- School type
- Free School, ages 11 to 19
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- School size
- 604 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 19
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- University Collegiate School website
Industry Engagement Lead
More than one location, Quest (A Church Of England Schools Trust)20 days remaining to apply
Start date details
As soon as possible
Closing date
22 February 2026 at 11:59pm
Date listed
2 February 2026
Job details
Job role
- Administration, HR, data and finance
- Other support roles
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time: 37 hours per week Monday to Friday
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- QUEST Grade H NJC 29-34 £39,862 - £45,091 pay award pending (37 hours per week / full year – term time can be discussed)
What skills and experience we're looking for
Industry Engagement Lead
Do you have experience in education, recruitment, sales or a similar industry? This maybe the perfect opportunity for you to join our QUEST team by supporting our students in engaging industry professionals and developing our students careers opportunities!
Join QUEST Academy Trust and help shape the future of young people from Early Years to Employment
Are you passionate about building meaningful connections between education and industry? Do you want to make a real difference by expanding career opportunities for children and young people across the Northwest? QUEST Academy Trust is seeking an enthusiastic and drivenIndustry Engagement Leadto join our vibrant team and lead the development of employer partnerships that empower our pupils and students to succeed in their career journeys.
About the Role
As theIndustry Engagement Lead, you will be at the heart of connecting QUEST’s educational provision with the world of work. This is a unique opportunity to lead the Trust’s employer engagement strategy, particularly developing the University Technical College (UTC) in Bolton and expanding apprenticeship pathways.
Your role will include:
- Building and maintaining strategic partnerships with local, regional, and national employers to create impactful work experience, mentoring, and apprenticeship opportunities.
- Driving growth in vocational pathways and ensuring pupils and students have access to meaningful employment placements aligned with their career aspirations.
- Leading the implementation of employability strategies across our Trust, embedding employability skills within the curriculum and extracurricular activities.
- Representing QUEST in external forums and aligning our work with regional and national skills strategies.
- Supporting pupils and employers throughout the placement process, from preparation to assessment and ongoing support.
This is a role with significant influence and scope for innovation, where your efforts will directly contribute to shaping young lives and enhancing workforce readiness in our community.
About You
You will bring a genuine passion for empowering young people and a proven ability to build strong, professional relationships with employers and partners. We are looking for someone who:
- Has experience working with young people and engaging employers in education or recruitment settings.
- Demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills, confidence, and a persuasive manner to inspire and negotiate with a variety of stakeholders.
- Is highly organised, accountable, and able to manage multiple projects while maintaining a keen eye for detail.
- Shows a commitment to inclusivity, safeguarding, and upholding the Trust’s values of professionalism, compassion, responsibility, respect, loyalty, and kindness.
- Is proactive, creative, and ready to contribute to a dynamic team environment, sharing best practises and ideas to continually improve our employer engagement offer.
A relevant degree or equivalent qualification is essential, and experience in employer engagement or business management is highly desirable.
Application Details
- Salary:QUEST Grade H NJC 29-34£39,862- £45,091(37 hours per week / full year – term time can be discussed)
- How to apply: Please submit your application toapply@quest-trust.org.uk
- Further information: For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Mr. Marc Doyle (CEO) 07748458006
QUEST Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. An enhanced DBS clearance will be required for the successful applicant.
Join us at QUEST Academy Trust and become a vital part of a community dedicated to unlocking potential, nurturing growth, and preparing young people for a successful future beyond school. We look forward to receiving your application.
What the school offers its staff
What We Offer
- Wellness Day - An additional day leave for you to spend time on your own wellness. A day to rest and recuperate, bringing your best selves back to work
- The chance to work within a forward-thinking, supportive Trust dedicated to professional development and continuous improvement.
- Opportunities to make a real impact on the career readiness and futures of young people
- A collaborative and values-driven culture where your expertise and contributions are valued and celebrated.
- Access to ongoing training and development aligned with the Trust’s commitment to staff growth.
- Family Friendly Policies
- Comprehensive CPD opportunities
- Pension scheme
- The opportunity to lead within a supportive and ambitious Trust committed to your professional growth
- A culture that values wellbeing, collaboration, and shared success
- Access to ongoing leadership development and coaching opportunities
- The satisfaction of making a tangible difference to pupils’ lives and futures
- See employee benefits brochure for further details
About QUEST Academy Trust
QUEST Academy Trust is a flourishing multi-academy trust rooted in strong Christian values, committed to providing a caring, thoughtful, and high-quality education across our family of five schools and nursery settings. Serving over 1700 pupils aged 0 to 19, we nurture each child’s potential through a curriculum and community that reflect their unique needs.
Our vision is clear: to prepare young minds for a lifelong quest for knowledge, character, and service. Our mission —Supporting young people from Early Years to Employment— drives every decision we make. We are proud to foster a professional and compassionate culture where responsibility, respect, loyalty, and kindness shape everything we do.
As we continue to grow, we are focused on building strong governance, enhancing accountability, and creating lasting partnerships to improve outcomes and experiences for all our pupils.
Flexible working opportunities
Term time or term time plus will be considered.
Further information about the job
The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.
Visas cannot be sponsored.
If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.
Commitment to safeguarding
Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.
Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.
Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children
You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.
Applying for the job
This job requires you to download an application form, you will be able to upload the application once complete.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
Additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About Quest (A Church Of England Schools Trust)
- Type
- Multi-academy trust
- Email address
- apply@quest-trust.org.uk
QUEST Academy Trust is a successful and vibrant organisation that provides a caring and thoughtful quality of education across our family of schools within the Northwest region. Established in 2014, we have 4 Good primary schools, nursery settings with before and after school club provisions and the University Collegiate School, Bolton comprising of secondary and sixth form education.
About Our Schools
QUEST Academy Trust educates over 1700 children and young people across its five schools and nursery provisions within the Northwest. Each of our schools are recognised individually – each have their own legacy and history focused upon the educational needs of its children and community.
Schools within the Trust
St Peter’s CE Primary School, Hindley
Hindley Green Community Primary School
St John’s CE Primary School, Hindley Green
St John’s CE Primary School, Abram
University Collegiate School (UCS), Bolton
Play Pals Childcare Limited
Having originally established in 2014, the Trust Board are now looking to expand the number of schools within the Trust. We are currently comprised of one medium sized secondary school in Bolton and four Primaries in Wigan. We also have four Nursery provisions associated with the Trust. The Trust comprises 1700 pupils and 270 staff.
Our vision is to create a strong Trust where the power of relationships, an unwavering commitment to our Christian values, and a focus on lifelong learning that will propel children to achieve well and go on to great things. Our mission, ‘Supporting Children from Early Years to Employment,' shows our steadfast dedication to preparing young minds for a lifelong quest of knowledge, character, and service.
We believe that at the heart of our community lies a commitment to our ‘WHY?’ – the 1700 children that we serve. As a Multi Academy Trust rooted in Christian values, we are guided by the values of respect, compassion, and kindness. These principles underpin everything we do, creating an atmosphere where children and staff flourish in a professional, responsible, and loyal way.
We believe that schools should have their own unique identity so they can serve their local community. We have a strong belief in the power of collaboration with other schools and Trust is key to strengthening the quality of education for the students we serve.
School Details
University Collegiate School
Arranging a visit to Quest (A Church Of England Schools Trust)
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email apply@quest-trust.org.uk.
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