Director of development jobs

Finance, FJ and Operations Director

Lead the transformation of finance 

IRO £61,000 | Remote-first | Full-time | Reports to Co-CEO

Charity Finance Group (CFG) is seeking a visionary Finance, FJ and Operations Director to drive innovation, collaboration and excellence across our organisation and the wider charity sector. This is a rare opportunity to lead an organisation and a movement that's reshaping how finance empowers social impact.

About the role

As Finance, FJ and Operations Director, you’ll work closely with our two Co-CEOs to deliver CFG’s mission: championing financial sustainability for charities. You’ll lead the strategic and operational delivery of our Finance Journey framework—a bold, sector-defining initiative that transforms finance professionals from technicians into strategic leaders.

This role blends internal leadership with external influence. You’ll oversee key functions including finance and governance, HR, digital/IT and business development,—ensuring CFG’s internal systems and external offerings are aligned with our strategy, values, and member needs.

Your Impact

• Shape and deliver CFG’s Finance Journey strategy across the organisation

• Lead cross-functional teams to elevate performance and maturity

• Represent CFG to media, government, partners, and sector bodies

• Inspire a mindset shift across the finance community—from operational to transformational

• Support income generation through strategic partnerships and product development

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Champion a culture of learning, inclusion, and continuous improvement

• Contribute to CFG’s strategic planning and organisational development

• Provide strategic leadership across the organisation and support the board

Operational Oversight

• Lead finance, governance, HR, digital/IT, and business development teams

• Deliver robust financial analysis, reporting, and resource planning

• Ensure CFG’s finance function meets evolving business needs

Finance Journey Integration

• Embed the Finance Journey ethos across CFG’s products, services, and internal practices

• Collaborate with communications, learning, and membership teams

• Shape new offerings—training, events, assessments, leadership programmes

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build relationships with sector experts, partners, and members

• Represent CFG in forums, steering groups, and collaborative initiatives

• Share your expertise and catalyse sector-wide transformation

Internal Collaboration

• Work closely with Co-CEOs and the Director for Engagement

• Champion joined-up leadership, planning, and performance monitoring

• Foster a culture of inclusion, learning, and innovation

Location & Flexibility

• Remote-first: work from home or a suitable location near you

• Quarterly staff away days and ad hoc in-person events (travel costs covered)

Relationships

• Reports to Co-CEO 

• Member of the Leadership Team

• Manages business development, HR, and digital teams

About CFG

Our vision is a world where financial excellence empowers every charitable and social purpose organisation to drive positive impact. The Finance Journey is our flagship framework—designed to help finance professionals evolve from technicians to strategic leaders.

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Ready to lead a movement that’s changing the face of charity finance?

Apply now and be the catalyst for sector-wide transformation.

How to Apply 

If you would like to be considered for this position, please take a look at our recruitment pack on the next page, and apply with your CV. We have a series of questions for you to answer succinctly, but we do not require a covering letter. The deadline for applications is Midday on Monday 10 November, and shortlisting will take place in the following week, with interviews to follow shortly after. 

Please email us with any job enquiries, or if you require assistance or experience difficulties when applying. Please note that successful candidate(s) will be asked to evidence their Right to Work in the UK post-job offer – we do not hold a sponsor licence therefore we are unable to provide Visa sponsorship.

Benefits of working at CFG 

• 25 days' annual leave per year in addition to bank holidays, increasing to 28 days after three years of continuous service (pro-rata if part-time). 
• An extra three days' leave for the office Christmas closure. 
• Wellbeing closures where the whole organisation takes a break.
• Time off for personal health appointments. 
• Hybrid and remote flexible working options. 
• Four paid volunteering days every year. 
• Health cash plan via HSF.
• Enhanced sick pay, as well as enhanced parental and adoption leave policies.
• Continuing personal development - learning and development opportunities both individually and organisation wide, such as a mentor/coach, training courses and conferences. 
• Auto enrolment to the Personal Pension Plan where CFG will contribute twice your contribution to the scheme up to 10%. 
• Access to interest-free employee loans or salary advances. 

