Employer Engagement Manager (Talent and Skills)

Reports to: Head of Talent and Skills 

Works closely with: Programme Delivery Manager, Programme Leads, stakeholders, clients and prospective clients. 

Location / travel: The post holder will be based in Manchester at our office based on Oxford Road. Hybrid/flexible working available. See below. 

Start date: As soon as possible. We reserve the right to remove the advert should an excellent candidate be identified before this date so early applications are recommended.

Company Overview:

Our mission: Digital Growth. For Good. 

Manchester Digital is a leading, not for profit,  tech trade body based in Manchester, dedicated to fostering growth and collaboration within the regional digital and technology ecosystem. With a commitment to driving innovation and economic development, we provide a platform for digital and tech employers to connect, learn, collaborate and thrive. We are seeking a dynamic and driven employer engagement manager to lead our efforts in expanding our talent and skills portfolio; including digital apprenticeships, professional courses, and commercial sponsorship opportunities with tech employers and wider stakeholders.  

Position Overview:

As the Employer Engagement Manager, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the regional digital and technology sector. Your responsibilities will include building strong relationships with industry partners, driving the growth of our talent and skills portfolio to ensure they match employer needs, and developing commercial sponsorship opportunities that fuel our initiatives and support our mission. .

Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute a strategic employer engagement and business development plan to expand the talent and skills portfolio, including but not limited to targeted programmes and initiatives, higher-level digital apprenticeships, and professional courses.

• Identify and engage with potential partners and sponsors, including educational institutions, employers, and industry stakeholders, to enhance our talent development offerings.

• Collaborate closely with tech employers to understand their skills needs, and work to tailor and design programmes that address those needs effectively.

• Lead the sales efforts, including negotiation and closing of sponsorship agreements and partnership opportunities with tech employers and wider stakeholders.

• Work collaboratively with the marketing team to create compelling materials, presentations, and communications to promote talent development programmes and sponsorship opportunities.

• Stay up-to-date with apprenticeship regulations, funding models, and industry trends to ensure compliance and competitiveness.

• Foster and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including local and regional government bodies, educational institutions, and tech industry representatives.

• Evaluate the effectiveness of programmes, courses, and sponsorship engagements, providing insights for continuous improvement and previous reviews..

• Provide regular reports and updates and reports to the leadership team on business development activities, revenue growth, and challenges.

Job Specification:

• 3+ years of proven experience in sales, business development, or partnership management. It is advantageous if this is in the digital and technology sector and /or apprenticeships.

• Outstanding interpersonal, negotiation, and communication skills, with the ability to articulate the value of our initiatives and sponsorship opportunities effectively.

• Demonstrated track record of successfully closing deals, generating revenue, and fostering long-term partnerships.

• Strategic thinker with the ability to identify opportunities, anticipate challenges, and devise effective strategies.

• Self-motivated, capable of working independently, and collaborating effectively within a team.

• Proficiency in using CRM systems and other business development tools.

• Flexibility to attend events and meetings outside of regular business hours as required by the business.

• A passion for the tech and digital sector, with a genuine interest in contributing to its growth.

• Strong organisational skills and keen attention to detail, ensuring successful project management and execution.

• A well established  network of contacts within the education sector, tech industry, and government agencies is advantageous. 

Join Manchester Digital in shaping the future of the regional tech ecosystem. If you want to make a meaningful impact, apply now to become an integral part of our dynamic team. 

Equal opportunities

Manchester Digital recognises that equality of opportunity and the recognition and promotion of diversity are integral to its strengths. The following principles apply in respect of the organisations commitment to equality and diversity:

• To provide and promote equality of opportunity in all areas of its work and activity;

• To recognise and develop the diversity of skills and talent within its current and potential community;

• To ensure that all employees and prospective employees of the organisation are treated solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential without receiving any unjustified discrimination or unfavourable treatment on grounds such as age, disability, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender reassignment, trans status, socio-economic status or any other irrelevant distinction;

• To provide and promote a positive working, learning, and social environment which is free from prejudice, discrimination and any forms of harassment, bullying or victimisation;

• To promote good relations between individuals from different groups.

Applicants with disabilities 

Manchester Digital is keen to increase the number of disabled people it employs. We therefore encourage applications from individuals with a disability who are able to carry out the duties of the post. If you have special needs in relation to your application please contact our recruitment team. talentandskills@manchesterdigital.com 

Right to Work in the UK

Manchester Digital is unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role. Please ensure that you already have the legal right to work and reside in the UK.

Working week

The working week is Monday to Friday, 9am - 5:30pm and Friday 9am - 5pm, but there may be an occasional need to support or represent Manchester Digital at early morning or evening events. The team is in the office on Tuesday and Thursday but can work remotely on the other 3 days.

Benefits

• 25 days holiday per year

• Quarterly team activities 

• Workplace pension

• Hybrid/flexible working

• Target led bonus

Apply

Please send a copy of your CV and a covering letter outlining your suitability for this role to emma@manchesterdigital.com 

Interviews will be held as soon as we have enough suitable candidates. We reserve the right to remove the advert should an excellent candidate be identified before this date so early applications are recommended.

—---

About Manchester Digital 

Manchester Digital. Digital Growth for Good. 

Manchester Digital, the largest independent trade body for the digital and technology sector in the North West. Established for nearly 20 years, we have around 500 digital and technology businesses in our membership, including GCHQ, BBC, Auto Trader, On the Beach and The Very Group, who are committed to working with us to deliver relevant and impactful digital skills training and careers insights programmes with schools, colleges and local people  across Greater Manchester. 

As well as being a cohesive voice for the region’s industry and ensuring that its views are represented at a local and national government level, the organisation also galvanises the power of its network and takes direct action to solve specific issues and barriers impacting the sector’s growth.

Manchester Digital is renowned for the employer-led approach it has taken to solving the current skills gap. Each year we run a 5-day skills festival that connects over 150 businesses and 2000 school, college and university students and career changers to bridge the gap between industry and education and industry aligned upskilling.

We spearhead Digital Futures and Digital Her, school, college and career changer outreach programmes to support access and visibility of opportunities to underrepresented and marginalised groups reaching thousands of young people and careers .  

In 2016, we became an independent apprenticeship training provider as a direct call to action from the employers we represent. Since then we’ve developed Manchester Digital’s Apprenticeship Academy, a specialist independent provision offering truly accessible pathways into careers in technology. Our provision is aligned to the Digital Skills Audit, our annual research into areas of need within and across the ecosystem.

The three higher level apprenticeship pathways we currently offer are: 

• Software Development 

• Data Analyst 

• Business Analyst 

Find out more about who we are and what we do: www.manchesterdigital.com and specifically the Talent and Skills work we do here: www.manchesterdigital.com/talent-and-skills