P-TECH Employer Engagement Manager

Purpose of Position:

The P-TECH Employer Engagement Manager will play a key role in effective stakeholder support and the successful implementation of programme learning activities particularly in relation to industry partner involvement.

This includes - but is not limited to - the support and coordination of mentoring relationships, work placement initiatives, organisation of guest speakers and industry partner inputs into the P-TECH programme.

P-TECH programme :

P-TECH is a highly innovative educational initiative that combines post-primary school with elements of higher education and workplace experiences with a view to building a range of 21st Century skills for students in the North-East Inner City (NEIC).

P-TECH operates through a three-way partnership between schools, higher/further education institutions and industry partners. It includes a structured workplace learning strand with mentoring, worksite visits, speakers, and project days and a range of authentic learning opportunities to develop business and digital competencies including IT skills, digital literacy, emerging technologies, project management skills, communication skills, teamwork and problem-solving.

The students involved in the programme work towards the achievement of a Level 6 10 ECTs Special Purpose Award.

Additionally, a pilot P-TECH tertiary degree programme, a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Digital and Business Skills (DABS) began in September 2024. DABS is a bespoke education progression option for P-TECH students and is designed to equip students with a broad range of employability competencies, preparing them for a successful career in the ever-changing business and digital world.

P-TECH Project Office:

In 2025, an external review, commissioned by the Department of Education and Youth, was completed to assess the development of the first phase of the pilot. The review noted that while the curriculum and delivery of P-TECH in schools is working very well, the findings highlight areas for improvement, particularly regarding governance, communication, and coordination between stakeholders. Improving workforce-readiness, by equipping students with the critical technical, professional and transversal skills they need, is a challenging social endeavor which has the potential to achieve enduring beneficial outcomes to students of the NEIC and beyond. The next phase of development, including the establishment of a P-TECH Project Office, will involve strengthening the infrastructure and processes and it will be crucial to implement the recommended governance improvements, to enhance strategic oversight, streamline decision-making, and foster better communication among all parties involved.

The P-TECH Project Office will be an independent office responsible for day-to-day operational management of the programme throughout the calendar year. The office will be led by the P-TECH Programme Director, with support from a P-TECH Employer Engagement Manager and a P-TECH School Learning & Support Manager. The role of the office will be to lead, manage and coordinate P-TECH across the schools, industry, and further/higher education. This office will ensure smooth programme delivery, effective stakeholder coordination, and successful implementation of programme activities. It will be accountable to the Steering Committee for ensuring the operational aspects align with the strategic direction provided by the Steering Committee.

Reporting to:

Director of P-TECH Project Office

Key Relationships

• Director of P-TECH Project Office
• P-TECH School Learning & Support Manager
• NCI P-TECH Programme Director
• P-TECH Steering Committee
• Industry Partners (including P-TECH representatives, volunteers, mentors etc.)
• Schools 

Key Responsibilities 

Key roles and responsibilities of the P-TECH Employer Engagement Manager include, but are not limited to:

1. Employer Engagement

• Maintain, nurture and grow relationships with existing industry partners, ensuring meaningful and sustained engagement in mentoring and work experience programmes.
• Identify, approach, and secure new industry partners from diverse sectors.
• Collaborate with industry partners to shape activities that align with both student needs and industry relevance.
• Promote the P-TECH programme to potential partners through presentations, briefings, and networking events.
• Act as the primary contact point for industry partners including the hosting of regular partner meetings and communications

2. School & Community Outreach

• Develop and sustain productive relationships with leadership teams, P-TECH coordinators and P-TECH students in participating DEIS schools.
• Engage with relevant NEIC initiatives, local education networks, and community organisations to maximise alignment and impact.
• Understand and respond to the evolving needs of students and schools in the context of educational disadvantage.
• Facilitate, in collaboration with the P-TECH School Learning & Support Manager, regular joint engagement between schools and industry partners.

3. Programme Delivery Support

• Oversee the coordination and delivery of mentoring programmes, workplace visits, and work placements for over 200 students.
• Work closely with the P-TECH School Learning & Support Manager and other team members to ensure smooth delivery of all programme activities.
• Contribute to resource creation, such as student and employer handbooks, promotional materials, and digital content.
• Support monitoring and evaluation activities, including surveys and impact reporting.

4. Communication & Promotion

• Develop written and visual content for internal and external audiences, highlighting success stories and impact.
• Contribute to the delivery of a targeted employer engagement and outreach campaign across social media, email, and events.
• Represent the P-TECH programme at relevant events and meetings.

Key Attributes and Competencies

• Strong relationship-builder with a proven ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders, particularly employers and schools.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and networking skills.
• Organised and proactive, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, target-driven environment.
• Solid understanding of/experience of working in an educational environment and the supports required to ensure successful implementation of learning.
• Deep commitment to educational equity, social mobility, and inclusive access to opportunity.
• Familiarity with the DEIS programme or similar targeted education interventions is highly desirable.
• Comfortable working with young people, particularly TY and senior cycle students.
• Experience of business development, education partnerships, or CSR/ESG programmes is an advantage.
• Team-oriented, flexible, and responsive to the evolving needs of a dynamic project.
• Strong digital skills including an ability to support digital learning in online environments.

