential through a curriculum and community that reflect their unique needs. Our vision is clear: to prepare young minds for a lifelong quest for knowledge, character, and service. Our mission - Supporting young people from Early Years to Employment - drives every decision we make. We are proud to foster a professional and compassionate culture where responsibility, respect, loyalty, and kindness shape everything we do. As we continue to grow, we are focused on building strong governance, enhancing accountability, and creating lasting partnerships to improve outcomes and experiences for all our pupils.