Head of Employer Engagement
Salary: £70,268 – £81,979
Contract: Permanent
Location: Home-based with UK travel
About the Role
We are seeking an exceptional Head of Employer Engagement to lead and deliver a cohesive, organisation-wide employer engagement strategy. This is a standalone leadership role working closely with the Senior Leadership Team and operational colleagues to create a unified, high-impact approach to engaging employers across all divisions.
You will act as the organisation’s principal ambassador for employer relationships, shaping national conversations, influencing labour market practice, and driving ambitious employer-focused outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Develop and implement a comprehensive Employer Engagement Strategy that defines organisational objectives and provides a service portfolio meeting the needs of all operating divisions.
- Lead delivery against KPIs aligned to employer strategy and contribute to job outcome performance across programmes.
- Oversee the design and implementation of new services that embed best practice in employer engagement.
Internal Capacity Building
- Build capability within operational teams to deliver high-quality employer engagement at local and regional levels, including with SMEs.
- Work with colleagues to improve systems for capturing and managing employer relationships, including exploring opportunities for automation and AI.
External Influence & Relationships
- Act as the organisation’s primary spokesperson on employer issues, securing speaking opportunities and producing thought-leadership content.
- Maintain strategic relationships with the organisation’s most committed employer partners and support the growth of employer networks at scale.
- Collaborate with employer engagement leads across similar providers to ensure joined-up approaches for national employers.
Market Insight & Service Improvement
- Monitor labour market trends and apply insight to shape strategies and services.
- Coordinate the collection and analysis of employer feedback to drive continuous service improvement.
Commercial and Partnership Development
- Support the development of a commercial sales strategy to promote employer-funded services that enhance social value commitments.
- Act as Subject Matter Expert in competitive tenders, evidencing effective employer engagement solutions.
Governance, Compliance & Professional Standards
- Promote safe working practices and uphold responsibilities under Health and Safety legislation.
- Adhere to safeguarding standards and contribute to maintaining a safe environment for all stakeholders.
- Ensure confidentiality, data protection compliance, and effective risk management.
- Uphold organisational values and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Person Specification
Technical Skills and Knowledge
- Degree-level education and/or significant relevant experience.
- Strong technical competence in employer engagement, including networking, communication, and relationship management.
- Evidence of ongoing professional development.
- Ability to influence and lead beyond direct reporting lines.
- Excellent written, verbal, and public-speaking skills.
Experience
- Senior-level experience in Employer Engagement, Employment Services, Recruitment, or Account Management.
- A proven record of designing and delivering organisational strategies.
- Demonstrable achievement of targets and outcomes.
- Strong understanding of publicly funded employability and skills provision (e.g., DWP programmes, apprenticeships, bootcamps).
- Knowledge of employer accreditations, good work principles, and employment legislation.
- Experience building strategic employer relationships and understanding labour market trends.
- Senior management experience within a large organisation.
- Proven partnership working with internal and external stakeholders.
- Experience delivering significant change, improving systems, and forward financial planning is advantageous.
Skills and Attributes
- Excellent IT skills and familiarity with Microsoft Office and CRM/databases.
- Strong commercial awareness and project management capability.
- Ability to build effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
- Supportive leadership style with the ability to motivate and inspire.
- Strategic thinking and high personal credibility.
- Ability to deliver efficiencies and improved outcomes is beneficial.
Personal Qualities
- Demonstrates organisational values through leadership and conduct.
- Strong relationship-building and stakeholder management skills.
- Commits to equality, diversity, and inclusive recruitment practices.
- Willing to travel throughout the UK, including occasional overnight stays.
