Make Your Mark on the Future of Automotive Talent

The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) is seeking a dynamic, organised and commercially minded Skills Competition Manager to lead the delivery and development of our renowned skills competition programme – a flagship initiative aligned with WorldSkills UK standards. If you're passionate about vocational excellence, industry partnerships, and inspiring the next generation of automotive talent, this is your opportunity to drive real impact.

About the Role

As Skills Competition Manager, you will lead the end-to-end management of the IMI’s Skills Competitions – from planning and promotion, through to regional heats and national finals. You'll work closely with a wide network of stakeholders including employers, training providers, competitors, judges, sponsors, and WorldSkills UK.

This role plays a key part in promoting the automotive sector as a vibrant and rewarding career destination, while supporting learners to achieve excellence through competition.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the full competition lifecycle, ensuring smooth delivery and alignment with IMI and WorldSkills UK standards.
• Engage and support competitors, providing guidance, training pathways, and progression opportunities – including Team UK development.
• Build strong partnerships across the automotive industry, acting as a key liaison with employers, training providers, and sponsors.
• Drive commercial success by developing sponsorship packages and securing external funding to sustain and grow the programme.
• Ensure quality and compliance with all health & safety, safeguarding, and EDI requirements.
• Promote the programme in collaboration with our marketing team, championing success stories and raising the profile of skills competitions across the UK.

What We’re Looking For

• Proven experience in project or event management, preferably within education, training, or vocational skills.
• Strong understanding of the automotive sector with a genuine interest in promoting it as a career.
• Demonstrated success in stakeholder engagement – you’re confident building relationships at all levels.
• Experience in commercial development or sponsorship generation is highly desirable.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills, with a commitment to delivering high-quality outcomes.
• A proactive, strategic thinker with a passion for supporting young people and promoting skills excellence.

To find out more about this vacancy click here to read the full job description.

Benefits

• Salary of £45,000 - £50,000 dependant on skill and experience
• Remote based
• 8% non-contributory pension
• 28 days annual leave + Bank holidays
• Private healthcare for self and spouse/partner (opt in)
• Remote GP service (opt in)
• Medical cashback scheme (opt in)
• 3 x death in service
• Professional membership paid
• Annual training & development fund
• Discounted gym membership
• Wellbeing support helpline
• Retail discounts

We are committed to building a more equitable and inclusive workplace.  Please let us know if there are any reasonable adjustments that we can make to enable you to be successful in this role.

As part of our Disability Confident Commitment we guarantee that we will interview any disabled applicant who meets the qualification or experience criteria set and also provides acceptable evidence of the skills and qualities we have asked.  

We are not a licensed sponsor at this time. Any offer of employment will be made subject to the applicant residing in the UK and a valid right to work in the UK being provided.