Employer Partnership Manager

The Employer Partnership Manager is a primarily employer-facing role focused on creating, sourcing and filling employment and work placement opportunities for young people participating in the Youth Guarantee programme. Working closely with employers, Jobcentre Plus and participants, the Employer Partnership Manager develops vacancy pipelines, builds sustainable employer partnerships and matches participants to quality employment opportunities. 

While the role includes vocational profiling, action planning and participant support, its primary focus is securing employment outcomes through effective employer engagement, vacancy generation and recruitment activity.

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

Qualification and Specific Training - 

• 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)

Skills - 

• 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 - 

• 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)

Experience - 

• 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