Qualifications and Experience

• Third-level qualification required.
• Minimum 3–5 years’ experience in a relevant area such as employer engagement, education partnerships, community development, or careers/employability.
• Strong digital skills (Ideally, Canva, Word Press, Moodle, MS Office, Teams, etc.)..
• Experience working with DEIS schools or in similar education initiatives is a significant asset.

Contract: 5 Year Fixed term

Salary: Manager Band (€53,836 - €75,508)

Pension: Defined Contribution Pension Scheme.

Probation: Subject to a six-month probationary period.

Location: Based at Mayor Street Lower, International Financial Services Centre, Dublin 1.

Working Hours: Minimum of 35 hours per week (five-day week), with potential evening and weekend work as required.

Annual Leave: The annual leave allowance is 27 days.

National College of Ireland is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where all individuals are valued and respected. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and provide equal opportunities for everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexual orientation, age, religion, or any other protected grounds.

To Apply:

Please apply with a CV and cover letter both in PDF format ONLY, quoting reference number: NCI1017 to: recruitment-cdolan@ncirl.ie by 5:00 pm, 10th September 2025.

Note: The functions and responsibilities assigned to P-TECH Employer Engagement Manager are based on the current stated role and objectives of the College. These functions and responsibilities may alter in line with any change in the role and objectives of the College.

The successful applicant will be subject to Garda Vetting and must not have any convictions under the Sex Offenders Act 2001.

The Importance of Confidentiality

We would like to assure you that protecting confidentiality is our number one priority. You can expect that all enquires, applications and all aspects of the proceedings are treated as strictly confidential and are not disclosed to anyone, outside those directly involved in that aspect of the process.

Candidates' Obligations

In submitting a completed Curriculum Vitae and supporting documentation, candidates are declaring:

• That all the particulars furnished in their application are true and correct without omission and that they are aware of the qualifications and particulars for this position.
• That to the best of their knowledge that there is nothing in relation to their conduct, character or personal background of any nature that would adversely affect the position of trust in which they would be placed by virtue of this appointment.
• Their irrevocable consent to NCI making such enquiries as deemed necessary in respect of their suitability for the post in respect of which their application is made.
• Their acceptance and confirmation of the entitlement of NCI, as appropriate to, reject their application, or to terminate their employment (in the event of a contract of employment having been entered into on foot of this competition) if they have omitted to furnish NCI with any information relevant to their application or their continued employment or where they have made any false statement or misrepresentation relevant to this application or their continuing employment with the College. #

Candidates should note that they may be required to submit documentary evidence in support of any particulars given by them in their application for the post.

Data Protection Acts 1988 to 2018 and the Freedom of Information Acts 1997 to 2014 as amended

Data collected for the purposes of recruitment activities

NCI conducts recruitment processes to fill vacancies within the college. When applying for these competitions applicants are asked to submit a range of documents, e.g., a completed application form, CV and/or a personal statement or cover letter. For the purposes of recruitment activities, we will not collect any personal data that we do not need to assess your candidature for a role with us.

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NCI ’s legal basis for the processing of this data is a combination of individual consent, contractual necessity and legal obligations.

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Applicants can withdraw their consent for the processing of their personal data at any time by notifying the College. It is important to note that withdrawal of consent prior to the completion of the process will be considered as a withdrawal of the application.

What we do with your data

People who are directly employed by NCI and are based in Ireland process all the personal data collected for both recruitment and HR purposes.

Shortlisting

HR draft up the shortlisting documents and provide the initial screening to determine if a person meets the essential criteria of the competition. A shortlisting panel is generally made up of two senior grade staff members from the relevant department for which the role is being recruited.

Sharing of your data

Where you have been successfully shortlisted for a post, each interview panel member will be furnished with a copy of the relevant information of those who will be attending interview in order that they can review applications in advance of the interview process. All such information will be returned to NCI and shredded following the competition process. Some of the interview panel will be external interviewers, who are not employees of NCI but are engaged for the purpose and are strictly subject to the rules and policies of the College.

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Erasure

Applicants can request the data held be erased. In this case, the application for a position is considered withdrawn.

Rectification

Applicants can have any incorrect information corrected.

Objection / Withdraw

Applications can object to this information being processed and/or can request to withdraw from the application process

Complain

Applicants can make a complaint to our internal Information Governance and Data Protection Officer

NCI Information Governance and Data Protection Officer

National College of Ireland, Mayor Street, IFSC, Dublin 1

Tel (Direct): + 353 1 4498 523 ; Tel (Reception): + 353 1 4498 500

And/or make a complaint to the relevant authority

Data Protection Commission, 21 Fitzwilliam Square South, Dublin 2, D02 RD28

Tel: +353 (0) 761 104 800

National College of Ireland is an equal opportunities employer and is a Member of the Athena SWAN Charter. NCI is committed to serving our diverse community and welcomes applications from underrepresented groups.