Build relationships. Create opportunities. Make an impact.
Are you someone who thrives on meeting new people, spotting opportunities and making things happen?
Do you enjoy building relationships, opening doors and helping organisations solve workforce challenges?
Can you confidently start conversations, develop partnerships and turn opportunities into results?
At Gateshead College, we're looking for an enthusiastic and proactive Business Development Consultant to join our growing Business Development Team.
This is more than a sales role. It's an opportunity to work with employers across some of the North East's most exciting and fast-growing sectors, helping businesses access the skills and talent they need while creating life-changing opportunities for learners.
You'll be at the heart of developing new partnerships, growing existing relationships and identifying opportunities that generate Apprenticeships, Adult Skills, Commercial Training and wider workforce development solutions.
No two days are the same. One day you could be meeting a new employer, hosting a networking event or presenting to a business audience. The next you might be working with curriculum teams to create apprenticeship opportunities, industry placements or bespoke workforce development programmes.
If you're naturally curious, commercially minded and love building relationships, we'd love to hear from you.
What You'll Be Doing
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Developing relationships with new and existing employers across the North East.
- Identifying and creating opportunities that support business growth.
- Generating Apprenticeship, Adult Skills and Commercial Training opportunities.
- Managing a pipeline of employer leads and opportunities.
- Building trusted relationships with employers and becoming a valued partner.
- Helping employers understand apprenticeship funding and workforce development options.
- Delivering presentations and representing Gateshead College at business events and networking activities.
- Working with curriculum teams to create apprenticeships, industry placements, employer projects and wider learner opportunities.
- Keeping up to date with labour market trends and identifying emerging opportunities within growth sectors.
- Achieving business development and employer income targets.
The Type of Person We're Looking For
We're looking for someone who:
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Is able to engage effectively with a wide range of people and contribute positively to team objectives.
- Is confident starting conversations and building relationships.
- Sees opportunities where others see obstacles.
- Is motivated by achieving results and making an impact.
- Is naturally curious and always looking for ways to add value.
- Takes ownership and doesn't wait to be told what to do.
- Is comfortable networking and representing the College externally.
- Can think on their feet and adapt to different situations.
- Is resilient, determined and doesn't give up easily.
- Enjoys working collaboratively and contributing to team success.
You'll Need
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Experience of business development, account management, employer engagement or partnership development.
- A track record of generating business opportunities, income or growth.
- Experience of developing relationships with employers, clients or customers.
- Excellent communication, presentation and networking skills.
- Commercial awareness and the ability to identify opportunities.
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.
- Knowledge of Apprenticeships, workforce development or skills provision would be advantageous.
Why Join Gateshead College?
At Gateshead College, we're passionate about helping people and businesses succeed.
You'll be joining a supportive and ambitious team that works closely with employers to develop skills, create opportunities and support economic growth across the North East.
This is an opportunity to build your own network, develop meaningful partnerships and make a genuine difference to both employers and learners.
If you're proactive, relationship-focused, commercially aware and excited by the opportunity to make things happen, we'd love to hear from you
About Gateshead College
At Gateshead College we’re famous for education with Employment Edge, industry inspired education that combines high quality learning with real world skills. This means giving our students the knowledge and skills to be successful in work and life and supporting them to be the best they can be.
This means putting everything we’ve got into making sure our students are the most employable and this is what makes our college such an exciting place to work.
From bringing industry expertise into the classroom and working hand in hand with businesses, to delivering the highest quality teaching and learning and supporting students to develop personally as well as professionally, we’re all about creating experiences that will set learners up for life
If you share our ambition, we’d love to hear from you.
In return we can offer a values-driven organisation and the chance to work with brilliant people who put students first. You’ll be listened to and will have opportunities to make an impact. We prioritise health and wellbeing and your work life balance will be respected.
Our inclusive culture means you’re valued for being yourself and diversity is celebrated, and our commitment to being a sustainable organisation means we always try to do business the right way to make our community better for everyone.
At Gateshead College we all have the opportunity to help our learners succeed and it’s this clear purpose and shared effort that makes us such a great place to work; we hope you think about joining.
Our Benefits:
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Generous holiday allowance of 33 days plus bank holidays
- Mental health and wellbeing support, with 24/7 access to an employee assistance programme and counselling services.
- Career average pension with the Local Government Pension Scheme.
- Travel support including free on-site parking, discounted public transport scheme and cycle to work scheme.
- Retail and travel discounts.
- Volunteering Days
Interviews will be held on Monday 21st September 2026.
