Senior Employer Engagement Officer

9-12 months Fixed Term Contract /Secondment Opportunity

This role is for Maternity Cover 

Hackney is one of Britain’s most exciting and fastest changing boroughs. Hackney Council has changed the reputation, not just of the Council, but of Hackney itself. The challenges over the last two years have intensified the need for action, and we are determined to rebuild Hackney for and with our diverse communities. 

Are you a proactive relationship builder with a passion for driving inclusive economic growth? The London Borough of Hackney is seeking a Senior Employer Engagement Officer to bridge the gap between local businesses and residents facing severe labour market disadvantages. 

You will leverage the Council’s strong reputation, planning powers, procurement instruments, and growth and skills levy to create employer led pathways into sustainable jobs. You will be instrumental in reshaping how local, regional, and growth-sector employers approach recruitment, ensuring that disabled residents and disadvantaged groups have fair, ring fenced access to Hackney’s booming economy. 

The successful applicant will have a passion and strong understanding of the barriers faced by disabled job seekers or those with long-term health conditions, alongside the ability to advise employers on reasonable adjustments and accessible hiring practices. 

The successful applicant will work with colleagues across the council and external stakeholders, to drive the delivery of employment and skills-related objectives. The post-holder will evaluate council procurement tenders and co-design and monitor Employment and Skills Plans to ensure targets are met. 

The successful applicant will be self-motivated, organised with the ability to develop and maintain relationships with a wide range of people. A positive attitude is essential, as is a willingness to work autonomously, use creative mechanisms to overcome challenges, take risks and be prepared to fail.

Hackney is one of the most dynamic and progressive local authorities in the UK. We are a resilient, vibrant, and creative borough in the heart of London, with strong, diverse communities and a powerful set of shared values.

As a Council, our most outstanding asset is our staff, who are highly dedicated to serving our residents and committed to our goals as an organisation.

If you want to work in a place where you can represent our values so we achieve the best for our residents, please click on the apply button below.

We operate a fair and open anonymous selection process. Therefore, we do not accept supporting statements or CV’s.

To proceed with your application, you will need to create an account and submit your application.

As part of the application process, you will need to complete a number of competency based questions. These questions allow you to demonstrate your suitability for the role and provide examples of your skills, knowledge and experience outlined in the job description.

We understand the benefits of using AI in the workplace. However, if you are thinking of using this tool to submit your application, we ask you to think about what value it will add. AI tools tend to lack the personal touch and authenticity we value in candidates. We encourage you to showcase your unique knowledge and skills using your own voice.

Closing date for applications: 24 August 2026 (22:59)

Interview and assessment date: W/C 14 September 2026

We are also working towards our vision, which is to be a place for everyone; where residents and staff can be proud. In order to achieve this, we are seeking individuals who embody our “PROUD” values: Purpose and Respect, where we foster belonging through active inclusion, kindness, and open dialogue; Ownership, where we champion proactive collaboration and accountability for our shared success; and Unity and Diversity, where we work as one Council to break down silos and champion anti-racist behavior.

Hackney Council works to eradicate discrimination on the basis of race, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy and maternity, age and marital status. We also recognise that people can be disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances, so we will also work to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage caused by social class. We also welcome those interested in flexible working. We particularly welcome applications from disabled people, as this group is currently under represented in our workforce.

The Council has a dedicated employment support service (Hackney Works), which offers Hackney residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you are thinking about applying for a job, please contact the Hackney Works team to find out what support is available: hackneyworks@hackney.gov.uk