Head of Development

Orchard Hill College Academy Trust; Greater London; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Wellbeing support

Flexible working

Job summary

Orchard Hill College Academy Trust is seeking a Senior leader to drive strategic growth and partnerships, reporting to the Executive Director of Strategy and Partnerships. The role focuses on expansions, acquisitions and new service models to deliver the trust's 2030 strategy.

The post is permanent and full-time with visa sponsorship not available. It emphasises inclusive education for children and young people with SEND, and offers progression pathways and wellbeing support.

Qualifications

• Extensive track record in strategic development or growth within education/public sector.
• Proven ability to deliver complex expansions, acquisitions or growth initiatives.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building across all stakeholder levels; strong PM/leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Identify and deliver strategic growth opportunities including expansions and new service models.
• Build partnerships with the Department for Education, local authorities, multi-academy trusts and other stakeholders.
• Manage a portfolio of development projects against timelines, budgets, quality standards and strategic objectives.
• Lead due diligence, onboarding and integration for schools and organisations joining the Trust.
• Produce business cases, bids, proposals and strategic reports to support growth, sustainability and organisational development.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Programme management

Job description

Senior leadership post at Orchard Hill College Academy Trust, reporting to the Executive Director of Strategy and Partnerships. It leads the development of growth initiatives, including new provisions, partnerships, acquisitions and expansion, in support of the Trust's strategy to 2030. The work centres on children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, and the post is permanent and full-time. Visa sponsorship is not available.

What the job involves

• Lead identification, development and delivery of strategic growth opportunities, including school and college expansion, acquisitions and new service models
• Build and maintain partnerships with the Department for Education, local authorities, multi-academy trusts and other stakeholders
• Manage a portfolio of development projects against timelines, budgets, quality standards and strategic objectives
• Lead due diligence, onboarding and integration for schools and organisations joining the Trust
• Produce business cases, bids, proposals and strategic reports to support growth, sustainability and organisational development

What’s required

Experience

• Significant experience in a strategic development, programme leadership or growth-focused role in education or a related public sector setting
• Proven record of delivering complex projects, expansions, acquisitions or organisational growth initiatives

Skills & knowledge

• Excellent communication, influencing and relationship-building skills, engaging stakeholders at all levels
• Strong project and programme management, including developing business cases and managing multiple priorities

Checks & eligibility

• Full enhanced DBS check
• Right to work in the UK

Other

• Genuine commitment to inclusive education and improving outcomes for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities

What’s offered

• Pathways for progression within the Trust
• Pension in the LGPS or TPS, with life cover
• Salary sacrifice schemes for cycle, car lease and home electronics
• Wellbeing support including counselling, mental health support, EAP, MyGym and eyecare discounts, and virtual GP appointments
• Generous leave, flexible working and enhanced parental leave
• Employee discounts including Blue Light Card and Costco membership
• Season ticket loan
• Employee referral scheme