Head of Employer Engagement & Partnerships

Reed in Partnership has been delivering public services since 1998. We are a British, family-owned company, whose mission has always been to positively transform people and their communities. This is reflected in our services, which we deliver to help people from all backgrounds and circumstances to change their lives for the better.

Pay Range

£50,000 to £55,000

Working Hours/Pattern: 

Full-time, although we would be happy to consider applicants who are looking to work on a part time basis. If you would like to explore this further please discuss this with the talent partner for this role. Please note our ability to accommodate flexible working arrangements will vary from role to role, dependent on business requirements. 

Job Description

Do you have proven experience of leading employer engagement activity and securing opportunities through employer partnerships?

Do you have experience of leading and developing teams whilst driving performance through employer engagement strategies and labour market insight?

Then consider the role of Head of Employer Engagement & Partnerships at Reed in Partnership! 

Please Note, these roles are expressions of interest only at this point. We are currently working on a number of exciting opportunities within this area and are looking to build a pipeline of talent to allow us to work quickly upon contract award. We will be in a position to be able to begin the formal recruitment process in the coming weeks and we will be in touch to discuss the next steps of your expression of interest as soon as possible. 

Internal applications for this role close on 06/10/2026

What is the role about? 

North Sea Jobs Service (NSJS) is a voluntary transition service for current and former UK-resident oil gas workers who have worked in the industry within the last 2 years. It is commissioned by the UK Government, specifically the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). Workers can access up to 12 months of tailored support, with the primary aim to create employment opportunities through employer and trade union engagement and provide Workers with tailored employment support and training.

The Head of Employer Engagement & Partnerships will have overall responsibility for the development and implementation of the partnerships and employer engagement on North Sea Jobs Service. The primary role of the Head of Employer Engagement & Partnerships is to line manage Key Account Managers, supporting their performance and delivery in building and managing relationships with employers across priority sectors, including clean energy and Industry Priority Sectors (e.g. Advanced Manufacturing, Construction, Life Sciences etc). They will also oversee and manage the delivery and relationship with our key subcontractor. 

Please note, the Head of Employer Engagement & Partnerships may be required to travel around the UK when needed, including to Aberdeen where we will have an NSJS office.

Just some of your day-to-day responsibilities will include: 

The Head of Employer Services will be responsible for the creation, implementation, and continuous refinement of our NSJS employer

engagement strategy to reflect ongoing & emerging labour market changes.

• Creating, implementing and refining strategies to create career pathways for NSJS workers on the programme.
• Overseeing and be accountable for all employer engagement activity, developing relationships with employers.
• Working closely with employers to develop sector pathways through training, guaranteed interviews, vacancies and work attachments/vocational placements.
• Being the first point of contact for large or national incoming Employer leads to the programme.
• Identifying and generating new employer engagement opportunities.
• Understanding growth sector skill requirements and jobs, including employers’ current/future business and skills needs.
• Develop relationships with key employers and stakeholders and maintain regular communication with partner organisations to ensure that business outcomes are maximised through access to wider referral partner/employer networks.
• Building and leading a strong Partnership with our key subcontractor, ensuring that the Employer Engagement Strategy of Reed in Partnership and our subcontractor is aligned and consistent.
• Working closely with the broader Operational Management Team to support performance and delivery on all programmes.
• Create robust relationships with employers in growth sectors and popular industries for NSJS workers.
• Mentoring new and experienced staff, coaching for performance and instruction as required.
• Tracking employer engagement performance at individual, team, sector, region in order to identify and respond to trends, refreshing our Employer Engagement Strategy as required.
• Providing comprehensive reporting and analysis to the Authority.
• Ensuring that NSJS provision is responsive and demand-led to employer and worker needs. 

What’s in it for you? 

A generous base salary (pro-rata for part time), and great flexibility with your working schedule, we offer training, development and progression opportunities. You will have access to the range of Reed in Partnership benefits, which include: 

• 25 days annual leave (pro-rata for part time) plus statutory bank holidays 
• Reed Pension Scheme 
• Award Winning Management & Leadership training 
• Professional & Personal Development Funds 
• Bi-annual pay reviews 
• Plus much more that can be found on our website  
• With the chance to dramatically make a difference to the local community, this role offers immense job satisfaction. 

At Reed in Partnership, we live and breathe our values in every decision and action taken, resulting in a collaborative and enjoyable culture within our offices. Our company values – we are fair open and honest; we take ownership, and we work together. 

To be successful in this role, we are looking for someone with: 

• BPSS (Baseline Personnel Security Standard) 

• Experience of sales management including the supervision of an individuals'/teams’ delivery and/or output.  

• Experience of people management including supporting, mentoring and coaching and developing an individual.

• A minimum of 2 A-Levels or an equivalent Level 3 Diploma. 

• GCSE English Language at a minimum of a Grade B (or equivalent Level 2 qualification). OR achievement of a Level 2 in Literacy Assessment at interview stage. 

Essential Attainments:

• Significant experience of leading, managing and developing high-performing teams within a target or performance-driven environment.

• Proven ability to set strategic direction, translate organisational priorities into operational plans, and drive successful delivery through effective leadership and performance management.

• Significant experience working with national accounts and relationship building

• Significant experience in an employer engagement or partnership manager role.

• Experience of working in a performance target driven environment

• Demonstrable proficiency in IT and a good grasp of Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint specifically.

Essential Criteria:

• The Employer Services Director attributes include Achievement Orientation, Challenge and Resilience, Flexibility and Adaptability, Honesty and Integrity, Impactful Communication, Planning and Decision Making, Relationship Building, Selling and Influencing and Team Orientation

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, negotiation skills, accomplished networking skills, organisational and time management skills, ability to build professional relationships effectively, willing to go the extra mile

• A proactive 'can-do' attitude; a track record of driving positive change and the ability to work under own initiative and think outside the box

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, negotiation skills, accomplished networking skills, organisational and time management skills, ability to build professional relationships effectively

We aim to ensure that no candidate or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity.  We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria.