Business Development Manager

Company Description

Train’d Up has been a leading provider of flexible and hybrid apprenticeship programs for over 20 years, specializing in industries like engineering, manufacturing, rail, IT, and data. Our innovative training approach combines practical, hands-on experience with live, tutor-led e-tutorials and digital resources, ensuring apprentices develop real-world skills that add immediate value. We empower apprentices to contribute to their workplaces from day one while supporting employers in building a future-ready workforce. Train’d Up is committed to providing impactful, accessible, and results-oriented training solutions for businesses and individuals alike.

Role Description

Salary: £45,000 + £15,000 OTE year 1 + Full benefits package

Location: Remote, you can be based anywhere in the UK but be willing to travel.

Train’d Up are seeking to recruit a highly experienced sales professional to join our apprenticeship team. The role will focus on engaging with local and national employers, to recruit apprentices and / or upskill their existing staff through apprenticeships and other funding options.

Purpose of the job:

• To engage with employers locally and nationally to promote Train’d Up’s offer, including a range of engineering apprenticeships and commercial provision.
• The post holder will take the lead on increasing apprenticeship starts by meeting monthly targets and KPIs in line with Train’d Up financial objectives.
• The postholder will also be responsible for learner recruitment, ensuring learners are placed with suitable employers and on an apprenticeship following a robust pre-screening process.

The job role:

• Identify and develop new business within the Train’d Up’s STEM team through a variety of business development approaches, including sales calls, meetings, presentations, social media promotions, events, and networking.
• Achieve monthly apprenticeship starts as outlined in the annual personal development review targets.
• Build and manage an effective pipeline of sales in line with monthly recruitment targets, reporting forecasts to the Head of Department (STEM & Business Development), Company Directors, Senior Management Team, and Governance Board.
• Produce and deliver targeted campaigns aligned to Train’d Up provision to generate new leads, working with a range of internal stakeholders within the Train’d Up
• Offer information, advice and support to employers by promoting the benefits of recruiting apprentices, up-skilling/re-skilling and utilisation of the apprenticeship levy.
• Ensure that employers comply fully with the ESFA funding rules and have a full awareness of the role they play in the completion of the apprenticeship programme.
• Develop relationships with professional and sector-focused bodies to support business development activities and increase Train’d Up’s brand awareness within the engineering sector.
• Develop detailed business proposals for employers with support from the apprenticeship delivery team.
• Undertake Organisational Needs Analysis and design / develop training plans to meet the employer’s recruitment and training strategy.
• Keep up to date with competitors’ strengths and weaknesses, evaluate the market and scope out new opportunities.
• Monitor developments within the key sector areas to ensure Train’d Up is abreast of new tenders, bids, opportunities and always remains competitive.
• Organise or carry out Health and Safety assessments using Train’d Up guidelines on all employer premises. Create and monitor action plans where necessary and report all findings to relevant parties.
• Assist employers in the setup and management of their apprenticeship service account.
• Develop and maintain relationships with new and existing employers and maximise opportunities that are available within Train’d Up’s portfolio of offering.
• Conduct robust due diligence checks (including financial credit checks) on all prospective apprenticeship employers.
• With the support of our recruitment team, recruit, interview, initially assess and pre-screen candidates for apprenticeship programmes.
• Ensure vacancies are advertised on the required job recruitment sites within a day of receiving the job description.
• Ensure all vacancies are recruited to within 4 weeks of posting.
• Ensure high quality information, advice and guidance to candidates to confirm that they are enrolled on the correct apprenticeship standard and other programmes according to their ability, whilst taking into account all prior learning and previous experience.
• To participate in regular meetings and maintain contact and report any issues direct to the Head of Department (STEM & Business Development).
• Maintain and update all essential documentation including learner files to the required standard in a timely manner.
• Attend knowledge and ESFA awareness events to keep updated on apprenticeship rules, Government policy, employer grants, and any funding updates.
• Co-ordinate and participate in employer and learner engagement events, both during and outside of normal working hours (including evenings and weekends) and promotional activities as required.
• Provide supportive and effective post induction aftercare to apprenticeship employers.
• To work flexibly, this will include evenings, open days, parents’ evenings and possibly weekends.
• To undertake any other duties commensurate with your level of responsibility as may be required by your direct line manager

Essential criteria:

• Experience of employer engagement, generating apprentice placements and opportunities within the engineering sector.
• Experience of successfully working towards targets and KPI’s.
• Excellent understanding of apprenticeships, particularly in the engineering sector.
• Excellent understanding of apprenticeship ESFA funding rules and additional funding grants
• Excellent communication skills – presentation, written and verbal.
• Exceptional sales, marketing and networking skills.
• Excellent time management and organisational skills.
• Full, clean driving licence.