Employer Engagement & Work-Based Learning Officer

Initial 3 month Contract with view to extension for the right candidate | Immediate Start | Galway

We are seeking an Employer Engagement & Work-Based Learning Officer on behalf of our client, higher education institution based in Galway that places a strong emphasis on employability, applied learning, and close collaboration with industry across Business, Finance, and IT-focused programmes.

They work extensively with employers at regional, national, and international level to deliver structured internships and work-based learning opportunities that meet academic and professional standards.

Role Overview

Our client is looking to appoint an Employer Engagement & Work-Based Learning Officer to support the coordination and delivery of student internships and placement programmes.

This is a hands-on delivery role with responsibility for developing placement opportunities, managing employer relationships, and supporting students through every stage of the placement journey. The role involves close collaboration with academic teams and requires someone who is commercially minded, highly organised, and comfortable operating in a target-led, stakeholder-rich environment.

Key Responsibilities

Employer Engagement & Placement Development

• Identify, source and coordinate high-quality internships and work-based learning opportunities that align with academic criteria, student requirements, employer needs and institutional goals
• Proactively grow and maintain an employer contact database through innovative engagement strategies
• Keep informed of current and emerging trends in internships, graduate recruitment and development practices across SMEs and large organisations
• Maintain and strengthen existing employer partnerships while continuously identifying new placement opportunities

Placement Coordination & Student Support

• Oversee placement processes in partnership with Programme Directors, Course Co-ordinators and the Postgraduate Internship Director
• Provide structured support to students before placement commencement, throughout the placement period, and on completion
• Collaborate with academic colleagues to develop and deliver placement preparation initiatives, including:
  • Individual student guidance
  • Placement readiness and preparation
  • Application and selection processes
  • Workplace effectiveness and reflective learning

Inclusive Placement Support

• Work closely with the Disability Support Office to support students with disabilities undertaking placements
• Prepare Placement Planning Reports detailing reasonable accommodations where applicable

Governance, Reporting & Compliance

• Ensure all placement activity aligns with Work-Based Learning policies and procedures
• Contribute to the ongoing review and development of placement-related processes and policies
• Manage compliance requirements for overseas placements, including insurance, visas, work permits and relevant documentation
• Track progress against monthly delivery targets and prepare associated reports
• Gather, analyse and report on feedback and data from employer and student surveys

Marketing & External Representation

• Support the promotion and visibility of placement programmes and opportunities
• Represent the institution at employer and student engagement events such as graduate fairs, company launches, seminars and open days

Essential Requirements

• A primary degree (Level 8 or equivalent), preferably in Business or IT
• At least three years’ recent and relevant experience in one of the following:
  • Recruitment (agency or in-house), including business development/client sourcing and end-to-end candidate management, or
  • Employer engagement, partnership management or placement-focused roles, with exposure to Finance and/or IT sectors
• Demonstrated ability to:
  • Build and maintain effective working relationships with employers, students and academic stakeholders
  • Work autonomously while contributing effectively within a team environment
  • Deliver workshops, presentations or structured group sessions
• Strong communication, influencing and presentation skills
• Excellent organisational and project coordination capability
• Proven experience delivering against targets in a competitive or results-driven environment
• Working knowledge of:
  • Higher education structures and environments
  • Work-based learning and placement models
• Strong analytical and report-writing skills
• High level of ICT competence, including the effective use of social media for engagement and outreach

Desirable Requirements

• Postgraduate qualification
• Previous experience supporting placements or employer engagement within education or a related sector
• Strong problem-solving capability with a logical, analytical and decisive approach

If you are interested in this role please apply today or email [email protected] with your updated CV for more info.