Location
Sutton

Hours
Full Time (hours not specified)

Salary
£50,568 per annum

About the Role
Supporting our academies and college, Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust (OHC&AT) also operates learning support services such as nursing and therapy, alongside a central business team including 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 by identifying, developing, and delivering new opportunities to support the continued success and impact of OHC&AT.

Key responsibilities include researching and identifying growth opportunities such as expanding existing provisions, acquiring schools and college centres, and developing new service models. You will lead feasibility assessments, develop strategic business cases, manage statutory consultations and Equality Impact Assessments, and oversee bid submissions to external partners and agencies. Additionally, you will undertake due diligence and manage the integration process for new schools and college centres joining OHC&AT. The role involves overseeing all aspects of development projects including planning, budgeting, timelines, risk management, and reporting, while monitoring progress and resolving issues to ensure successful completion.

Experience
- Significant experience in a strategic development or programme leadership role within education or a related public sector environment
- Demonstrable experience managing successful expansions, acquisitions, or capital projects
- Proven project and programme management expertise with a track record of delivering complex initiatives on time and within budget
- Strong communication skills, including the ability to write clear and persuasive business cases and proposals

About you
- Strategic and forward-thinking mindset
- Strong personal commitment to inclusive education and improving outcomes for children and young people with special needs
- Ability to lead and manage multiple development projects effectively

Qualifications
- Educated to degree level or equivalent

Rewards & Benefits
- Comprehensive training and development opportunities
- Access to internal professional networks
- Employee assistance programme including counselling advice and support via Health Assured
- Wellbeing support through occupational health services and mental health first aiders
- Career progression opportunities across nine college centres, 13 academy schools, and Central Teams
- Generous annual leave and flexible working schemes, plus bank/public holidays and Christmas closure
- Enrollment in the Teachers Pension Scheme (TPS) with life cover and financial protection
- Enhanced parental leave schemes
- Cycle to work scheme
- Season ticket loans
- Employee referral scheme
- Discounted gym membership including digital fitness
- Home electronics scheme