CFG promotes remote-first working, although we do have office space at our registered address in Bermondsey, Southwark, SE London for those team members who prefer an office setting. We expect all of our team members to attend all staff, directorate, or team anchor days on a regular basis in London. All-staff anchor days are currently quarterly, and directorate and smaller team anchor days are organised on an ad hoc basis. If you have any questions about this we'd be happy to chat about our in-person expectations with you. 

Please note that attending our flagship events will be required for this role, as well as work outside core hours occasionally as part of our events programme.  

Barnabas Aid International is a global Christian ministry providing practical support to suffering, displaced, and persecuted Christians in over 100 countries. Since 1993, our projects have offered food, medical aid, education, disaster relief, Bibles, and help for pastors and church leaders – bringing real hope to our brothers and sisters in Christ.

We are seeking a visionary and faith-driven National Director to lead our ministry within the UK and Ireland.
Reporting to the International CEO and accountable to the local National Board, you will provide strategic leadership, raise awareness, mobilise prayer and financial support, and oversee a dedicated national team serving the persecuted Church.

Our University has a proud history of philanthropy stretching back to its foundation in 1900. With a clear vision to change the lives of the people of Birmingham, Joseph Chamberlain raised the funds required to build the University from citizens and corporations based locally and around the globe. Since then philanthropy has continued to play an important role in shaping the University. There have been a number of fundraising campaigns, including a £1m urgent capital appeal after the Second World War and a £1.4m campaign to fund the Vale ‘student village’ in the 1960s. In 2015 we closed the Circles of Influence Campaign, raising £193 million, making it the largest HE fundraising campaign outside Oxbridge and London.

DARO exists to support our academic and student community by engaging, inspiring, and celebrating alumni, individuals, and charitable funders who give their money, time, and networks to support the University’s strategic priorities. The Office, which is comprised of five teams, is focused on fundraising and volunteering from alumni, organisations and individuals who are passionate about changing lives, through funding various research projects, supporting student bursaries, mentoring students, and providing internships, as well as providing a versatile programme of engagement opportunities for our global alumni community.

There is a rare opportunity to join the DARO Senior Leadership team at this exciting time in our current campaign.

We are looking for an Associate Director of Charitable Partnerships to maximise our enormous income generation potential; coach, nurture and challenge the well-established Charitable Partnerships team; and deliver a bold and innovative strategy to support this exciting campaign, raising significant gifts yourself from an established and growing portfolio. You will lead a team of expert trust and corporate fundraisers to work across the campus and deliver an institution-wide service to generate income, networks and influence from corporates, charities, trusts and foundations. You will be responsible for creating a motivational and supportive environment for your team with professional development opportunities for all members. You will maintain oversight of all significant charitable relationships, including your own portfolio, and be the first point of contact for the amazing opportunities in this space. As a key member of DARO’s Senior Leadership team you will help shape the strategic direction of the function and work collaboratively with other Associate Directors to take our campaign to the next level. 

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. 

We are looking for a bold, creative, and strategic fundraising leader to work alongside the CEO to rebuild and grow our income — securing existing partnerships while opening up new streams of support. 

Like many UK charities, Opportunity International has faced a challenging few years. Shifts in government funding, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, and periods of leadership transition have all affected our income since 2018. Yet, out of this challenge comes great opportunity. We are now entering an exciting phase of renewal — revitalising our brand, re-energising our supporter base, and reimagining how we engage with donors.

Historically, our private income has been driven by generous major donors, and while this will continue to be a core pillar, our strategy is focused on diversification and long-term sustainability. In the short term, we’re deepening our relationships with trusts and foundations and growing our individual giving, particularly through digital channels. Looking ahead, we plan to strengthen our legacy programme and build meaningful corporate partnerships. With our refreshed brand and vibrant new visual identity, we’re well-positioned to reach new audiences and inspire fresh support. Our Royal Patron and emerging ambassadors will help us to do this.

The successful candidate will have the exciting opportunity to help shape our organisational strategy for the next 3–5 years (to be finalised in early 2026) and to lead the design and delivery of a dynamic fundraising and communications strategy. A major appeal or capital campaign is expected to be a cornerstone of this work.

