Employer Engagement Manager

Our sector-leading Future Skills programme successfully creates skills development opportunities for students in the curriculum and builds talent pipelines and pathways with employers. In this role, you will oversee the scaling up of employer partnerships through strategic business development and relationship management to ensure that the needs of both students and employers are met. Leading a dynamic team of eight staff supporting employer partnerships and mentoring programmes, you’ll also have responsibility for overseeing our biannual Careers Festival.

This is a strategic, outward‑facing role where you’ll build and maintain strong relationships with key employers, act as the institutional expert on the graduate labour market, and drive innovation in how we connect students with industry leading to strong graduate outcomes.

The Person

You will bring a strong track record of leading employer engagement or business development activity, ideally in an education or early talent setting. You’ll understand the evolving graduate labour market, be well-connected across sectors and be committed to creating meaningful opportunities for students.

We’re looking for:

-        Strategic thinking with practical delivery – you can develop partnership models and engagement strategies, and you’re willing to get involved in making them happen

-        Strong project management – you can deliver complex initiatives involving multiple stakeholders

-        Team leadership – you’ll bring structure and clarity to the team and nurture a collaborative working environment

-        Relationship management – you’re skilled at building partnerships, managing key accounts and working university-wide and across external organisations

-        Strong communication and negotiation – you will be able to represent the University confidently

Directorate/Function

The Careers and Employability Service is part of the Department of Student Development and Graduate Success (SDGS) within the Directorate of Students. The wider Directorate’s key aim is to deliver a seamless, high-quality experience for all students to ensure they are “sought after”, supporting their participation, attainment, and success before, during and after their time at Kingston. This in turn will create a culture of high performance that is inclusive, innovative, ambitious and enterprising. 

Further information

This is a full time, permanent position with a competitive salary range, starting from £60,996 per annum. 

Interviews are expected to take place in person on Monday 13 April 2026. 

Please contact Ali Orr, Student Development and Graduate Success Director for an informal conversation about the role. 

We offer a range of benefits, including:

• 35 days annual leave Full time equivalent
• Generous pension scheme (LGPS or TPS)
• Employee Assistance Programme helps with any work-related problems having a wider impact on your life and gives you access to the savings centre
• Discounts on Perks a Work
• Course fee waiver scheme and discounted courses across the University
• Learn new skills with priority access to thousands of courses via LinkedIn Learning
• Season ticket loans up to £10,000 to help you spread the cost of commuting and get the best value for money.

Bring your true self, expertise, and passion to Kingston where we are continuing to strive to build a university where authentic inclusion and belonging is at its heart. Every one of our staff and students’ identities, backgrounds and diverse experiences makes us who we are - so harness and embrace yours by applying today. We welcome applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQ+ communities and those with disabilities.

We are a place-based organisation, proud of our location in Kingston and the civic role we play in our community. Our campuses inspire collaborative, innovative and creative communities. Being present on campus is important to us because it helps us to create a sense of belonging for both our staff and students. Therefore, staff are expected to be on campus for the majority of their working week.

Candidates must be able to demonstrate their eligibility to work in the UK in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006. Where required, this may include entry clearance or continued leave to remain under the Points Based Immigration Scheme. 

To apply click on ‘Apply Now’. If, for accessibility reasons, you need to apply in an alternative format, please email jobs@kingston.ac.uk or call the HR Shared Services team on 020 8417 3118.