Employer Liaison Officer (1803)
Employer Liaison Officer
Full Time (37 hours per week) – Fixed Term Contract (12 months) – High Wycombe Campus
Salary - £29,588 - £33,002 per annum
Buckinghamshire New University is an ambitious, modern university that is always open to fresh ideas and thinking. We believe in the transformative power of education, and in doing the right thing by our students, people and local community. That’s why our BNU community is a special place to work and study, and where people who want to make a difference can contribute and succeed.
Our University’s DRIVE values and are at the heart of all that we do. We are united in being dynamic, responsible, inclusive, visionary and empowering to ensure that we provide the best experience to our learners and offer excellent service to our partners and to each other as colleagues. Our commitment to these values is unwavering and they are central to our mission.
The Employer Liaison Officer will build relationships with employers and industry partners to develop career opportunities for our students and graduates, enhancing their employability and career readiness.
As the first point of contact, you will coordinate employer-led events, workshops, and networking opportunities. You will support employer outreach and collaborate with internal stakeholders to help develop placement opportunities and ensure a high-quality experience for all involved.
You will also support students directly by delivering workshops on employment topics such as securing placements, graduate opportunities, and preparing CVs or applications.
Accurate record-keeping, outcome tracking, and use of data to guide engagement strategies and service improvements are key parts of the role.
This position requires excellent communication, coordination, and relationship-building skills, along with a strong commitment to inclusivity and student success.
What we offer:
- A generous holiday entitlement (30 days per annum, plus bank holidays & closure days)
- Hybrid working (dependent on business needs)
- Training & development support opportunities
- Contributory pension scheme
- Discounted gym membership for our on-site gym
- A range of staff discounts with major retailers.
Please click here to see our wide range of benefits available for employees.
Please click here for our behavioural-based interview question bank.
Please click here to view our employee handbook.
If you have the qualities and attributes representative of the University’s values and ambition, we would be delighted to hear from you.
For further information about this role please contact Christopher Little. christopher.little@bucks.ac.uk
All applications are to be made in full and online.
BNU is proud to have a diverse community and a strong track record of diversity, equity and inclusion. We are committed to promoting an inclusive and diverse workplace and aim to continue building an environment where everyone thrives and can be themselves. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in BNU’s workforce. These include people from global majority backgrounds, people with disabilities, and LGBTQI+ people, particularly in more senior roles.
Please let us know if you require any adjustments or support during the recruitment process. We are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments that would enable you to perform to the best of your abilities in your role. Please reach out to People Team if you have any specific needs or if you would like more information on how we can support you.
We ensure that our interview/shortlisting Chairs complete the relevant e-learning and/or inclusive recruitment training.
Closing Date: 17th August 2025
Interview Date: 27th August 2025
If you are successful in securing an interview for the role, you will be required to provide proof of eligibility to work in the UK.
If you are a student at BNU with a Student Visa (Tier 4) you must adhere to the working hour restrictions. A student visa issued for full-time degree level studies allows you to work for a maximum of 20 hours per week during term-time. You are also only allowed to undertake one atypical role at BNU at a time.
BNU is a Disability Confident employer and as such you will be given the opportunity to declare a disability as part of the application process. The University is also committed to achieving the Race Equality Charter.
Job Description
JOB DESCRIPTION
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Job Title: Employer Liaison Officer
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Faculty/Directorate: Directorate for Student Success
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Grade: E |
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Location: High Wycombe campus
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Hours: 37 (full-time) |
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Responsible to: Student Opportunities and Career Success Lead
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Responsible for: N/A
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Job Purpose: The Employer Liaison Officer will act as the first point of contact for employers, industry partners, external agencies and other programme providers interested in developing a relationship with the University in areas such as: placements/internships for students, recruitment of graduates, mentoring students, attending careers fairs/networking events, presentations, panel events, careers workshops or any aspect of employer/partner driven activity both physically and virtually. They will oversee end-to-end delivery of key provision that enhances student employability and discovery of various career paths/other opportunities enabling students to focus and action their career plans and achieve successful graduate level outcomes.
To practice an inclusive approach and support building an inclusive university community where people can be themselves.
