Senior Business Development Engagement Manager - 6 months contract

We have a fantastic opportunity for an experienced and well-connected Senior Business Development & Engagement Manager to lead the development of new business opportunities across the Northeast region.

The successful candidate will act as a senior ambassador for MTC Training, building strategic relationships with employers, colleges, universities, local authorities, combined authorities, trade associations, and regional stakeholder networks. They will identify emerging skills and workforce challenges, develop business cases for new training solutions, and support the growth of apprenticeship, commercial training, funded provision, and workforce development programmes.

This role is ideally suited to an individual with significant regional influence, an established network, and a strong understanding of skills, education, economic development, manufacturing, engineering, or workforce transformation.

You’ll be responsible for

Business Development & Opportunity Creation

• Develop and implement a regional engagement strategy aligned to business growth objectives.
• Identify, generate and convert new business opportunities across both public and private sector organisations.
• Build a qualified pipeline of apprenticeship, commercial training, and workforce development opportunities.
• Support contract negotiations and partnership agreements with key stakeholders.
• Represent MTC Training at regional forums, conferences, employer events and networking activities.
• Identify emerging market opportunities and provide intelligence on future skills requirements.

Strategic Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop senior-level relationships with:
  • Large employers
  • SME businesses
  • Local Authorities
  • Combined Authorities
  • Further Education Colleges
  • Universities
  • Chambers of Commerce
  • Trade Associations
  • Skills and Economic Development Bodies
  • Government and Public Sector Organisations
• Act as a trusted adviser to stakeholders on workforce development and skills challenges.
• Build collaborative partnerships that support regional growth and skills development objectives.
• Establish and maintain regional advisory groups and employer networks where appropriate.

New Programme Development

• Identify workforce and skills gaps through employer engagement and market research.
• Work with operational and curriculum teams to develop business cases for new programmes, apprenticeships, bootcamps and training solutions.
• Shape proposals that respond to employer demand and local economic priorities.
• Support funding applications, bids and partnership proposals where required.
• Contribute to regional growth plans and investment opportunities.

Employer Relationship Management

• Maintain ongoing engagement with existing customers to maximise growth opportunities.
• Develop account plans for strategic employers and regional partners.
• Ensure excellent customer experience through proactive relationship management.
• Gather employer feedback and market intelligence to support continuous improvement.

Regional Representation

• Act as the face of MTC Training across the North East region.
• Promote MTC Training’s capabilities and impact to employers and stakeholders.
• Support marketing and promotional campaigns through case studies, events and presentations.
• Build MTC Training's reputation as a leading workforce development partner.

Who we’re looking for

We’re looking for an Experienced Business Development Manager with

• Significant business development experience within skills, training, education, workforce development, manufacturing or economic development.
• Demonstrable success in developing strategic partnerships and generating new business opportunities.
• Strong understanding of the North East employer landscape.
• Experience engaging with senior stakeholders.
• Ability to identify market opportunities and translate them into business cases.
• Excellent communication, presentation and influencing skills.
• Strong commercial awareness and negotiation skills.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel across the region.

Desirable

• Existing network across the North East business community.
• Experience working with Combined Authorities, Local Authorities or regional economic development bodies.
• Knowledge of apprenticeships, skills funding and workforce development programmes.
• Experience developing funded training initiatives or partnership projects.
• Understanding of manufacturing, engineering, energy, defence, digital or advanced technologies sectors.

Personal Attributes

• Highly credible and relationship focused.
• Entrepreneurial and opportunity driven.
• Strategic thinker with strong commercial instincts.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently.
• Collaborative and able to influence diverse stakeholders.
• Passionate about skills development and regional economic growth.
• Resilient, proactive and results focused.

Interview Process

Once you submit your application, this will be passed on to our Talent Acquisition team for review.

Reference and Security Checks

Due to the nature of our business, all employment is subject to satisfactory references being obtained alongside a level of security clearance checks.