Head of Development – Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust (OHC&AT)
| Posting date: | 02 September 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £50,568 to £58,692 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 28 September 2025 |
| Location: | SM1 1DA |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 1 day per week |
| Company: | Orchard Hill College |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: |
Summary
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.
Key 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.
Key Requirements:
• 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
Rewards & 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
Working together to transform lives is what we do and across the whole organisation we have a range of experts and practitioners who advocate for children and young people with SEND to ensure they receive the best possible opportunities to achieve their full potential.
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.
Key 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.
Key Requirements:
• 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
Rewards & 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
Working together to transform lives is what we do and across the whole organisation we have a range of experts and practitioners who advocate for children and young people with SEND to ensure they receive the best possible opportunities to achieve their full potential.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
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