Business Development Manager, UK (Higher Education)

We are currently recruiting a Business Development Manager, UK (Higher Education) for a Permanent contract. 
This role is hybrid, both working from home and in our Edinburgh or Oxford offices. We would particularly encourage applications from individuals based in the Midlands/Central UK.

The successful candidate will spend approximately 15 days per month engaging with stakeholders/face to face meetings. Approximately once per month, travel to the Edinburgh or London hub would be expected.

We encourage our colleagues to work flexibly between home and the hub to suit their needs and preferences, in line with our hybrid working policy.
Colleagues are able to work their hours flexibly, in line with core business hours and requirements. We also offer formalised flexible working agreements.  

The starting salary is £54,055. 
To apply, please send a CV and cover letter to HRsupport@actuaries.org.uk by the closing date of Friday 22 May 2026.
The selection process will consist of 2 stages and will include a presentation at second stage. Interviews will take place on Tuesday 9 June and/or Friday 12 June 2026.

Purpose of the job

Reporting to the Head of UK, Europe and Employers, this role is responsible for leading the IFoA’s strategy to build strong, influential, and sustainable relationships with universities, schools, early‑career communities and graduate recruitment stakeholders across the UK. The purpose is to promote the actuarial profession, increase awareness of actuarial career pathways, and grow the pipeline of future actuarial students and IFoA members.

The post‑holder will act as the IFoA’s key representative to the UK education sector—connecting universities, schools and employers—ensuring coordinated activity that strengthens the profession’s presence and attracts diverse student talent.

The main areas of responsibility for this position within the UK are:

• Help develop and lead the delivery of the UK education and early‑talent engagement plan, with a particular focus on universities and schools.
• Build, strengthen and manage relationships with actuarial and STEM faculties, careers services, academic leaders, school networks and graduate recruitment teams.
• Promote actuarial careers to students, parents, teachers, academics and early‑career audiences through events, presentations, outreach programmes and digital channels.
• Connect universities, schools and employers to support student pathways—such as internships, work‑experience opportunities, career insight sessions and employer engagement.
• Identify opportunities to expand the IFoA’s presence in the education sector and increase awareness of the profession across diverse student communities.
• Train, brief and support IFoA staff, volunteers and ambassadors to deliver consistent and high‑quality representation at education events.
• Support the attraction strategy for IFoA qualifications, contributing to a sustained pipeline of student actuaries.
• Gather insight on student expectations, academic trends and graduate recruitment practices to inform the IFoA’s wider market activity.
• Work with internal teams across Education, Marketing, Public Affairs and Membership to ensure aligned messaging and coordinated outreach.
• Represent the IFoA professionally at university fairs, employer‑led student events, school programmes, professional body activities and regional education forums.

Working as a cross-functioning team this role will also support employer engagement activities in the UK when required.

Key result areas

Key results fall into the following main areas and will be measured by new member acquisition and member and volunteer satisfaction metrics:

Universities and schools

• Drive the university engagement strategy and build strong relationships with priority institutions.
• Lead account management of university faculty partners, identifying opportunities for new IFoA accredited universities, joint initiatives, research links, employer‑academia collaboration and student development activities.
• Ensure academic institutions have clear, accessible information about IFoA qualifications and student pathways.
• Develop and execute outreach programmes that inspire more students—particularly from underrepresented groups—to consider the profession.
• Strengthen relationships with schools and school networks to elevate awareness of actuarial careers among teachers, career advisers and students.

The UK education and talent pipeline market

• Support development and delivery of the UK market plan with a focus on new member acquisition.
• Identify opportunities to connect employers with universities and schools to support internships, placements, insight days and employability initiatives.
• Translate student, academic and graduate‑market insights into recommendations for IFoA strategy and action.
• Contribute to the development of the IFoA’s value proposition for students and academics.

Strategy

• Contribute to the partnerships and education engagement channels of the IFoA’s wider strategy.
• Collaborate with internal teams to deliver initiatives aligned to future skills, qualification pathways and market needs.

Reputation and influence

• Build and manage networks of academic partners, student societies, volunteers and brand ambassadors.
• Represent the IFoA in education‑sector bodies, career forums, employer‑university meetings and relevant external events.
• Enhance the IFoA’s influence in the UK education landscape and wider early‑careers ecosystem.
• Maintain awareness of key policy issues in education, professional learning, and graduate recruitment and ensure these inform IFoA positioning.

Organisation

• Reports directly to the Head of UK, Europe and Employers.
• Works closely with Education & Learning, Marketing, Member Services, Public Affairs & Research and the wider Markets Group.
• Operates with autonomy while contributing to a collaborative team environment.

Main contacts

Internal: 

• Head of Markets
• Head of UK, Europe and Employers 
• Marketing and Communications
• Education & Learning
• Member Services
• Public Affairs & Research
• Market Development Group
• Volunteers and senior members

External: 

• University academics and faculty leaders
• Careers services and employability teams
• Graduate recruiters and early‑talent representatives
• Student societies and association leaders
• Prospective students, undergraduates and graduates
• School networks, teachers and career advisers

Knowledge and experience

Qualifications:

• Tertiary Qualification in Business, Education, or related discipline and/or substantial business development experience in a strategic account management setting  

Language:

• Proficient in written and spoken English

Essential:

• Experience working with early‑career programs or talent development initiatives.
• Strong experience in university engagement, graduate recruitment, education outreach or related partnership‑building roles.
• Demonstrable ability to build and manage effective relationships with academics, careers advisers and graduate recruitment stakeholders.
• Excellent presentation skills and the confidence to represent the IFoA at large‑scale education events.
• Ability to train and brief others to represent the IFoA effectively.
• Strong influencing, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines and ensure high‑quality outputs.
• Professionalism, integrity and alignment with IFoA values.
• Flexible and adaptable—able to respond to a developing strategy in a growing area.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications.

Desirable:

• Understanding of professional‑qualification pathways and/or STEM education.
• Understanding of the UK Financial Services sector
• Existing networks within the UK education sector.

Alternative format and adjustments

Please email the HR Team if you require:

• any information regarding our vacancies in an alternative format
• any adjustments to support you to fully participate in any part of the application and recruitment process

Any information shared will be used only to enable us to make reasonable adjustments to support candidates to participate in the recruitment process. It will not inform selection decisions.

You can reach us at HRsupport@actuaries.org.uk.