Head of Development

Salary Scale: Grade PO5/6/7 £50,568 - £58,692

Location: Copthall House 9, The Pavement, Grove Road, Sutton, Surrey, SM1 1DA (Hybrid - office/home working)

Hours: Full-time 36 hrs per week all year round

Department: Development Team

Reports to: Executive Director of Development

Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust (OHC&AT) is a family of specialist education providers for over 2000 pupils and students from nursery to further education across 13 academies and 9 college centres in London, Surrey, Sussex and Berkshire.

Pupils and students within the OHC&AT family have a wide range of learning abilities and additional needs including autistic spectrum disorder; speech, language and communication difficulties; social, emotional and mental health; profound and multiple disabilities; and physical disabilities including multi-sensory impairment and complex health needs.

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.

OHC&AT is a rewarding and inspirational place to work, where everyone works together to create the best possible outcomes for pupils and students.

Closing date: 28th September 2025

Interview dates: 15th & 16th October 2025

Safeguarding Statement

Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Appointments made will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.

Orchard Hill College and Academy Trust is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, committed to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace for all.