Business Development Consultant - Technical Talent

About ARU:
ARU is a global university transforming lives through innovative, inclusive and entrepreneurial education and research. ARU holds a gold award for the quality of its education, awarded through the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF). ARU’s research institutes and four faculties bridge scientific, technical and creative fields. We deliver impactful research which tackles pressing issues and makes a real difference to our communities. Our academic excellence has been recognised by the UK’s Higher Education funding bodies, with 16 of our research areas assessed as world leading. We are the largest provider of Nursing, Midwifery, Health and Social Care students in the East of England, and we are also among the UK’s leading universities for degree apprenticeship provision, working with hundreds of employers across the UK.

About the Role:
Cambridge University Health Partners and Anglia Ruskin University are seeking an experienced and motivated professional to lead employer engagement across the Cambridge innovation ecosystem. This pivotal role will connect leading STEM employers with emerging technical talent through high-impact apprenticeship programmes and T-level placements, helping to shape the future workforce of one of the world’s most dynamic science and technology clusters.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with employers across STEM sectors, including biotechnology, engineering, and AI.
• Promote apprenticeships and T-levels as effective solutions to skills shortages and workforce development.
• Collaborate with education providers to increase the volume and quality of technical placements.
• Monitor and report on apprenticeship and T-level uptake, identifying areas for further support and growth.
• Produce a strategic report exploring the potential for national expansion of the programme.

You are a confident communicator and natural collaborator with a strong understanding of the Cambridge innovation landscape. You are passionate about skills development and committed to creating inclusive pathways into technical careers.

Essential:

• A bachelor’s degree (preferably in a STEM subject) or equivalent professional qualification.
• Proven experience in stakeholder engagement, partnership development, or employer-led education initiatives.
• Strong understanding of the UK apprenticeship system, including funding rules and regulatory frameworks.
• Ability to analyse and present data to diverse audiences.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of T-levels and the UK’s technical education pipeline.
• Experience working within or alongside higher education institutions or STEM industries.

Informal enquiries can be made to Clare Fazackerley, Head of Business Development (Degrees at Work), at Clare.Fazackerley@aru.ac.uk.

We have an agile working culture and offer an extensive range of benefits including generous holiday entitlement, occupational pension schemes, training and development opportunities, travel to work scheme and a competitive relocation package. Visit our benefits page for full details.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting welfare of our staff and students and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Applicants should be aware that ARU will carry out online searches as part of the due diligence on short listed candidates.

We value diversity at ARU and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

We have a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

In accordance with the UK Government’s immigration points-based system, this post does not meet the characteristics of a skilled job including salary criteria to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker Route.

Committed to being inclusive and open to discuss flexible working.

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