Employer Engagement Officer - Jobs Guarantee Programme
Education Development Trust (edt), a not-for-profit organisation that improves education and skills outcomes, is looking for an Employer Engagement Officer to join its Jobs Guarantee Sunderland team. The Jobs Guarantee Programme is a flagship national programme funded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), supporting young people aged 18–24 into meaningful paid work through fully funded work placements, training and wraparound support.
This is a full-time permanent role (37 hours per week), hybrid, with regular travel to sites across the Sunderland area. Salary: £34,143 per annum FTE.
Responsibilities:
- Engage with employers across a range of sectors to generate new opportunities and build a strong pipeline of Jobs Guarantee roles.
- Develop and maintain positive relationships with local employers and employer networks.
- Work closely with Opportunity Advisers and the Delivery Manager to ensure opportunities meet participant and programme needs.
- Keep up to date with the local labour market, growth sectors and recruitment trends.
- Support employers before, during and after placements to achieve successful, sustainable outcomes.
- Complete employer eligibility, compliance, Health & Safety and vetting checks.
- Maintain accurate employer, vacancy and placement information using CRM and programme systems.
- Work towards agreed monthly targets and contribute to overall programme performance.
- Collaborate with employability programmes across the region to share opportunities.
Requirements:
- Experience in a sales or target-driven environment.
- Experience in employer engagement, account management, recruitment or business development, with a strong track record of developing employer relationships and generating employment opportunities.
- Excellent networking, communication, influencing and negotiation skills.
- Strong stakeholder relationship management experience.
- Experience of compliance and vetting activities and of using a CRM system.
- Good understanding of local labour market trends, employer needs and recruitment practices.
- Understanding of inclusive recruitment, equality, reasonable adjustments and accessible employment.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and work to deadlines.
- Knowledge of employability and skills programmes such as Apprenticeships, Restart or Connect to Work is advantageous. A full driving licence is ideal.
Benefits include 30 days holiday plus bank holidays (pro rata), 2 days paid volunteering per year, matched pension scheme, life assurance, health care cash plan, cycle to work scheme, wellbeing app and access to a training portal.
Closing date: 2026-11-08
HOW TO APPLY:
Complete and submit a fully completed application form through the Education Development Trust careers website. Deadline: midnight Sunday 8th November 2026 (vacancy may close early if sufficient applications are received). No sponsorship offered; candidates must already have the right to work in the UK. An enhanced DBS check is required.
https://careers.educationdevelopmenttrust.com/vacancies/3591/employer-engagement-officer--jobs-guarantee-programme.html