Employer Partnership Officer

Join Bradford College and play a key role in shaping the future construction workforce across West Yorkshire.

We are seeking a relationship-focused Employer Partnership Officer to develop strategic partnerships with construction employers in order to create high-quality industry placement opportunities for our learners.

This unique role will help bridge the gap between education and employment, supporting learners to progress into apprenticeships, jobs and other positive destinations while contributing to regional initiatives that address critical construction skills shortages.

Please note that this is a Full Time, Fixed Term role working 37 hours per week and running up until the end of July 2027.

Responsibilities include:

• Identify, engage and develop relationships with construction employers, contractors, subcontractors, community settings, and industry partners across West Yorkshire.

• Generate new work placement opportunities for learners studying construction programmes.

• Develop sustainable partnerships with employers that support both placement and employment opportunities.

• Represent the College at employer forums, networking events, sector meetings and industry engagement activities.

• Act as the primary point of contact for employers participating in the programme.

• Promote the benefits of engaging with learners through placements, recruitment opportunities, apprenticeships and skills development initiatives.

• Build and maintain a comprehensive database of employer contacts and partnership activity

• Lead on the sourcing, negotiation and establishment of work placements for Level 2 and Level 3 construction learners.

• Work closely with curriculum teams to understand learner needs and align placement opportunities with vocational pathways.

• Ensure placements meet project requirements, funding objectives and employer expectations.

• Coordinate employer onboarding processes and ensure all relevant documentation is completed.

• Monitor placement capacity and forecast future placement requirements.

• Work collaboratively with Work Experience Officers to ensure efficient placement allocation and administration.

• Develop opportunities for learners to progress from work placements into employment, apprenticeships or further training.

• Identify current and future recruitment opportunities within partner organisations.

• Liaise with employers to understand workforce shortages, recruitment needs and emerging skills demands.

• Match suitable learners with employment opportunities and support progression planning.

• Track and report learner progression outcomes following placement completion.

• Develop employer-led recruitment initiatives including mock interviews and recruitment events.

The Ideal Candidate

Our ideal candidate will be a learner and quality-focused with a commitment to our vision of working together to transform lives. You should be able to contribute to our journey to Outstanding, creating a positive working and study environment, and Equity, Diversity & Inclusion should be embedded within your core values.

As part of the hiring process, candidates may be required to complete a psychometric test, which will provide valuable insight into your potential fit within Bradford College.

Education & Training

• GCSE 4 – 9 or equivalent level 2 qualification in Maths, or be prepared to pass a test before the interview to demonstrate level 2 ability, and then, if appointed, achieve within an agreed timescale

• GCSE 4 - 9 or equivalent level 2 qualification in English, or be prepared to pass a test before the interview to demonstrate level 2 ability, and then, if appointed, achieve within an agreed timescale

Experience

• Experience of employer engagement, business development or partnership working.

• Experience of developing relationships with employers and external stakeholders.

• Understanding of the construction industry and workforce challenges.

• Experience of meeting performance targets and delivering measurable outcomes.

• Experience of working with young people, education providers or skills programmes.

• Knowledge of employability, apprenticeships and progression pathways.

For an informal discussion about the role, please email recruit@bradfordcollege.ac.uk

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, depending on the level of interest and number of applications, so early application is advised.

Please note that if you are successful and accept a role, any other ongoing applications for other roles with us will be withdrawn automatically.

RECRUITMENT AGENCIES

We kindly request that recruitment agencies not forward any unsolicited CVs in relation to any of our advertised roles or speculatively. If we require support with any of our vacancies, we will get in touch with agencies directly.

• We do not recognise submissions of unsolicited or speculative CV applications from recruitment agencies.

• We shall not be liable for any fee /commission in the event we employ a candidate that may have been submitted as an unsolicited/speculative application from an uninstructed recruitment agency.

Bradford College

At Bradford College, our ambition is to transform the lives of our learners, help them to aim higher and support them to achieve their goals.

Located in the heart of Bradford, we offer a wide range of courses at varying levels, with something to suit everyone. From undergraduate to postgraduate and professional qualifications, to distance learning and short community courses.

We aim to attract and retain knowledgeable, passionate and focused individuals who can inspire, motivate and support both learners and colleagues. With a can-do attitude and desire for continuous self-improvement, you could make a difference in the lives of everyone at Bradford College.

Should you be shortlisted for an interview, as a Disability Confident employer, where required, we will make reasonable adjustments to your interview to ensure you are given the best opportunity to succeed. If you require any additional support or reasonable adjustments for the interview, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us to discuss your options.

Bradford College is proud to be working towards becoming a Menopause Friendly Accredited Employer. This commitment reflects our dedication to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace for all staff. We are implementing policies, resources, and awareness initiatives to ensure everyone feels valued and supported through every stage of life.

Benefits of working at Bradford College:

• Generous annual leave entitlement – equivalent to 30 days of holidays, plus bank holidays

• Additional college closure days, including a 2-week Christmas closure

• West Yorkshire Pension Scheme, with a generous 18% employer contribution

• Annual salary reviews

• Career progression opportunities – 54% of all vacancies are filled internally

• Free sports and gym facilities

• Free wellbeing initiatives and access to our exclusive staff indoor and outdoor wellbeing space

• Confidential employee assistance service and on-site mental health first aiders

• Access to Bradford College benefits hub, offering retail, travel, leisure and dining discounts and cashback

• Discounts on greener travel – cycle to work scheme & local MetroCard and Northern Rail discounts

• Access to hair and beauty treatments in our student-led Signature Spa

• On-site dining facilities, including our award-winning Grove restaurant

• A host of training development opportunities

• Fantastic campus facilities, a short walk to public transport links in the heart of the City of Culture 2025

• The opportunity to work for an organisation that is truly committed to creating a better future for all through education and training.

• If you have the drive to further develop your skills and abilities, you will be given the support and opportunities you need to enhance your career. This includes access to in-house training and CPD, professional and academic qualifications and mentoring.

Bradford College is committed to supporting and promoting diversity and inclusion amongst our staff and student body. We promote applications across all sections of the community, recognising the benefits a diverse workforce can bring and therefore particularly encourage applications from groups which are underrepresented in our workforce.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults and expect staff and volunteers to share this commitment. In line with our statutory safeguarding requirements detailed in Keeping Children Safe in Education legislation, this role is subject to an enhanced DBS check, employment references, health screening and social media search.

Please be aware that it is a criminal offence to apply for this post if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity in connection with children and vulnerable adults.