Business Engagement Manager
Education Outreach Programmes
Are you an experienced, persuasive and purpose-driven business engagement professional with a passion for increasing the attainment, aspirations and skills of all young people across the UK to meet the needs of our UK economy? STEM Learning are looking for an innovative Business Engagement Manager to lead a strategic approach to ‘scaling up’ employer and partner engagement with UK schools and colleges – principally through the UK’s highly successful STEM Ambassadors scheme - to improve the life opportunities for thousands of young people.
The Business Engagement Manager will play a significant role in building the capacity and capability for system improvement across employers and key sectors to engage with educators more effectively. Through engaging industry, HEIs and partners, we aim to create a powerful community of highly effective ‘STEM evangelists’, supporting the growth of technical and vocational education required to achieve the UK’s ambitions as a Science Superpower.
About Us
STEM Learning’s vision is to improve lives through STEM education. We are dedicated to improving young people’s lives through the power of STEM and believe great STEM education builds knowledge and skills that are vital for everyone.
To achieve this, we provide a range of support to formal and informal education, including subject-specific professional development for teachers and other educators, quality assured resources, support for STEM Clubs, and student-facing experiences.
We lead the STEM Ambassadors programme, which enables 28,000 individuals from more than 5,000 employers to share their enthusiasm and expertise with young people and teachers throughout the UK (classroom activities, career talks, etc.).
The Role
This is a newly created management role within the Enrichment team, responsible for the operational leadership and delivery of business development and engagement of our business-education stakeholders and supporters.
This role is instrumental in driving up the number of employers and partners that work with STEM Learning so that more young people benefit from the education outreach and volunteering programmes delivered by STEM Learning.
The role will work strategically with a variety of stakeholders to lead STEM Learning’s ambitions for employer and partner engagement, including collaboration with universities and research institutions, aligned to local and regional needs alongside addressing national skills priorities.
To achieve STEM Learning’s vision, key deliverables for this role will include:
- Strategic engagement with employers and sector organisations to help tackle the skills shortages in research, innovation and STEM sectors across the UK.
- Harnessing the power of engagement with public, private and third sector businesses - individually and collectively - including Higher Education Institutions and Research Institutes to leverage strong engagement and collaboration.
- Working innovatively across the business and with key external partners to deliver our ambitions for direct pupil engagement supporting all young people and ensuring access for those students most in need of support to enhance diversity and inclusion in STEM.
- Leading outreach efforts to expand the organisation's client base and diversify revenue streams, cultivating relationships with corporate partners and other stakeholders to generate leads and secure partnerships
- Developing and implementing strategies to generate revenue through bespoke STEM education programmes, services, sponsorships and related offerings identifying new opportunities for income generation.
- Act as a trusted advisor to businesses, offering strategic consulting services tailored to their specific needs and objectives, conducting thorough needs assessments and analyses to understand client challenges and opportunities.
- Driving innovation in the way STEM Learning engages with employers, professional bodies and others – building knowledge and confidence, creating momentum, a feeling of community and commitment to STEM education. Sharing insights and thought leadership through presentations, workshops, and publications to position the organisation as a leader in the field.
- Collaboration with partners to develop innovative and mutually beneficial initiatives and projects aimed at promoting and improving STEM education outreach in schools.
- Planning and executing inspiring events, workshops, and networking opportunities to engage partners and stakeholders to strengthen relationships, showcase achievements and promote STEM Learning’s mission and initiatives.
Our Ideal Candidate
We’re looking for someone with a background of leading a team to success including setting strategies and meeting operational targets. You will have strong commercial acumen and substantial experience of working collaboratively to achieve success.
Ideally you will be an active player working across industry and education partnership, working to tackle the skills and education challenges through employee volunteering and education outreach programmes.
You'll be the type of person who has an innate desire for continuous improvement and innovation, pro-actively championing business partnering and seeking to understand the changing needs of the economy and the education sector.
You'll see the bigger picture and relish operating at pace to translate strategies into operational plans and tangible outcomes across the education and skills agenda.
You’ll have outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, able to influence positively across all levels both internally and externally, while engaging with and managing stakeholder relationships.
Further Information
Download the full Role Profile to find out more.
Location
Hybrid – Home based or York office (regular attendance in York office required)
The role holder will be required to undertake UK travel and occasional overnight stays. Flexibility of working hours will be required to meet the demands of the role at key times.
Our Benefits
- 30 days holidays plus bank holidays
- Access to an excellent pension scheme
- A comprehensive employee assistance programme
- Access to a voluntary staff benefits scheme including cycle to work loan scheme; health cash back plans; free eye tests; discounted vouchers and much more
Take a look at our benefits brochure to find out more about the benefits we offer.
Next Steps
Closing date for applications: Midnight Sunday 27 October 2024
First stage interviews: Tuesday 12 November 2024 (via Teams)
Second stage interviews: Tuesday 19 or Wednesday 20 November 2024 (in person – York)
To Apply
Please provide us with:
- Your up-to-date CV including the contact details of two referees (please note, references will not be approached without your permission)
- A covering letter (no more than the equivalent of 2 sides of A4) explaining your interest in the role and why you think you would be the ideal candidate.
STEM Learning strives to be diverse and inclusive – a place where we can ALL be ourselves. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and communities, and are committed to employing teams with diverse abilities, skills, and experiences.
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Last updated on Oct 7, 2024