Business Development Lead

Overview

In this role, you will lead the Oxford Character Project’s business engagement strategy and expand partnerships to grow executive education offerings. You will work with the Director and academics to extend the project’s reach, manage the full partnership lifecycle, and secure income targets. You’ll represent the OCP externally, translate research into practical leadership solutions, and guide complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives. This is an opportunity to shape leadership education at a world-class institution and deliver measurable impact.

Pay / Benefits

• hybrid and flexible working
• generous annual leave
• family leave scheme
• pension scheme
• cycle loan scheme
• discounted travel

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of the OCP business engagement strategy
• Build and manage strategic partnerships with senior stakeholders
• Oversee the full partnership lifecycle from opportunity identification to delivery
• Act as principal relationship manager for business partners
• Lead recruitment for executive education programmes and coordinate with academics
• Prepare financial forecasts, business plans and performance reports
• Maintain partnership pipelines in CRM systems and represent the OCP externally

Key requirements

• Degree level education or equivalent experience in business development, executive education, communications, organisational development, management, fundraising or related field
• Significant experience in developing and managing strategic partnerships with senior stakeholders
• Proven success in business development, securing new partnerships and meeting income/revenue targets
• Excellent relationship management and influencing skills; credibility with senior executives and academics
• Experience leading complex projects with multiple stakeholders, budgets, and competing priorities
• Excellent written and verbal communication, strong analytical skills, and proficiency with CRM systems and digital tools
• Willingness to travel within the UK and internationally
• Knowledge/experience in character and leadership development or executive education is advantageous

• relationship management
• influencing
• communication
• CRM systems
• financial forecasting
• business case and tender submissions

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