Business Development Manager

Job Opportunity: Business Development Manager – Apprenticeships
Location: Newcastle College
Start Date: January 2026
Contract: Temporary (Potential for Permanent) via The Supply Register 4 months initially 

Are you an experienced Business Development professional with strong knowledge of apprenticeships and employer engagement?
Newcastle College, in partnership with The Supply Register, is seeking a driven and commercially focused Business Development Manager to lead employer engagement and apprenticeship growth across key industry sectors.

This is a temporary opportunity with the potential to become permanent for the right candidate.

About the role:
As Business Development Manager, you will be accountable for achieving key financial and non-financial KPIs, increasing apprenticeship job starts, and growing market share across a defined cluster of industry sectors aligned to Newcastle College’s delivery areas.

You will lead and manage a team of Business Development Consultants, driving new business opportunities while maintaining and expanding existing employer relationships. The role combines strategic planning with hands-on employer engagement, ensuring compliance, quality, and commercial viability across all activity.

Key responsibilities:

• Achieve apprenticeship job start targets and wider business development KPIs.

• Lead, manage, and develop a team of Business Development Consultants.

• Identify and secure new employer partnerships aligned to growth opportunities.

• Account manage key employer relationships, growing market share and protecting existing business.

• Conduct employer visits to identify training, recruitment, and workforce development needs.

• Develop tailored apprenticeship and skills solutions in collaboration with curriculum teams.

• Maintain accurate records of employer engagement and activity using CRM systems.

• Ensure all activity is compliant with NCG processes, apprenticeship funding rules, and business procedures.

• Keep employers informed of apprenticeship reforms and sector developments.

• Contribute market intelligence and insights to senior leaders and delivery teams.

• Represent the college at employer networks, partnership meetings, and stakeholder events.

✅ What we’re looking for:

• Proven experience in a B2B business development or employer engagement role.

• Strong knowledge of apprenticeships, post-16 education, and workforce development.

• Experience of working to and achieving challenging KPIs and income targets.

• Previous experience managing or leading teams (or readiness to step into line management).

• Excellent account management, relationship-building, and influencing skills.

• Knowledge of apprenticeship funding rules and employer engagement processes.

• High-level communication, organisational, and IT skills (including Microsoft applications).

• Ability to work autonomously, manage priorities, and respond flexibly to employer demand.

• Commitment to NCG values, safeguarding, equality, and professional standards.

Why join us?

• Opportunity to work with a leading FE college driving apprenticeship growth and employer partnerships.

• Strategic role with real influence over regional skills development.

• Collaborative and supportive working environment.

• Temporary role with the potential to become permanent.

• Competitive pay and access to benefits through The Supply Register.

If you’re a results-driven Business Development professional ready to make an impact within further education and apprenticeships, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply today through The Supply Register and work in partnership with Newcastle College to shape employer engagement and skills growth.

 Safeguarding Statement:

The Supply Register and Newcastle College are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All staff are expected to share this commitment. This post is subject to satisfactory checks including an enhanced DBS disclosure and references.