Head of Development – Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust (OHC&AT)

Orchard Hill College; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational organization in Greater London seeks a strategic Head of Development. This role involves identifying growth opportunities, overseeing project management, and ensuring the integration of new educational provisions. Candidates should have a degree and extensive experience in strategic roles within education. The position offers comprehensive training, career progression opportunities, and a supportive work environment.

Benefits

Comprehensive training and development

Access to employee assistance programme

Generous annual leave

Teachers Pension Scheme

Enhanced parental leave schemes

Discounted gym membership

Qualifications

• Significant experience in strategic development or programme leadership role in education.
• Demonstrable experience managing successful expansions or capital projects.
• Proven project and programme management expertise.

Responsibilities

• Research and identify growth opportunities, including service model development.
• Lead development of strategic business cases and feasibility assessments.
• Oversee development projects, including planning and risk management.

Skills

Strategic development expertise

Strong communication skills

Project management

Inclusive education commitment

Education

Degree level education or equivalent

Job description

Overview

Supporting our academies and college, OHC&AT also operates learning support, such as nursing and therapy, and a central business team which includes HR, finance and IT. We are seeking a strategic and forward-thinking Head of Development to join our senior leadership team. This pivotal role will drive our growth agenda, ensuring new opportunities are identified, developed and delivered to support the continued success and impact of OHC&AT.

Responsibilities

• Research and identify opportunities for growth, including expansion of existing provisions, acquiring schools/college centres and developing new service models
• Lead on feasibility assessments and the development of strategic business cases for agreed projects
• Lead on statutory consultations and Equality Impact Assessments as required
• Lead on the submission of bids and proposals to external partners and agencies as required
• Undertake due diligence for new schools and college centres joining OHC&AT
• Manage the integration process for new schools and college centres joining OHC&AT
• Oversee all aspects of development projects, including planning, budgets, timelines, risk management, and reporting
• Monitor progress of development projects, manage risks, and resolve issues as they arise to ensure successful completion at development stage

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent
• Significant experience in a strategic development, or a programme leadership role within education or a related public sector environment
• Demonstrable experience of managing successful expansions, acquisitions, or capital projects
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to write clear and persuasive business cases and proposals
• Proven project and programme management expertise, with a track record of delivering complex initiatives on time and to budget
• A strong personal commitment to inclusive education and improving outcomes for children and young people with special needs

Benefits

• Comprehensive training and development
• Opportunities to engage with internal professional networks
• Access to counselling advice and support via Health Assured (our employee assistance programme)
• Commitment to wellbeing supported by our occupational health service and mental-health first aiders
• Scope for career progression across nine college centres, 13 academy schools and Central Teams
• Generous annual leave and flexible working schemes in addition to bank and public holidays and a Christmas closure period
• As part of your contract of employment you will enrolled into the Teachers Pension Scheme (TPS) which has life cover and financial protection for your family
• Enhanced parental leave schemes
• Cycle to work scheme
• Season ticket loans
• Employee referral scheme
• Discounted gym membership subscription including digital fitness
• Home electronics scheme