Careers & Employer Engagement Manager – Creative 52900

LCCA is a contemporary institution, offering a range of programmes. Our students embark on a journey which is designed to meet their academic and personal demands. At the very heart of our vision is a student-centred learning and teaching methodology which is progressive, forward-thinking, modern, and designed to meet our learners’ needs.

Our academic team consists of modern, progressive, professionals who have what it takes to motivate students from a variety of backgrounds, to inspire belief in students who are striving for professional and personal recognition and to drive students towards successful lives.

You will have a distinct skill set; a ‘can-do’ attitude - and should demonstrate the consistent ability to put the core elements of our learning and teaching philosophy into practice, both in the strategic implementation of experiential teaching activities and in the management of high-class teaching delivery.

The underpinning philosophy of LCCA is as follows:

• Through experiential teaching we aim to provide students with a ‘real-life’ skill set which is transferable out of the classroom and into the world of work.
• Through ‘chunked learning’ we aim to ensure students are thoroughly engaged and motivated by their teachers.
• Through ‘deliberate reflection’ we aim to get students thinking about their role in the learning experience and to embed their knowledge for future use.
• Through regular and precise feedback, we aim to offer students ways to improve their skills and knowledge on a daily basis.

LCCA is an ambitious, dynamic institution committed to developing confident, creative graduates ready for the evolving world of work. Our Careers & Employability team plays a crucial role in preparing our diverse student community, including mature and widening participation learners—for successful graduate outcomes.

Position

We are seeking a Careers & Employer Engagement Manager – Creative who will play a pivotal role in both embedding employability within our programmes and strengthening our employer network in the Creative Industries (e.g., design, gaming, fashion, media). This role will lead the development of high-quality careers support, employer partnerships, and placement opportunities, ensuring that students graduate with the skills and industry experience needed to succeed in their chosen careers.

Purpose of the Role

This role combines student career development with employer engagement, ensuring that LCCA students gain relevant work experience, develop essential employability skills, and secure graduate employment. The Careers & Employer Engagement Manager will work closely with academic staff, industry employers, and external partners to design and deliver tailored employability programmes, internships, and work-based learning initiatives.

Requirements

Key Activities & Responsibilities

• Student & Graduate Support
• Provide live, in-person careers support to students and graduates as part of the Careers Studio.
• Deliver one-to-one career coaching and group employability workshops, tailored to the Creative Industries.
• Integrate employability within curriculum delivery, working with academics to ensure alignment with industry needs.
• Develop digital careers resources and ensure effective use of virtual careers platforms (e.g., Abintegro, Handshake).

Employer Engagement & Industry Partnerships

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with employers, industry bodies, and alumni in the Creative sector.
• Source entry-level jobs, internships, placements, and graduate opportunities for students.
• Establish employer hubs on campus for networking, student-industry collaboration, and live projects.
• Organise an annual creative careers fair, termly networking events, and employer-led workshops.
• Take a Key Account Management approach, ensuring sustained employer engagement.

Placement & Work-Based Learning Opportunities

• Develop structured work-based learning pathways, ensuring that students gain practical industry experience for courses that have current requirements and also future courses
• Work with employers to co-design live projects, industry briefs, and mentoring opportunities.
• Collaborate with faculty to integrate placements and work-based learning into academic programmes.
• Support students in securing internships, industry projects, and part-time creative roles.

Service Development & Strategy

• Support the development of policies, procedures, and best practices for employer engagement and placements.
• Monitor, analyse, and report on student employability data and employer engagement metrics.
• Stay informed about industry trends and changes in the Creative labour market to inform careers provision.
• Identify strategic employer partnerships that align with LCCA’s vision and student needs.

Experience Requirements

Essential:

• Proven experience in careers/employability services or employer engagement (HE sector or industry).
• Experience delivering career development workshops and coaching.
• Strong relationship-building experience with employers or industry bodies.
• Experience sourcing and managing internships, placements, or graduate roles.

Desirable:

• Specialist knowledge of Creative Industries recruitment and labour markets.
• Experience working with mature, diverse, or widening participation students.
• Experience developing digital employability resources and careers platforms.

Educational Requirements

Essential:

Degree or equivalent qualification.

Desirable:

• Postgraduate qualification in Career Development, Coaching, or Teaching.
• Degree or experience in the Creative Industries (Design, Gaming, Fashion, Media).

Skills & Knowledge

Essential:

• Strong understanding of graduate labour markets in the Creative Industries.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and networking skills.
• Strong IT skills, including careers platforms (e.g., Abintegro, Handshake), CRM systems, and MS Office.
• Ability to develop employer engagement strategies and secure student opportunities.
• Strong project management and organisational skills.
• Student-focused, proactive approach to employability and career development.

Desirable:

• Understanding of Higher Education structures and employability frameworks.
• Knowledge of work-based learning models, placements, and employer engagement strategies.

Competencies & Personal Attributes

• Highly organised, proactive, and able to manage multiple priorities.
• Innovative and creative approach to employer engagement and student support.
• Passionate about student career development and industry partnerships.
• Able to work both independently and collaboratively with stakeholders.
• Committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Business Requirements

• Occasional need for evening or weekend work to support employer and student events.
• Travel to employer sites, industry events, and local campuses.

Other information

Why Join LCCA?

• Opportunity to shape a new Careers & Employability model for creative students.
• Develop strong industry connections and employer partnerships.
• Make a real impact on student employability and graduate outcomes.
• Work in a creative and dynamic higher education environment.
• Future Growth: Careers & Employer Engagement Officer – Creative

This role is a strategic hire, and in the future, LCCA plans to expand the team by recruiting a Careers & Employer Engagement Officer – Creative to further support employer partnerships, placements, and student careers initiatives.