About EngineeringUK

The UK does not have the number of engineers or technologists needed for economic prosperity or to achieve our sustainability and net zero goals. Further, there is a real lack of diversity in the sector, with women making up only 16.5% of UK engineers, and many young people not seeing people in the industry who they can relate to. EngineeringUK works to address this issue by inspiring young people, particularly from underrepresented groups, into fulfilling and exciting careers in engineering and technology.

EngineeringUK is a not-for-profit organisation, which works in partnership across the engineering community to understand the skills the sector needs to develop, deliver and promote effective initiatives and programmes to inspire a diversity of young people to consider a career in engineering and technology. As part of our new 2023-28 strategy, we’ll be helping hundreds of organisations work more effectively to improve engineering and tech engagement and take action to inspire young people into roles to meet the workforce needs for environmental sustainability.

We are guided by a series of values that we apply to all our activity.

                                                                                    We are insightful and open and honest with our insight so that everything we do to inspire young people into engineering is based on clear and up-to-date evidence, gained by listening to and learning from our community.

We are courageous and dynamic in the development, piloting and promotion of ideas and activities, which can help us all to inspire tomorrow’s engineers and increase the talent pipeline for engineering and technology.  

We are passionate about inspiring a new generation of engineers and making a positive difference to young people’s lives.

We are inclusive, with partnership and collaboration at the heart of what we do. We are determined to reach those people who are under-represented in modern engineering and technology roles.

About the role

This is a fantastic role for a relationship management specialist who has a passion for inspiring young people, particularly those who are currently underrepresented in the engineering and technology sectors. It is an especially exciting time to join the team for anyone interested in how STEM can drive forward the UK’s sustainability and net zero agenda, as this is a core focus of our 5-year strategy which launches in September.

 EngineeringUK is privileged to receive a share of the registration fees of professionally registered engineers and technicians (alongside the Engineering Council). The Business & Industry Department, where this role sits, is responsible for supporting our relationships with industry and professional engineering institutions (PEIs), and all the fundraising we do to supplement our core income.

 The department consists of three teams:

(1) New Partnerships,

(2) Relationship Management, and

(3) PEIs, academia and SMEs.

 This role will lead the Relationship Management pillar, which is responsible for developing relationships with members and funders, ensuring a holistic partnership approach which connects them with all of EngineeringUK’s work and meets their individual strategic objectives.

 The Head of Corporate Relationships leads a team of four relationship managers to nurture and grow relationships with 35+ members and funders. We help members develop their own STEM engagement strategies, connect them with like-minded stakeholders, and provide curated access to our policy, research, and engagement resources. Our funders, who are often members as well, support our school activities including our flagship Big Bang Programme, and are often involved in the direct delivery of these programmes. This is therefore a varied and interesting role, in which you can have a direct impact on both the delivery of EngineeringUK activities, and influence over activities developed by industry leaders, to improve the provision of STEM engagement activities nationally.

The majority of relationships will be managed by your team, but as Head, you will be responsible for managing relationships with some of our most complex or high value members and partners. This gives you the opportunity to utilise your excellent relationship management skills, demonstrate how to develop holistic partnerships which engage multiple stakeholders across each organisation, and ensure that our high value supporters have the senior-level access needed to continue to thrive.

As Head of Corporate Relationships, you will work closely with the Heads of the other teams within Business & Industry, as well as the Director. You will work especially closely with the Head of New Partnerships, to ensure a smooth handover of new members and funders into your team, and to support them in identifying new prospects from introductions facilitated by existing supporters. The team has potential to grow significantly over the coming years; your team won’t be responsible for new business, but they are tasked with upgrading memberships as appropriate and securing new avenues of funding/wider engagement from existing partners. The team is also responsible for managing relationships with high potential Tomorrow’s Engineers Code signatories, who begin engagement with EngineeringUK via a free resource, but have potential to become members.

As a Head, you will also work closely with colleagues from across EngineeringUK, engaging members and funders to help meet other teams’ objectives, and ensuring that we consistently meet or exceed the expectations of our supporters.