If you'd like to have an informal conversation about this role then please contact Mary Oakes, CEO, to arrange.

We are seeking an experienced and successful fundraising professional to join our Development Team as Associate Director, Individual Giving and Legacies. This exciting role will lead the Individual Giving (regular giving, appeals, giving products and onsite giving) and Legacies and Commemorative teams at Kew, delivering against ambitious annual targets and strategic goals, implementing and delivering on strategies to significantly grow income from these areas.

Responding to Kew’s ambitious income growth strategy to more than double its philanthropic income by 2030, this role will be critical in increasing unrestricted income, working closely with marketing colleagues to promote and raise the profile of Kew as a charity, and deliver creative and exciting giving products to engage audiences and encourage them to support Kew.

You will have experience of line-management, and the ability to lead a team and build strong relationships with colleagues across Kew.

Our ideal candidate will have a passion for charity fundraising, enjoy strategic leadership and managing a team, and an enthusiasm for Kew’s role as a world leading science, horticulture, conservation and education charity.  

This role is based at Kew with the option of regular home working, subject to operational requirements.

About Us

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (RBG Kew) is a leading plant science institute, UNESCO World Heritage Site, and major visitor attraction. Our mission is to understand and protect plants and fungi for the well-being of people and the future of all life on Earth.

We are working to end the unprecedented extinction crisis and to help create a world where nature is protected, valued by all and managed sustainably. We will achieve these goals by drawing on our leading scientific research, unrivalled collections of plants and fungi, global network of partners, inspirational gardens at Kew and Wakehurst, and our 260 years of history.

Join us on our journey as protectors of the world’s plants and fungi. 

Our fantastic benefits package includes opportunities for continuous learning, a generous annual leave entitlement, flexible working to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance, an Employee Assistance Programme and other wellbeing support such as cycle to work scheme and discounted gym membership. We also offer a competitive pension, an employee discount scheme and free entry into a wide range of national museums and galleries, as well as access to our own beautiful gardens at Kew and Wakehurst.

We are dedicated to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to interview disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.

No agencies please.

Deputy Director, Principal Gifts
University of Manchester
£80,000 - £110,000, dependent on experience
Hybrid working

This is a really unique opportunity to lead a Principal Gifts programme for the University of Manchester.

As Deputy Director, Principal Gifts, you will work at the most senior levels to secure principal gifts that are truly transformational.  Your leadership will help ensure that we deliver our most ambitious fundraising effort in our history, designed to expand our global influence, engage new audiences and galvanise our community of over 600,000 alumni worldwide. 

You will join an incredible Development and Alumni Relations team here, led by Kate Cambden, and work alongside our new Vice Chancellor, Professor Duncan Ivison, a seasoned fundraiser with vision, ambition and international standing. With philanthropy embedded at the heart of the University’s forthcoming ten-year strategy, this is a pivotal moment to help drive Manchester’s future impact.

Reporting to the Director of Development & Alumni Relations, you will be a vital member of the Senior Leadership Team, providing strategic guidance to University leaders, academics, and fundraising colleagues, while securing the gifts that will make the greatest difference.

This is a chance to shape the future of philanthropy at Manchester - for our students, our researchers, and our global community - while leaving a lasting legacy.

Everything is coming together to make this a real inflection point for Development and Alumni Relations at Manchester.  We have an incredible team, an outstanding Vice Chancellor and a significant growth trajectory in our fundraising. We have an enormous – almost unprecedented - opportunity to help the University of Manchester have an even greater impact in the world. 

The team here are passionate, fun, creative, and ambitious individuals who are dedicated to our work as well as to supporting each other.  This role embodies our values - integrity, collaboration, boldness and ambition - and will be central to delivering the lasting impact our campaign seeks 

Closing date: Midnight on Wednesday 5 November

Interested?

Please familiarise yourself with the attached Candidate Pack.
To apply, please submit a CV and covering letter.

The University of Manchester is partnering with Constellate Global Talent on this search. No agencies please.

