Main duties and responsibilities
Interviews will be held week commencing 23rd February 2026
Extended Education at DMU exists to transform lives, careers and communities through inclusive, flexible and future-focused learning. By delivering modular, stackable and employer-aligned education, we empower individuals to upskill and reskill throughout their lives, supporting social mobility, economic growth and civic renewal.
Our learners are increasingly seeking alternative routes into Higher Education and want to ensure that they are job ready on completion of their chosen pathway.Our work directly addresses national priorities for lifelong learning and regional skills development, through delivery of apprenticeships, short courses, Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) and the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE). Through strategic partnerships with employers, civic bodies and educational institutions, we co-create impactful learning pathways that respond to real-world needs, in alignment with the Industrial Strategy. We are building a future where education is not a one-time event, but a lifelong journey accessible to all, responsive to change and rooted in purpose.
This is an exciting opportunity be at the forefront of a new area of activity for DMU that aligns to the requirements of the modern learner and has strong Government endorsement.
Role
We are seeking a full-time Client Engagement Manager to identify and develop new business opportunities and grow numbers on credit-bearing professional short courses, HTQs, and apprenticeships offered by De Montfort University. The role will involve proactively engaging with existing employer partners to encourage repeat business as well as initiating and developing new employer partnership opportunities to ensure consistent, ongoing application numbers to achieve minimum cohort targets.
The postholder role will report to the Head of Higher Technical Education and Professional Skills, supporting growth in DMU’s extended education portfolio and improving profitability through strategic partnerships and new income streams.
The postholder will ensure that the employer experience is positive and consistent across DMU’s Extended Education portfolio and that their ongoing feedback drives continuous improvement.
Ideal Candidate
You will have a proven track record of 5+ years in a business development/sales related role, demonstrable experience in developing and maintaining strategic partnerships and achievement of targets, excellent customer service, relationship-building, negotiation and presentation skills and the ability to inspire confidence in others.
We are looking for a highly organised, proactive, solution-minded and strategic thinker with a natural ability to forge new employer relationships as well as maximise existing partnerships. You will have the ability to prioritise tasks and to work seamlessly across teams with a commitment to continuous improvement are also crucial.
To view the job description and person specification click here.
To arrange an informal discussion about this post, please contact Helen Kennedy-Holleman. Email: Helen.kennedy-holleman@dmu.uk