This role is London based at the EngineeringUK offices at Northern and Shell Building, 10 Lower Thames Street, London, EC3R 6EN and will likely involve frequent travel in the UK. We believe that hybrid working has many benefits and are pleased to offer flexible working with a baseline of 2 days a week in the office, and core hours of 10am to 4pm.

 Further details on our flexible working practices can be provided at interview or via a member of our HR team.

Role responsibilities

• Provide leadership to the Corporate Relationships team, with responsibility for direct line management of three Corporate Relationship Managers and a Corporate Relationship Executive.

• Ensure consistent quality relationship management for all members and funders through delivery of a holistic partnership approach which meets individual needs and enables each partner to engage fully with all relevant parts of EngineeringUK’s work. This is working to a target of 90% retention of our membership (£400k in 2023/24, with annual growth as applicable).

• Grow engagement with existing members and funders through identifying new or enhanced funding opportunities, engaging a wide range of departments within their organisation, and securing opportunities for them to support our work in non-financial ways.

• Organise the quarterly B&I panel meetings for members, ensuring that agenda are compelling and the necessary follow-up is conducted to move discussions forward and demonstrate the value of these engagements.

• Utilise existing and develop new processes to report on activity for each member and funder, enabling us to spot trends, share best practice, and support ongoing development of our work.

• Work collaboratively with B&I colleagues, ensuring collaboration across the three teams to maximise efficiency and effectiveness for delivering our objectives.

• Work collaboratively with colleagues across EngineeringUK to deliver on partner expectations, support delivery of other teams’ objectives through our partners, and identify new opportunities for partners to get further involved with our work.

• Keep updated on key market trends through regular horizon scanning and utilising the expertise of our partners, sharing this information with colleagues across EngineeringUK to assist with business development, programme development, and policy work amongst others.

• Attend relevant EngineeringUK and external meetings to showcase our work and speak fluently about what we do, report on progress, canvas views and engage stakeholders as required.

• Deploy influencing skills where necessary to meet our team objectives and enable EngineeringUK growth.

Please note that this is a general guide to the key aspects and responsibilities within this role, it is not exhaustive. You may also be asked to undertake other tasks and duties as directed and required by the Director of Business Development and Partnerships.

 Person specification

• Evidence of relationship management expertise across a range of sectors, managing and growing partnerships, ideally within the non-for-profit sector or with a STEM outreach focus.

• Experience of team leadership and line management, with the ability to demonstrate the difference between the two.

• Personal and professional credibility as an outstanding leader in the delivery of STEM engagement strategies, or demonstrable ability and willingness to develop and learn.

• Experience of optimising business processes to ensure efficient and effective team performance.

• Ability to influence and bring others with you when making decisions or changes to processes, whilst also being able to adapt your own viewpoint following input from others.

• Evidence of strong forecasting and financial management, with strong attention to detail.

• An excellent team player who fosters collaborative working.

• Strong influencing and commercial negotiation skills.

• Able to make decisions quickly and aptly with minimal supervision, while being astute to consult as widely as appropriate when the situation warrants it.

• Experience of writing and presenting persuasive and effective proposals.

• Good time management and prioritisation

• Demonstrable alignment and support for EngineeringUK values and a commitment to achieving the organisation’s goals.

Education / level of experience

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a senior relationship management role.

• Evidence of strategic thinking in own expert delivery area.

• Experience of delivering and assessing STEM engagement strategies, or similar relevant experience.   

• Formal education qualifications are not required, but evidence of continuing professional development is very welcome.

Application process and interviews

Applications will be assessed against the requirements for the post as set out in the Role Profile and Person Specification. Successful candidates will be invited to attend a panel interview and may be asked to complete a brief task.

EngineeringUK are working hard to be a disability confident employer. Please let us know if there are  any reasonable adjustments we can make for you during this recruitment process and beyond. Just email hr@engineeringuk.com with details of your needs and how we can support you.

EngineeringUK is an inclusive organisation; we welcome everyone with all skills, experiences, and backgrounds. Each applicant will be individually assessed regardless of gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, marital or civil partner status, gender reassignment, ethnicity, colour, national origin, religion or belief, disability or age. We are an equal opportunities employer and are open to flexible working, including job share.