We are seeking a dynamic Development Director to drive the next chapter of our growth: expanding into new African countries; growing our university partnerships; and scaling our spin-out start-up whose profits support the charity's mission. 

Director of Finance and Operations
The Akshaya Patra Foundation UK
Salary: £60,000-£70,000 per annum
Remote (UK-based) with expensed travel to London
Full-time, permanent

Akshaya Patra is one of the world’s largest school meals charities – nourishing 2.35 million children in India every day and now expanding our impact across the UK.

Our UK after-school programme, Empower Hour, provides hot, nutritious meals and targeted tuition to children growing up in poverty – extending the school day by 60 minutes to give them the fuel, support and enrichment they need to thrive.

What began in one school in 2024 is already serving ten, and – alongside driving continued expansion in India – we are now ready to scale our delivery to reach thousands more children across the UK’s most disadvantaged communities.

To help lead this exciting phase of growth, we are seeking a Director of Finance and Operations – a senior leader who combines strong financial stewardship with operational leadership and is motivated by purpose as much as performance.

You will sit on the Senior Leadership Team, reporting to the CEO, and oversee two core portfolios:

• Programmes – overseeing Watford kitchen operations, Empower Hour delivery and holiday hunger initiatives.
• Finance and Resources – leading financial planning and reporting, systems, compliance, HR development and organisational infrastructure.

This role will suit someone who enjoys both strategic thinking and practical implementation – someone who finds energy in building strong foundations and helping a values-led organisation grow well.

You may have built your career in charity, education, food provision, public services, the private sector or elsewhere – but you will bring:

• Senior-level experience across finance, operations or programme delivery.
• Strong financial acumen and understanding of charity governance and compliance.
• A collaborative leadership style – supporting, challenging and uplifting those you lead.
• Deep alignment with our mission to fight child hunger and educational inequality.

What we offer:

• Flexible and remote working.
• 34 days’ leave (25 days annual leave + Diwali + English bank holidays).
• Employer pension contribution.
• Investment in professional and vocational development.
• A meaningful leadership role in a growing global movement – empowering children in both the UK and India.

How to apply:

• Download the full job description and application details here or on our website.
• Please send your CV and a cover letter to the email address in the applicant pack outlining both your suitability for the role and what attracts you to Akshaya Patra and our mission.
• Closing date: Monday 3 November 2025.

If you believe no child should be held back by hunger – and you have the leadership skills and desire to help grow an organisation that makes that possible – we would love to hear from you.

Prospetus is suppoorting a Global Foundation in the search for a UK Development Director. This Foundation is a dynamic and forward-thinking international foundation committed to driving positive change in the world and transforming the lives of vulnerable communities. They serve as a bridge between nonprofits forging solutions to today's most pressing challenges, and the donors-individual and corporate-who are essential to fuelling that work. They find, select, and monitor nonprofit organizations that design and implement essential solutions to transform the lives of children and youth and protect our planet for generations to come.

Global Foundation

UK Development Director

Permanent

London hybrid 2-3 days per week

£75,000 plus benefits (including BUPA Health Insurance)

The UK Development Director will be driving force for income growth and diversification for the organisation, expanding relationships across philanthropy giving including major donors, partnerships, and other high value donors. Setting income generation strategy to drive growth and achieve the organisation's objectives, this role will be a strategic leader reporting to the Global Director of Development and oversee a small team of two to deliver fundraising success. This role will also lead key income generation and strategic relationships to increase income, and work towards a seven-figure team income target.

The successful candidate will be able to evidence extensive high value fundraising experience in complex organisations, with notable examples of successfully securing multi-year five and six-figure relationships from high value donors including major donors or corporates. This person will have proven experience of leading successful teams to achieve income and engagement growth of a multimillion-pound level. They will also be an experienced manager and ideally have knowledge of the grant giving, youth, or sustainability sectors.

Application information

Closing date for completed applications is midnight on 28 th October. First interviews will take place w/c 3 rd November and the second and third stages the w/c 10 th November.

