Head of Employer Engagement

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.