Oxford Professional Education
Business Development Manager – Apprenticeships & Employer Partnerships

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About Oxford Professional Education
Oxford Professional Education is a leading provider of professional training and globally recognised qualifications.
Our courses span a range of disciplines which empower thousands of learners each year to flourish and progress in the workplace – from apprentices to global business leaders.
Our delivery of exceptional educational courses and qualifications is the focus of everything we do. The commitment and passion of our people, to develop the skills and capabilities of our learners, remains at the core of our continued success. We are a diverse team of talented experts, an investor in innovative systems, entering into an exciting phase of growth.
If you share our vision and seek a career where you can make an impact, then we would like to hear from you.
The Role
This is an exciting opportunity for a commercially focused and relationship-driven Business Development Manager to become the face of Oxford Professional Education within the professional training market.
The successful candidate will focus exclusively on employer engagement, business development, apprenticeship promotion, and commercial qualification growth.
This role would suit someone with strong knowledge of apprenticeships and employer engagement who is confident building relationships, generating opportunities, and representing the organisation at local and national events.
Key Responsibilities
- Promote apprenticeships and commercial professional qualifications to employers and key stakeholders
- Identify workforce development needs and secure new apprenticeship and training opportunities
- Conduct proactive business development activity including networking, lead generation, and employer outreach
- Build and maintain a strong pipeline of employer and commercial opportunities
- Work collaboratively with internal teams to support business growth objectives
- Maintain accurate records of employer engagement activity, pipeline progression, and partnership opportunities using CRM systems
- Produce regular activity and pipeline reports to support performance monitoring and strategic planning
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of apprenticeship funding, policy developments, and sector priorities
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
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Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Marketing & Market Development
- Work closely with the marketing team to support promotional campaigns and employer engagement strategies
- Contribute to the creation and development of marketing assets, promotional materials, and employer-facing content
- Provide regular feedback and market intelligence
- Support strategic growth initiatives through market insight and employer engagement activity in both apprenticeship programmes and commercial professional qualifications
Events & Networking
- Represent Oxford Professional Education at local and national events, exhibitions, conferences, and networking opportunities
- Promote our accredited training provision in both apprenticeships and professional qualifications
- Build strong relationships with employers, professional bodies, and industry stakeholders
- Support the continued growth and visibility of the organisation


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Skills & Experience Required
- Essential experience and strong working knowledge of apprenticeships, apprenticeship funding, and employer engagement within the UK education and training sector
- Self-motivated, target-driven, and commercially aware
- Proven experience in business development, employer engagement
- Experience developing employer partnerships and generating new business opportunities
- Experience using CRM systems to manage employer engagement activity and sales pipelines
- Excellent networking and relationship-building skills
- Experience working collaboratively with marketing teams and contributing to campaigns and promotional activity
- Strong communication and presentation skills
- Professional and confident manner with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels
Personal Attributes
- Professional, enthusiastic, and highly motivated
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Organised and proactive approach to work
- Positive ambassadorial presence
- Passionate about business growth and relationship management
- Commercially aware with the ability to identify market opportunities
- Committed to delivering high standards of professionalism and service
What we offer
- Competitive salary and incentives
- Flexible/hybrid working options
- Professional development opportunities
- Supportive and collaborative team culture
- Generous holiday allowance and benefits package
If you’re excited by the opportunity to make an impact, we would love to hear from you.
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