To apply

To apply for the role please upload your CV together with a supporting statement onto the Prospectus website via the link below.

https://www.prospect-us.co.uk/job/193169

Prospectus is committed to providing equality of opportunity and welcome candidates from a diverse range of backgrounds. For all job opportunities and progression, job applicants and employees will receive equal treatment regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. If you have any disability and would like assistance with completing an application, then please contact Rhiannon Mehta at Prospectus on [email protected].

If you feel you meet some of the criteria but not all, we really hope you'll enquire and learn more. Prospectus can advise and support on each part of the role and hopefully your application, so we look forward to hearing from you.

With a new CEO and an ambitious and inspiring new strategy being developed, Smart Works are looking for a skilled and analytical Director of Finance to drive organisational financial strategy at a time of significant change and growth.

The Director of Finance will act as a trusted advisor to the CEO, and provide financial reporting for the board, working closely with the Treasurer. As part of the SLT, the post holder will be responsible for the financial management and strategic financial planning for our London centres and Group staff, as well as supporting our 12 centres nationally, operating within a federated structure. In addition, the post holder will provide wider leadership as part of a multi-disciplinary team to drive positive outcomes for our clients.

For full details, please see the attached job pack, and submit your application via our online portal by 12 noon on Friday 31st October. 

Be at the forefront of  student-led change in one of the UK’s most exciting and dynamic cities – join us as Associate Director Student Influence at Manchester Students’ Union.

Manchester Students’ Union is seeking a visionary Associate Director to spearhead our student influence work, empowering over 47,000 students to become powerful changemakers across the University, the city, and beyond.

The Role

As Associate Director Student Influence, you’ll lead the strategic development and operational delivery of our changemaking activity. You’ll ensure students are represented and supported to lead meaningful change, whether through policy, campaigning, or building grassroots movements. You’ll work closely with elected student leaders, university stakeholders, and civic partners to grow UMSU’s influence locally and nationally.

This is a senior leadership role, reporting to the Director of Student Engagement and accountable for a team including a Head of Policy, Head of Student Campaigns and Senior Officer Development Coordinator.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategies to grow UMSU’s influence across university, city, and nationally.

• Lead and mentor a high-performing team to deliver impactful change initiatives.

• Cultivate relationships with policy makers, civic organisations, and sector bodies.

• Champion student-led, evidence-informed approaches to advocacy and representation.

• Oversee democratic processes and political education initiatives.

• Drive performance through strategic planning, budgeting, and resource management.

Essential Criteria

We welcome applicants from all educational backgrounds. You’ll need to demonstrate:

• Proven experience in changemaking, whether from a campaigns, organising, advocacy, policy or public affairs background.

• Strategic leadership and team management in a values-led organisation.

• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills.

• Ability to develop and deliver innovative strategies for change.

• Excellent communication and diplomacy, with a collaborative mindset.

• Commitment to inclusivity, transparency, and student empowerment.

Why Join Us?

• Competitive salary and generous benefits see full list here

• Hybrid working options

• Clear progression pathway through our graded role structure

• A supportive, inclusive, and values-driven workplace

Be part of something truly inspiring.

The Orpheus Centre is an award-winning charity that supports disabled young adults aged 18–25 to live independent, fulfilling lives through the performing and visual arts. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted, we are driven by our values — joyful, bold, inclusive, resilient and determined — and a vision of an inclusive world where every young person can achieve their aspirations.

We are now seeking a strategic, values-led Director of Finance to join our Senior Leadership Team and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our organisation.

Salary: £72,000 – £77,000 (depending on experience)

Hours: 35 hours per week, 52 weeks per year

Location: Godstone, Surrey (onsite with some flexibility)

Contract: Permanent

About the Role

You’ll lead the financial strategy, planning and operations for the Orpheus Centre, ensuring sustainability, transparency and compliance while enabling innovation and growth. Reporting directly to the CEO and working closely with Trustees and senior leaders, you will:

• Provide strategic financial leadership and insight to drive organisational success.
• Oversee all aspects of financial management, including budgeting, forecasting, reporting and audit.
• Ensure compliance with The Charity Commission, HMRC and Companies House regulations.
• Lead on procurement, risk management and digital transformation in finance systems.
• Manage investments and oversee capital and operational budgets.
• Lead and develop a small, high-performing finance team.

