About

You can find out more about B2B on our website and on LinkedIn.

Main Responsibilities:

1. Business Development & Growth Strategy

• Lead the implementation of the organisation’s growth strategy working collaboratively with senior leaders and external consultants.
• Identify, explore and develop opportunities for new business within the employment and skills training sector, including adult skills training, skills bootcamps and emerging programmes in response to commissioner opportunities
• Develop and deliver clear business plans to increase revenue streams and improve market presence in the skills training sector.
• Collaborate with the operational areas to develop partnerships that support future bidding and growth opportunities.
• Support the preparation of supplemental bid requirements and contribute to the review of bid drafts. Facilitate the sign-off of supply chains with operational leads prior to bid submissions.

2. Stakeholder & Partnership Management

• Develop and build collaborative partnerships with combined authorities, local authorities, awarding bodies, and sector-specific networks.
• Maintain an overview of combined authorities and local authorities future contracting timelines and insights through regular scanning of forward looks, Board and Committee papers, bringing together insights to shape bid responses.
• Develop and lead partnerships with FE Colleges.
• Represent the organisation at key industry events, conferences, and networking forums to strengthen the organisation’s reputation.
• Promote the training provider as a trusted partner in workforce development, locally initially and then regionally.

3. Employer Engagement

• Work closely with the Employer Engagement Team to shape their work in building and maintain strong relationships with employers, and industry bodies to drive engagement and generate new skills training opportunities and a portfolio offer to businesses.

4. Funding & Performance

• Set KPIs and objectives to measure business development performance and revenue growth.
• Oversee skills delivery performance, forecast opportunities, and respond to risks to funding sustainability.
• Provide regular reports on new business pipelines, employer engagement activity, and funding performance to senior leadership.
• Analyse performance data to inform strategic decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Support the funding and compliance team to develop a robust understanding of adult education funding rules across commissioners

Key Skills & Competencies

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to contribute to the organisation’s business growth strategy and align operational activities to long-term goals.
• Employer Engagement: Skilled in building partnerships, managing relationships, and creating opportunities for employer-funded training.
• Commercial Expertise: Understanding of funding mechanisms with combined and local authorities, and revenue streams
• Compliance Expertise: Knowledge of quality standards.
• Networking: Proven ability to establish relationships with employers, industry bodies, and other stakeholders.
• Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written skills to influence, negotiate, and collaborate with diverse audiences.
• Data Analysis: Ability to interpret data to measure impact, identify opportunities, and drive improvements.

Experience & Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in business development, employer engagement, and stakeholder management within the Further Education (FE), or skills training sector.
• Strong understanding of funding mechanisms, and training delivery requirements.
• Proven track record of securing new business and driving revenue growth.
• Experience of working with ESFA contracts, levy-paying employers, and sector-specific partnerships.
• Proficiency in CRM systems, reporting tools, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Professional qualifications or relevant experience in education, training, or business development (desirable).

Benefits

• Salary up to £55000 per annum depending on experience
• Annual increment based on performance
• 32 days annual leave (including public/ bank holidays)
• 1 day paid birthday holiday
• Flexible working hours with option for condensed hours
• Hybrid working with 2-3 days office based each week depending on business need
• Business mileage fully covered (other than commute)
• Pension contributions
• Employee Assistance Program
• Healthcare Cash Plan on completion of Probation Review
• Employee wellbeing
• Eye care vouchers
• Refer a friend.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: Up to £55,000.00 per year

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Leicester, LE1 3HT: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Education:

• Certificate of Higher Education (required)

Experience:

• Employability and Skills sector: 3 years (required)
• Strategy and growth: 3 years (required)

Licence/Certification:

• Driving Licence (required)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Leicester, LE1 3HT