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Main Duties & Responsibilities of the role:
- To be the first point of contact for incoming enquiries from employers/industry partners/external agencies ensuring prompt and high-quality responses through prioritisation, coordination and escalation across the student opportunities and careers success team and/or relevant school-based contacts.
- In consultation with relevant lead contacts from across the institution, plan, organise, deliver and review core event delivery across the student opportunities and careers success team, including coordination of employer presentations, virtual events, promotional activity and assisting with the delivery of careers fairs, networking events and employer-led workshops.
- To deliver an excellent experience to employers/partners/external agencies engaging with the University from initial enquiry through booking processes, invoicing, joining instructions, delivery on the day and review and to act as a first point of contact for all provider/partner and staff queries or complaints relating to events, using own initiative within certain parameters.
- For placements and other opportunities, work with the schools to assist with employer outreach to businesses. Work with colleges and the wider Careers Team on basic recruitment functions related to candidate search and selection for placement opportunities.
- Find opportunities, where possible, for students to gain industry insights through mentoring by industry professionals.
- Working with careers advisers in giving CV and employer advice to students. This will include one-to-one work and undertaking workshops on subject matters such as looking for placements and graduate opportunities, as well as employability and career skills workshops.
- Collect, collate and present data that demonstrates the impact of the service to inform service development.
- To utilise student engagement, employment data, and other information via the Handshake career platform and labour market intelligence to identify engagement options and sectors to inform outreach and delivery.
- To maintain accurate records of employer feedback and student feedback related to career fairs, workshops, and other employer engagement provision.
- To communicate effectively with employers and stakeholders, including internal service providers, prior to any engagement activities, clarifying and communicating requirements to ensure successful delivery.
- Proactively maintain current awareness of issues affecting the role to make the most of opportunities for professional development.
- Comply with relevant legislative and other requirements (e.g., the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR; Health and Safety; UKVI; and Equality and Diversity) in all working practices.
- Such other duties temporarily or on a continuing basis, as may reasonably be required.
PERSON SPECIFICATION – Essential Criteria Only
A = Application T = Test I = Interview
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Education, Qualifications & Training |
Means of Testing |
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Degree or equivalent experience E A |
A |
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Maths and English C+ at GCSE or equivalent |
A |
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Knowledge & Experience |
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Delivering an excellent customer experience |
A/I |
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Experience of organising and supporting events |
A/I |
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Knowledge of recruitment and selection processes and issues |
A/I |
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Experience of working in a team to complete a task |
A/I |
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Understanding of diversity and equality matters |
A/I |
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Knowledge of data protection issues |
A/I |
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Experience of dealing with client enquiries and responding in a timely and courteous manner |
A/I |
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Confidence in manipulating numerical data |
A/I |
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Skills |
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Digitally able and proficient in Microsoft tools |
A/I |
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Ability to communicate clear procedures, directions and information in a complex multifaceted environment with a range of employers, staff and other stakeholders |
A/I |
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Excellent spoken and written English |
A |
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Excellent general office and IT skills including use of standard Microsoft Office software and social media |
A |
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Demonstrate a confident and proactive communication style in order to develop successful working relationships with employers as well as staff and students across the University |
A/I |
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Flexible approach to work and commitment to providing a professional service |
A/I |
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Ability to work independently and as part of a team |
A/I |
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Ability to plan, organise and prioritise own workload and work effectively under pressure, to required deadlines |
A/I |
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Project management skills |
A/I |
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Special Requirements |
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Travel across campus sites |
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Polite, friendly and helpful manner to staff, students, graduates, employers and other clients and visitors |
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The ability to work occasional evenings and weekends subject to operational requirements. |
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Behavioural INDICATORS
The BNU Behaviours Framework (BBF) is a framework for all University staff that sets out the key behaviours that exemplify the DRIVE values and ethos of the University. The nine categories provide a clear steer on behavioural expectations that will help support a step change in the performance and culture of the University. The three key behavioural indicators for this post are as follows:
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Delivering excellent service Providing the best quality service to external and internal customers/students/stakeholders. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up customer service standards.
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Working together Working collaboratively and across boundaries with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process.
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Achieving results Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.
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