This is a hands-on and highly influential role for someone who thrives on both strategic planning and operational excellence.

About You

You’ll be a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) with significant experience in senior financial leadership — ideally within the charity and/or education sector.

You will bring:

• Strong understanding of charity SORP, financial governance and regulatory frameworks.
• Experience working with Boards and governance structures.
• Proven ability to deliver strategic financial planning and risk management.
• Excellent communication, leadership and influencing skills.
• A proactive, future-focused approach and commitment to Orpheus’ values and mission. 

Why join Orpheus?

• At Orpheus, you’ll join a joyful and inclusive community that values creativity and collaboration. We offer:
• The opportunity to play a key role in an Outstanding organisation.
• A collaborative leadership environment with real impact.
• A supportive and passionate team culture.
• Ongoing professional development opportunities.
• Free parking on our beautiful Surrey campus.

Join us in making a lasting difference in the lives of young disabled people through the power of the arts.

Safeguarding & Equality

Orpheus is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people. All posts are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and satisfactory references. This post is classed as having a high degree of contact with vulnerable adults and is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. It is an offence to apply for this role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.

As part of our safer recruitment process and in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025, online searches may be undertaken as part of due diligence.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

In order to be considered you must be eligible to work in the UK.

The Orpheus Centre is proud to be a disability confident employer.

We have made a positive commitment to employing disabled people. Reasonable adjustments will be made to the recruitment procedure as required in consultation with the applicant to ensure no-one is disadvantaged because of their disability. If a disabled person is selected for a position, reasonable adjustments will be made to the workplace, including premises and equipment, work duties and practices or policies, as appropriate. All disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role as set out in the role profile and person specification will be guaranteed an interview.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we are:

• Challenging attitudes towards disability
• Increasing understanding of disability
• Removing barriers to disabled people and those with long-term health conditions
• Ensuring that disabled people have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspiration

Applications will be reviewed as we receive them and if a suitable candidate is identified, we reserve the right to close our advert sooner.

Our client is a welcoming and inclusive organisation where world-class theatre is produced and presented for many thousands of audience members each year, and enriching creative opportunities are shared and enjoyed by all ages and communities. As they launch their new vision and strategy for the next five years they will hire a new Development Director to lead fundraising plans around an exciting capital project.

The Development Director will lead the Development Team and wider organisation to achieve revenue and capital fundraising targets and will develop and implement a comprehensive and ambitious fundraising strategy to secure financial support from individual donors, trusts and foundations, and corporate partners. The postholder will play a key role on the Senior Management Team, maintaining relationships internally with peer leaders and board members.

The selected candidate will have a proven track record of accomplishment in fundraising and will be able to demonstrate strategic thinking ideally within an arts fundraising setting. Capital fundraising experience and knowledge will be key too, with the postholder able to demonstrate a track record of telling compelling stories to captivate donors for revenue and capital fundraising asks.  Above all, the selected candidate will be a creative, out-of-the-box thinker, to match the ambitions and approach of the leadership team and entire organisation.

At Prospectus we invest in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you with your application. We welcome all candidates to apply, regardless of age, sex/gender, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status or pregnancy/maternity. If you have any disability and require reasonable adjustment/s to any part of the process then please contact Ryan Burdock at Prospectus.

If you feel you meet some of the criteria but not all, we really hope you'll enquire and learn more. Prospectus can advise and support on each part of the role and hopefully your application, so we look forward to hearing from you.      
 
In order to apply please submit your CV in the first instance. Should your experience be suitable, we will arrange for a meeting to brief you on the role. You'll then have all the information you need to formally apply. We are looking forward to connecting with you soon.

We are looking for a Sector Development Lead to drive growth and impact in the primary education sector at a pivotal moment for the Leadership Skills Foundation.

 This newly created role comes at an exciting time: we’re expanding our programmes, deepening partnerships, and rolling out a refreshed brand.

