Business Engagement Support Manager

Role: Business Engagement Support Manager

Location: Bedford College – Cauldwell Street Campus OR Tresham College – Corby Campus

Salary/Benefits: Salary is between £39,697 and £46,349 per annum DOE and Qualifications, 27 days annual leave plus Bank holidays, People’s pension, Retail and Leisure Discounts, excellent professional and personal development opportunities, accessing college courses.

Hours/Weeks: 37 hours per week – 52 weeks per year

Contract Type: Permanent – Full Time

About the role:

We are currently seeking a Business Engagement Support Manager to join our Business Development department at The Bedford College Group.

As a Business Engagement Support Manager, you play an important role in the success of our students through:

• Strategic Leadership – Manage a high-performing team to meet targets for employer training, apprenticeship recruitment, and T-Level placements, ensuring delivery is on time and within budget.
• Recruitment Journey Oversight – Lead the end-to-end apprentice recruitment process, from enquiry to enrolment, maximising conversions and minimising early withdrawals through effective systems and support.
• Team & Performance Management – Conduct appraisals, set objectives, hold regular meetings, and drive continuous improvement through CRM insights, KPI tracking, and staff development.
• Stakeholder Engagement – Collaborate with internal teams, employers, and schools to promote apprenticeships, maintain accurate course listings, and lead on events like National Apprenticeship Week.
• Compliance & Quality Assurance – Ensure adherence to safeguarding, funding, and data protection policies, while maintaining accurate CRM records and contributing to strategic planning and reporting.

About you:

• Qualifications & Experience – Holds GCSEs in English and Maths, with a Level 4 qualification (or willingness to study), and a strong track record in project or team management, customer service, and CRM use.
• Commercial & Regional Insight – Demonstrates business acumen, target-driven performance, and knowledge of Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire, and surrounding areas.
• Leadership & Communication – Skilled in leading teams, networking, and promoting services, with excellent written and verbal communication, listening, and presentation abilities.
• Technical & Organisational Skills – Proficient in Microsoft Office and CRM systems, with strong administrative, analytical, and reporting capabilities, and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Professionalism & Flexibility – Committed to safeguarding, equality, and continuous development, with a flexible, proactive approach, professional appearance, and access to a car for regional travel.

For a more detailed breakdown of the job role and the requirements, please see the Job Description attached to this vacancy.

Interviews to be held: 13 – 15 August 2025

Successful candidates must also be able to demonstrate alignment to our organisationalVISION values:

• Valuing Teamwork – We are one team who by working together can achieve great things, respecting the opinion and valuing the contribution each of us makes.
• Improving Continuously – We challenge ourselves to always do better by trying new things, sharing knowledge, reflecting on practice and learning from others.
• Student Centred – At our heart is always doing what is best for our students. We consider students in all of our decision making to create positive outcomes and memorable experiences for every student.
• Inclusive – We celebrate differences and diversity, recognising that we can learn from each other.
• Open and Caring – We care about the wellbeing of our staff, our students, our community and wider society, creating an environment built on trust where we listen, engage with and support each other.
• Nurturing Education Excellence – We promote educational excellence by delivering programmes that challenge our students to achieve their ambitions.

About The Bedford College Group
The Bedford College Group was formed in 2017 following the merger of Bedford College and Tresham College and is now the largest provider of education in the South East Midlands, with over 15,000 students passing through our doors each year.

Today, the Group is made up of a family of colleges across Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire: Bedford College, Central Bedfordshire College and Tresham College in the towns of Bedford, Dunstable, Leighton Buzzard, Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough; Shuttleworth College, a specialist land-based college; The Bedford Sixth Form, (the only dedicated sixth form in Bedford); The Corby Sixth Form, (opened in September 2023); and the National College for Motorsport alongside Silverstone race circuit. To widen accessibility to education and training, the Group also has community-based Learning Centres in Bedford, Corby and Kettering which offer IT training.

Safeguarding our Students
The Bedford College Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to thorough vetting process which includes, an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Exceptions Order 1975, provides information about which convictions must be declared during job applications and related exceptions and further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS filtering guide. The Bedford College Group’s policy on Employment of Ex-Offenders is attached to this vacancy.

Candidates who are barred from working with children are reminded it is a criminal offence to apply for this post.

Documents

TBCG Ex-Offenders Policy.pdf

JD and PS Business Engagement Support Manager (1).docx