Job Title: Senior Engagement Officer
Salary: £30,000 to £35,000
Structure: full time, permanent – 35 hours per week.
Company Introduction:
FIRST is an accredited learning and development agency specialising in enterprise skills for young people, early-stage founders, and professionals. We partner with educational institutions, local authorities, businesses, and community organisations to tackle high unemployment and encourage business startup rates. Our mission is to empower enterprise skills and entrepreneurship in under-resourced and underrepresented communities, promoting individual stability, social progress, and economic growth.
Our values:
From a learner’s first enquiry to an end of project review, we believe in prioritising the following values for all stakeholders:
* Empowering others to achieve their dreams
* Expertise within enterprise skills and entrepreneurship
* Learning through fun
* Trusting relationships with stakeholders
What We Offer:
* A dynamic and supportive working environment in central Gateshead.
* Opportunities for professional development and career progression.
* The chance to make a significant impact on learners’ lives and contribute to inclusive economic growth.
* A fun, innovative, and collaborative team culture.
* Flexible working hours (core hours 10-4)
* Working from home options (based on business need).
* Support into a trusteeship/governance role with paid time off to carry out these extra-curricular community duties.
* 28 days holiday (pro rata) with a day off for your birthday. After 2 years of employment, additional time off during the festive break.
Role Overview:
The Engagement Officer is responsible for managing the entire learner onboarding, engagement, event coordination, B2B partner acquisition, and B2C recruitment processes. This role ensures learners experience a smooth transition from initial contact through enrolment, supporting sustained engagement with FIRST’s programmes and partnerships within the business community.
Key Responsibilities:
Learner Onboarding and Enrolment
* Oversee the entire learner onboarding and enrolment process, ensuring each learner’s journey from initial recruitment to programme commencement is seamless and aligned with their goals.
* Conduct initial assessments to understand learner needs and enrol them in suitable courses, workshops, or events.
* Manage all necessary enrolment paperwork and administrative tasks to ensure learners are fully prepared to begin their programmes.
* Facilitate a smooth handover of enrolled learners to the Learning and Skills Department for ongoing programme delivery and support.
Continuous Learner Engagement
* Develop and implement strategies to maintain high levels of learner satisfaction and support learner progression after course completion.
* Identify and facilitate additional opportunities for learners within FIRST and the broader business ecosystem based on their individual needs.
B2B Acquisition and Relationship Management
* Identify and acquire new B2B partners within the assigned area to meet recruitment and contractual targets.
* Onboard new partners, maintaining a collaborative relationship to facilitate learner referrals and programme support.
* Build strong relationships with local businesses, attending networking events and meetings to expand FIRST’s local network and support recruitment activities.
* Represent FIRST professionally at all business events to enhance partnerships and community presence.
B2C Recruitment and Programme Management
* Act as the main point of contact for prospective learners, offering guidance and support from initial contact through to enrolment.
* Utilise customer service and engagement skills to encourage enrolment and support learners in selecting suitable programmes.
* Oversee the recruitment process for individual learners, ensuring a seamless and positive experience.
Regional Coordination
* Collaborate with recruitment team members in other regions, including Newcastle/Gateshead, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Sunderland, Durham, and Northumberland.
* Coordinate efforts to ensure a cohesive approach to recruitment across multiple locations, meeting both local and regional recruitment targets.
Market Representation and Local Marketing
* Represent FIRST at local events to promote programmes and engage prospective learners, stakeholders, and community partners.
* Coordinate the distribution of marketing materials in the local area to support recruitment efforts.
Cross-Departmental Collaboration
* Maintain effective communication with the Operations team and Learning and Skills team to ensure seamless transitions for learners from recruitment through to programme delivery.
* Provide regular updates to the Head of Engagement on engagement metrics, learner feedback, and areas for improvement.
* Collaborate with internal teams to align recruitment processes with organisational goals.
Operational Excellence
* Regularly assess and optimise engagement and recruitment processes to meet FIRST’s objectives.
* Collect and analyse learner feedback from the enrolment phase to inform ongoing improvements in recruitment, onboarding, and engagement strategies.
* Identify and implement improvements to increase learner satisfaction, retention, and progression.
Additional Responsibilities
* Undertake other duties as required to support FIRST’s projects and strategic objectives.
Qualifications
* A degree or equivalent experience in education, business development, social work, or a related field
* Training in customer service, stakeholder management, or programme coordination is advantageous
Essential Experience
* Proven experience in learner engagement, programme management, or educational recruitment, ideally within the social enterprise, education, or non-profit sectors
* Strong track record in B2B and B2C relationship management, including networking with local businesses and community partners to support recruitment and partnership development
* Experience in coordinating events or outreach initiatives to engage diverse audiences, particularly within underrepresented communities
* Demonstrated ability to conduct assessments, manage onboarding processes, and sustain learner engagement across programmes
* Proficiency in managing data for reporting and monitoring purposes, with a focus on tracking learner progress and engagement outcomes
* Competence in cross-departmental collaboration to ensure smooth transitions and alignment with organisational goals
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £30,000.00-£35,000.00 per year
Benefits:
* Casual dress
* Company events
* Company pension
* On-site parking
* Paid volunteer time
Schedule:
* Monday to Friday
Experience:
* Business development: 3 years (required)
* Recruiting: 2 years (required)
* Customer relationship management: 3 years (required)
* Public speaking: 1 year (required)
* Customer service: 3 years (required)
Work Location: In person
Reference ID: Senior Engagement Officer
#J-18808-Ljbffr