You’ll play a key role in helping us reach more young people and maximise our impact.

As Sector Development Lead, you’ll lead income generation and customer growth in the primary sector. From designing integrated sales and marketing strategies to delivering outreach and events, you’ll champion our offer and act as a trusted sector voice - shaping offers that meet the needs of schools, empower learners, and delight our customers.

We’re seeking someone with experience in sales, sector development, or programme growth, with a proven ability to achieve ambitious targets. You’ll bring creativity and confidence in delivering outreach campaigns across both digital and in-person channels, underpinned by a strong understanding of the UK education system, particularly with insight into the primary sector.

Thriving on building relationships and influencing stakeholders, you’ll use data and insights to inform decisions and adapt approaches. Alongside these skills, you’ll be a collaborative team player and a compelling storyteller, able to balance strategic thinking with hands-on delivery as well as passion for creating meaningful opportunities for young people.

If you’re an experienced development professional who thrives on spotting opportunities and delivering results, we’d love to hear from you.

Role purpose:

Drive the growth of the primary education sector, leading on centre acquisition, income generation, and customer experience.

Develop and deliver integrated sales and marketing strategies, including digital lead generation, network development, key segment outreach, and data-led campaign planning.

Act as the sector lead, using insight to shape positioning, monitor market maturity, and influence internal and external strategy for long-term impact.

Key responsibilities:

Planning

Shape and deliver the Primary Sector Development Plan.

Sales & growth delivery

• Drive income and centre growth targets across all relevant programmes.
• Develop tailored acquisition and conversion strategies by segment, including cold outreach, warm lead nurture, events, and campaigns.
• Track and report against sector income targets, centre growth metrics, lead conversions, and ROI using dashboards and data analysis.

Marketing and lead generation

• Design and test sector-wide digital campaigns in collaboration with marketing teams and, where relevant, external agencies.
• Manage audience segmentation, personalised journeys, email marketing, and paid social media campaigns targeting school leaders, MATs, and parents.
• Plan and deliver events related to the Primary sector and represent the organisation externally when required.
• Contribute towards content strategy across case studies, impact stories, webinars, and sector PR/editorial opportunities as required.

Customer Experience (CX) & retention

• Lead on sector-specific centre onboarding, retention strategies, and cross-sell pathways.
• Be responsible for mapping and reviewing the customer journey, reducing friction for customers, and removing internal barriers.
• Develop Customer Experience led comms plans to ensure consistent, high-quality touchpoints that support relationship building and long-term value.

Collaborate across teams and support innovation

• Contribute to team planning meetings, training sessions, and department-wide initiatives.
• Support the induction of new team members and contribute to a collaborative, learning-focused team culture.
• Be an engaged member of the Engagement and Marketing Directorate and carry out any other reasonable duties as requested by the Head of Business Development. 

 Skills, experience, and knowledge

 Essential 

• Proven experience leading sales, sector development, or programme growth.
• Experience in designing and delivering multi-channel marketing or outreach plans, ideally across digital and in-person formats.
• Demonstrable success in achieving income and acquisition targets within a complex stakeholder environment.
• An understanding of education systems in the UK, particularly the primary sector.
• Experience of working on your own initiative, taking a pro-active approach to your work.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• High level of presentation skills to external stakeholders.
• Experience of data management and analysing insight to inform decision making.
• An ability to network, influence and build relationships with key stakeholders and customers.
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to build strong working relationships across teams
• Ability to use Microsoft Office programmes comprehensively to support customer interaction and information presentation.
• An ability to prioritise your workload and focus on importance of tasks.

Desired

• Experience with campaign management tools and marketing platforms (e.g., HubSpot, Mailchimp, Google Ads, LinkedIn Campaign Manager).
• Experience working directly with or selling into primary schools, MATs, or local authorities.
• Strong understanding of the UK primary education landscape, including MATs, independent schools, and local authority priorities.
• Understanding of education inspectorate frameworks, and how they impact school decision-making.
• An understanding of awarding body function and responsibilities.