Employer Partnership Manager

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a network of employers across a range of sectors, generating sustainable employment, work placement and apprenticeship opportunities whilst promoting the benefits of the Youth Guarantee programme.
• Proactively source, negotiate and manage a pipeline of quality-assured vacancies and placements that meet employer workforce needs and participant demand.
• Build trusted employer relationships through business development activity, networking, workplace visits and regular employer engagement, identifying recruitment challenges and creating inclusive employment opportunities.
• Develop an in-depth understanding of employer requirements, workplace culture, progression pathways and success factors to support effective job matching and sustainable outcomes.
• Use job matching and reverse marketing techniques to connect participants with suitable employment opportunities and create bespoke opportunities where required.
• Act as the primary liaison between participants and employers throughout the recruitment, onboarding and in-work support process, facilitating introductions, tasters and three-way discussions where appropriate.
• Agree onboarding arrangements, workplace support, reasonable adjustments and employment success plans to support successful job starts and retention.
• Complete vocational profiling and strengths-based assessments to identify participant aspirations, skills, barriers, support needs and employment goals.
• Develop and review Individual Support Plans, providing targeted coaching, job search support and interview preparation to enable progression into employment, placements, apprenticeships or training.
• Coordinate access to specialist and community-based support services to address barriers that may impact employment outcomes or sustainment.
• Provide ongoing in-work support to participants and employers, monitoring progress, addressing emerging issues and implementing appropriate interventions to maximise retention and progression.
• Work collaboratively with Jobcentre Plus, training providers, community organisations and other stakeholders to maximise employment opportunities and participant outcomes.
• Maintain accurate records of employer engagement, vacancies, participant activity and contractual outcomes, ensuring compliance with programme requirements.
• Gather and utilise employer and participant feedback to support continuous improvement and a high-quality customer experience.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• GCSE English and Maths (or equivalent) (Essential)
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle (Essential)
• Understanding of Safeguarding Requirements when working with young people (Essential)
• Level 3 qualification (or equivalent experience) in Employability, Business, Recruitment, Advice & Guidance, Youth Work or a related field. (Desirable)
• Information, Advice and Guidance qualification (IAG Level 3 or above). (Desirable)
• Employer Engagement, Sales or Account Management training. (Desirable)
• Mental Health First Aid, Safeguarding or Youth Work qualifications. (Desirable)
• Knowledge of DWP-funded employability programmes and Youth Guarantee delivery. (Desirable)

• Excellent relationship building and networking. (Essential)
• Strong Sales and business development/negotiation skills (Essential)
• Strong verbal and written communication (Essential)
• Strong IT skills (Desirable)
• Experience delivering presentations/workshops and employer briefings. (Desirable)
• Ability to analyse labour market intelligence. (Desirable)
• Experience leading employer events, recruitment fairs or sector based events. (Desirable)

• Knowledge of empl4yer recruitment practices and workforce needs (Essential)
• Understanding of Employment barriers affecting 18-25 (Essential)
• Knowledge of local labour market trends (Essential)
• Knowledge of local and regional economic priorities (Desirable)
• Knowledge of apprenticeship funding and work placements (Desirable)
• Understanding of supported employment methodologies (Desirable)

• Proven experience in recruitment, employer engagement, business development, sales, account management, employment services or a similar employer-facing environment. (Essential)
• Experience developing employer relationships and generating vacancies, placements or employment opportunities. (Essential)
• Strong networking, business development and relationship-building skills. (Essential)
• Ability to identify employer needs and convert discussions into recruitment or placement opportunities. (Essential)
• Experience matching candidates to vacancies and supporting successful recruitment outcomes. (Essential)
• Knowledge of local labour markets, employer recruitment practices and workforce trends. (Essential)
• Strong communication, influencing and negotiation skills. (Essential)
• Ability to manage a pipeline of employers, vacancies and participants simultaneously. (Essential)
• Experience working to performance targets, outcomes and contractual requirements. (Essential)
• Welfare-to-work, employability or supported employment experience. (Desirable)
• Experience working with young people. (Desirable)
• Knowledge of apprenticeships, traineeships and skills pathways. (Desirable)
• Understanding of barriers faced by disadvantaged or underrepresented groups. (Desirable)
• Experience using reverse marketing, job carving or supported employment methodologies. (Desirable)

Benefits

• Flexible working including home-based, centre-based, or hybrid job role dependant
• Up to 26 days annual leave, with the option to purchase up to 10 additional days
• Pension scheme to support your long-term financial wellbeing
• Training and professional development, including CPD workshops and professional qualifications
• Westfield Health Scheme with benefits including 13 healthcare services, cashback towards essential health bills, counselling and therapy treatments, fast access to MRI, CT, and PET scans, and discounted shopping vouchers
• Wellbeing initiatives including Wellbeing Wednesdays and the Mental Health at Work Pledge
• Disability Confident Leader, Menopause Workplace Pledge, Armed Forces Covenant, Ban the Box Employer, and secure prayer spaces
• Annual paid volunteering day and charity initiatives
• Cash incentives for Employee of the Month and Employee of the Year awards
• £500 Recommend a friend scheme