Head of business development jobs

Welcome to Ada!

At Ada, the National College for Digital Skills, our mission is to educate and empower the next generation of diverse digital talent. Through the quality of education we deliver, the depth of our industry partnerships and focus on diversity, we are changing the face of the tech sector, expanding the talent pipeline and transforming lives.

We are a specialist Further Education college, where every 16-19 student takes Computer Science and all of our diverse Higher Level and Degree Apprentices work in skills shortage disciplines in innovative, blue-chip companies.

The digital skills gap is costing the UK economy an estimated £63 billion a year in lost GDP. Ada seeks to fill this skills gap by equipping young with the skills industry actually needs.

Ada was announced by the Prime Minister in December 2014; England’s first new FE College since 1993 and since then we’ve gone from strength to strength including a Good with Outstanding features in our first Ofsted Inspection.

16-19 Provision:

As of 2024, we have 187 16-19 students enrolled. Our most recent results are outstanding; 39% of A level results at A*- B and 74% achieving at least one Distinction or better in their externally assessed Computing BTEC. This makes us the best education institution in the country for this BTEC.

Degree Apprenticeships:

Across our London Victoria and Manchester Ancoats campus, we have 363 apprentices currently enrolled on our Higher and Degree Level Apprenticeships. We specialise in five disciplines at present: software development, data analytics, tech consultancy, cyber security and business analysis, working with a wide range of SMEs and corporate organisations such as PwC, Bank of America, Deloitte, Clearscore, Just Eat, Capita, MHRA, Booking,com and Salesforce.

At present 38% of our learners are female, 51% are from ethnic minority backgrounds and 50% come from low-income households compared to national averages of c. 20%.

This is an exciting time to join Ada with our new state-of-the-art campuses in Victoria, London and Ancoats, Manchester. We’re passionate about building a supportive, values driven environment for both our students and staff.

Post Title: Head of Business Development and Sales

Nature of the Role: 0.6 or 0.8 FTE. Hybrid working

Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer

Responsible for: Apprenticeship and T-level Business Development & Sales

Direct Reports: 4

Annual Salary: £60,000 (pro rata)

Pension: Stakeholder pension scheme (10% employer contribution)

Holidays: 30 days per annum (Pro rata)

Location: Manchester (Ancoats) with regular travel to our London office expected

About You

• You will enjoy identifying, cultivating and closing new employer partnerships that transform
• the life chances of diverse young people through employment or work experience
• opportunities. You will enjoy being the most capable member of a team and thrive on leading them to new heights.
• You will be able to demonstrate your track record in driving sales growth as well as articulate your personal alignment to our mission.
• You will also be able to demonstrate you as comfortable cultivating C-suite relationships at large corporates as you are engaging the CTO of a fast growing start-up.
• Your role will be prominent within Ada and our wider ecosystem and you will enjoy the opportunity to represent the College in a wide variety of forums though always keeping an entrepreneurial eye out for an opportunity.

We'd really like to hear from you, if...

• You get a real kick out of identifying and cultivating new employer relationships that lead to the creation of life-changing employment opportunities for diverse young people.
• You believe higher level and degree apprenticeships, especially in the tech sector, offer diverse young people a fantastic opportunity to launch their careers
• You love talking to people and are passionate about evangelising Ada's mission to employer partners and wider stakeholders.
• You are curious, data-oriented and proactive, always searching for, and following up on, leads and possible opportunities.
• You enjoy leading and managing a small team to achieve ambitious sales targets
• You are as adept at cultivating existing employer relationships as pitching for new business.
• You are a meticulous record keeper who loves a good quality CRM database.
• You will feel a strong sense of ownership for the Business Development function at Ada and clearly understand it's vital purpose in serving young people and driving forward Ada's social impact and revenue growth.

Safeguarding

The successful candidate will be required to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check when appointed to the post.

Equal Opportunities

Ada, the National College for Digital Skills recognises that equality of opportunity and the recognition and promotion of diversity are integral to its strengths. The following principles apply in respect of the College’s commitment to equality and diversity:

• To provide and promote equality of opportunity in all areas of its work and activity;
• To recognise and develop the diversity of skills and talent within its current and potential community;
• To ensure that all employees and prospective employees of the College are treated solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential without receiving any unjustified discrimination or unfavourable treatment on grounds such as age, disability, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender reassignment, trans status, socio-economic status or any other irrelevant distinction;
• To provide and promote a positive working, learning, and social environment which is free from prejudice, discrimination and any forms of harassment, bullying or victimisation.

Applicants with Disabilities

Ada, the National College for Digital Skills is keen to increase the number of disabled people it employs. We therefore encourage applications from individuals with a disability who are able to carry out the duties of the post. If there is anything in this regard that you would like to discuss in relation to your application please contact .

Sponsorship

Sadly, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role, so can only accept applications from candidates who have the legal right to work and remain in the United Kingdom.

Thank you for your interest in Ada, the National College for Digital Skills.

Closing Date: 12th June 2026

(Candidates' applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, early applications are advised.)

Good Luck with your application!