Vacancies

Oaklands College - Executive Directior of Innovation & Commercial Growth

Vacancy Description

We are delighted to be working with Oaklands College (T/O circa £50m), renowned for its diverse employer-led technical and professional provision and its enduring commitment to widening participation and student engagement. The College has grown significantly over the last few years and is in the top 10% for achievement rates and number 7 nationally for young people’s results. We have invested, and continue to invest, in our expansive estate development programme (circa £100m) to further enhance the student experience and take forward our commercial and international activities. As Oaklands College expands to become Oaklands Educational Group, we are evolving to meet the needs of our rapidly changing economy and skills landscape and remain committed to our mission ‘to prepare every learner for work, rewarding careers and life’s opportunities’.

As Executive Director of Innovation and Commercial Growth, you will lead the commercial strategy for the group with accountability for successfully securing and managing the business pipeline to achieve clear development targets across the group’s commercial enterprises, external investment, sponsorship, international activity and brand profile. You will lead the strategic direction of the group's estates-led enterprise activity, shaping and delivering commercially compelling solutions across a diverse range of sports and leisure-focused opportunities.

We are seeking to appoint an experienced business development professional with strategic problem-solving capacity, sound judgement, and an incisive approach. With a proven track record of success in securing large-scale opportunities through the provision of education/leisure services, you will bring an ability to influence and inform, with the capacity to build partnerships that deliver competitive outcomes. Having operated in a customer-centric organisation of scale, you will work to actively contribute to the group’s growth agenda through your values-based approach and commitment to service excellence.

For more information, please download the assignment brief below. To apply, please forward an up-to-date CV and covering letter, with salary details to contactus@doddpartners.com by 9.00 am Monday 8^th June 2026.

For a confidential and informal discussion, please call John Dodd on 07545 431848 / 01244 738450 or email him directly at johndodd@doddpartners.com