Head of Development

Licensed sponsor Sutton Full-time Posted 1 hour ago

Salary: OHCAT Management Pay scale, Spine points 24 – 29; £60,218 - £68,570 pa

Location: Hybrid - office/home working; Office is at Copthall House, 9 The Pavement, Grove Road, Sutton, Surrey, SM1 1DA;

Hours: Full-time 36 hrs per week, Permanent; 8.45 am – 4.30 pm M-Th and 8.45 am – 4.15 pm Fr

Department: Development Team

Orchard Hill College Academy Trust (the Trust) is a specialist multi academy trust home to 13 schools across London, Surrey, Sussex and Berkshire.

Established in 2013 by Orchard Hill College, a post-16 specialist education provider, the Trust represents all designations of special education needs and disabilities (SEND) and has a range of experts and practitioners who advocate for children and young people with SEND.

We are seeking an experienced and ambitious Head of Development to play a pivotal role in shaping the future growth of Orchard Hill College Academy Trust. Reporting to the Executive Director of Strategy and Partnerships, this senior leadership role will lead the development and delivery of strategic growth initiatives, including new provisions, partnerships, acquisitions and expansion opportunities.

The successful candidate will be a highly skilled relationship builder with a strong track record of leading complex projects, influencing stakeholders and driving organisational growth within education or the public sector. This is an exciting opportunity to help deliver our Strategy to 2030 and make a lasting impact on the lives of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the identification, development and delivery of strategic growth opportunities, including school and college expansion, acquisitions and new service models.
Build and maintain strong partnerships with the Department for Education, Local Authorities, Multi-Academy Trusts and other key stakeholders.
Manage a portfolio of development projects, ensuring delivery against agreed timelines, budgets, quality standards and strategic objectives.
Lead due diligence, onboarding and integration processes for schools and organisations joining the Trust.
Produce high-quality business cases, bids, proposals and strategic reports to support growth, sustainability and organisational development.

Key Requirements

Significant experience in a strategic development, programme leadership or growth-focused role within education or a related public sector environment.
Proven track record of successfully delivering complex projects, expansions, acquisitions or organisational growth initiatives.
Excellent communication, influencing and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels.
Strong project and programme management expertise, including experience developing business cases and managing multiple priorities.
A genuine commitment to inclusive education and improving outcomes for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.

Rewards & Benefits

Pathways for progression within the trust, ensuring you can grow and thrive in a supportive and inclusive environment
Pension Scheme - you will be enrolled in either the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) or the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS), both offering life cover and financial protection for your family
Salary Sacrifice Schemes (Cycle Scheme, Employee Car Lease Scheme and Home Electronics Scheme)
Employee Wellbeing - We support employee wellbeing with access to counselling, mental health support, generous leave, flexible working, and enhanced parental leave including Employee Assistance Programme, MyGym Discounts, Corporate Eyecare Scheme and Free Virtual GP Appointments
Employee Discounts (Blue Light Card, Costco Membership, Discounts for Teachers, and more)
Other (Season Ticket Loan and Employee Referral Scheme)

Find out what makes OHCAT a truly rewarding place to work – visit our ‘Work for Us’ page to learn more about opportunities across the Trust and the difference our staff make every day.

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.

As a large specialist education provider we employ over 1500 people across our schools, college and central support team. There is a wide range of job roles available, ranging from teaching and therapy to business support roles and significant career progression opportunities.

It is an exciting time to be part of OHCAT and we are keen to recruit talented people who can play a key role in realising our mission and who want to make a difference. In return, we offer training and development, competitive pay and benefits in a positive and inclusive working environment.

We are committed to promoting and advancing equality of opportunity by attracting and retaining the most diverse range of students, staff and partners.

Please note that CV applications cannot be considered.

To ensure a fair opportunity for all applicants, candidates who have applied for this position in the past 6 months will not be considered.

Closing Date: Sunday 8th November 2026

Interviews will take place on: Friday 20th November 2026

To help us manage applications effectively, we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if sufficient suitable applications are received.

Safeguarding Statement

Orchard Hill College & 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.

In line with the statutory guidance in Keeping Children Safe in Education, the Trust will request and review references and carry out online searches on shortlisted candidates prior to interview as part of our safer recruitment process. Any concerns raised will be followed up with the applicant before a recruitment decision is made.