Business Development Lead

University-of-Oxford; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 49,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

38 days annual leave

Family leave scheme

Hybrid working

Cycle loan scheme

Bus travel discounts

Job summary

The University of Oxford’s Department of Politics and International Relations seeks a Business Partnerships Lead for the Programme for Global Leadership. You will build strategic business engagements, manage senior stakeholder relationships, and drive income targets across executive education portfolios.

You will lead proposals, manage partnerships, and represent the project at external events, with travel UK and internationally as required. Fixed-term, full-time, available asap.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent experience in business development or related field.
• Significant experience developing and managing strategic partnerships with senior stakeholders.
• Track record delivering income targets through identifying opportunities and proposals.

Responsibilities

• Lead partnership lifecycle from identification to tender submissions and delivery.
• Manage executive education partnerships and recruitment for programmes.
• Prepare forecasts, business plans and performance reports; maintain CRM pipelines.

Skills

Relationship management

Strategic partnerships

Proposal development

CRM systems

Education

Degree or equivalent experience

Tools

CRM software

Job description

Manor Road Building, Manor Road, Oxford, OX1 3UQ

Job title: Business Partnerships Lead – Programme for Global Leadership Vacancy ID: 188724 Location:Department of Politics and International Relations, Manor Road Building, Oxford, OX1 3UQ Salary:Grade 8: £49,119 - £58,265 per annum (pro rata for part-time). This is inclusive of a pensionable Oxford University Weighting of £1,730 per year (pro rata). Contract:Fixed-Term

About Us
The Department of Politics and International Relations (DPIR) is one of Oxford’s largest and most internationally recognised departments, home to around 90 academic staff and a thriving community of researchers and visitors. Ranked the Number One University in the UK for Politics by The Guardian in 2024, the department delivers world‑class teaching and research supported by experienced Professional Services teams working across Courses, Research, Finance, HR and Communications. We are committed to equality of opportunity and an inclusive working environment and are proud to hold an Athena Swan Bronze Award. DPIR is based in the Social Sciences Building on Manor Road, alongside Economics, Criminology, Socio-Legal Studies and the Social Science Library.

What We Offer

Working at the University of Oxford offers several exclusive benefits, such as:

38 days of annual leave (pro rata if part time and inclusive of public holidays) to support your wellbeing and additionalleave after long service.

One of the most generous family leave schemes in UK higher education, offering up to 26 weeks of full-pay maternity and adoption leave, plus 12 weeks of full-pay paternity/partner leave.

A commitment to hybrid and flexible working to suit your lifestyle.

Affordable and sustainable commuting options, including a cycle loan scheme, discounted bus travel, and season ticket loans.

Access to a vibrant community through our social, cultural, and sports clubs.

About the Role

The Oxford Character Project (OCP), part of the Programme for Global Leadership at DPIR, is seeking a Business Partnerships Lead to lead the development and delivery of its business engagement strategy. The OCP explores how leadership can be a force for good in an increasingly interconnected and rapidly changing world, with a distinctive focus on the role of character, and is committed to education that forms ethical and effective leaders.

Working closely with the Director of the Oxford Leadership and Character Programme (OLCP) and academic colleagues, you will build strategic partnerships that extend the reach and impact of the Project’s executive education portfolio, including OLCP and a range of business consultancy activities. You will lead the full partnership lifecycle, from identifying new opportunities and preparing proposals, business cases and tender submissions, through to overseeing successful delivery. You will act as principal relationship manager for business partners, lead participant and organisational recruitment for executive education programmes, and work with academic colleagues to translate research into practical leadership solutions for organisations.

The postholder will be responsible for delivering annual business development and income targets across the Programme’s full portfolio, including generating programme income in the region of £900,000 in the first year, rising in subsequent years in line with agreed growth plans. You will also prepare financial forecasts, business plans and performance reports, maintain partnership pipelines in CRM systems, and represent the OCP externally at conferences, networking events and meetings with senior organisational leaders.

About You

You will be educated to degree level, or have equivalent experience, in business development, executive education, communications, organisational development, management, fundraising or a related discipline. You will bring significant experience of developing and managing strategic partnerships with senior organisational stakeholders, and demonstrable success in business development, from identifying opportunities and developing proposals to securing new partnerships, with strong commercial awareness and a track record of delivering against income or revenue targets.

You will have excellent relationship management and influencing skills, with the credibility to engage senior executives, academics and external partners, and experience of leading complex projects involving multiple stakeholders, budgets and competing priorities. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong analytical skills, confidence using CRM systems and digital tools, and the ability to manage multiple priorities to tight deadlines are essential. You should be willing to travel within the UK and internationally where required.

Knowledge of or experience in character and leadership development, experience in executive education or research commercialisation, and an understanding of the University of Oxford and its collegiate environment would be an advantage. Full details of the selection criteria are set out in the job description.

This position is fixed term and is full-time, and available from as soon as possible.

If you have any questions about the role, please contact the DPIR HR Team at [e-mail].

All enquiries will be treated in strict confidence and will not form part of the selection decision.

DPIR is proud to hold an Athena Swan Bronze Award, recognising our commitment to advancing gender equality.