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
1. Identify, source and coordinate high-quality internships and work-based learning opportunities that align with academic criteria, student requirements, employer needs and institutional goals
2. Proactively grow and maintain an employer contact database through innovative engagement strategies
3. Keep informed of current and emerging trends in internships, graduate recruitment and development practices across SMEs and large organisations
4. Maintain and strengthen existing employer partnerships while continuously identifying new placement opportunities
Placement Coordination & Student Support
5. Oversee placement processes in partnership with Programme Directors, Course Co-ordinators and the Postgraduate Internship Director
6. Provide structured support to students before placement commencement, throughout the placement period, and on completion
7. Collaborate with academic colleagues to develop and deliver placement preparation initiatives, including:Individual student guidancePlacement readiness and preparationApplication and selection processesWorkplace effectiveness and reflective learning
Inclusive Placement Support
8. Work closely with the Disability Support Office to support students with disabilities undertaking placements
9. Prepare Placement Planning Reports detailing reasonable accommodations where applicable
Governance, Reporting & Compliance
10. Ensure all placement activity aligns with Work-Based Learning policies and procedures
11. Contribute to the ongoing review and development of placement-related processes and policies
12. Manage compliance requirements for overseas placements, including insurance, visas, work permits and relevant documentation
13. Track progress against monthly delivery targets and prepare associated reports
14. Gather, analyse and report on feedback and data from employer and student surveys
Marketing & External Representation
15. Support the promotion and visibility of placement programmes and opportunities
16. Represent the institution at employer and student engagement events such as graduate fairs, company launches, seminars and open days
Essential Requirements
17. A primary degree (Level 8 or equivalent), preferably in Business or IT
18. 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, orEmployer engagement, partnership management or placement-focused roles, with exposure to Finance and/or IT sectors
19. Demonstrated ability to:Build and maintain effective working relationships with employers, students and academic stakeholdersWork autonomously while contributing effectively within a team environmentDeliver workshops, presentations or structured group sessions
20. Strong communication, influencing and presentation skills
21. Excellent organisational and project coordination capability
22. Proven experience delivering against targets in a competitive or results-driven environment
23. Working knowledge of:Higher education structures and environmentsWork-based learning and placement models
24. Strong analytical and report-writing skills
25. High level of ICT competence, including the effective use of social media for engagement and outreach
Desirable Requirements
26. Postgraduate qualification
27. Previous experience supporting placements or employer engagement within education or a related sector
28. Strong problem-solving capability with a logical, analytical and decisive approach