Executive Director for Business Development and P

Here at South Thames Colleges Group, we are recruiting an Executive Director to lead on the development and growth of the Group’s provision through partnership, marketing and innovation.

We are looking for an individual with a track record of proven leadership in the FE sector, backed by strong evidence of partnership development, great strategic insight and creating innovation in the Group’s work with partners, students, employers and other stakeholders.

The role will be part of the Senior Leadership Team and the post holder will have responsibility across the Group to lead Business Development activities, Business Partnerships, the successful recruitment of all students, marketing and promotional activities, including the Group’s website and the active engagement of the Group with tenders, awards, bids and project opportunities.

The successful candidate will be expected to work closely with the wider Group Leadership Team to draw on practice from a broad context and share developments consistently with other team members. We expect a passionate commitment to student and stakeholder engagement, a strong understanding of the financial implications of College activity and the vision and ability to deliver equal opportunities in an inclusive learning context.

You will demonstrate a committed understanding of the values and mission of South Thames Colleges Group and be able to work in a demanding and complex role as part of a wider leadership team and you will have a demonstrable track record of success, excellent communication skills and possess the leadership qualities necessary to secure sustainable and deep-rooted development of our Colleges.

The recruitment process will consist of the following stages:

• 29 June 2025 - Recruitment closes


• w/b 30 June 2025 - Longlisting complete; all candidates notified of decision


• w/b 7 July 2025:
  
  - Day 1 - Longlisted candidates attend an assessment day; shortlisting at end of day and candidates informed of outcomes
  
  - Day 2 - Shortlisted candidates interviewed; appointment made

South Thames Colleges Group very much encourages applications from candidates whose backgrounds are as diverse as the learners who attend the Group’s Colleges.

When clicking on ‘Apply’, you will be taken to the STCG Recruitment platform where you can download some supporting documents including a welcome from the Chair of Governors, the job description and person specification, South Thames Colleges Group’s inspection report from May 2024, South Thames Colleges Group’s financial statements from 2023-24 and the Group’s strategic plan.

For an informal conversation about the role, please contact the Group Principal/Chief Executive, Peter Mayhew-Smith, peter.mayhew-smith@stcg.ac.uk

The benefits package includes generous annual leave of 37 days plus up to 8 additional days over Christmas/New Year as well as an additional 5 days Wellbeing leave to enhance employees’ physical and mental health. This leave is all in addition to Bank Holiday entitlement. There is an excellent pension scheme that receives a significant financial contribution from the employer (Teachers Pensions or Local Government Pension Scheme), subsidised sports facilities and professional development and training plus a salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme.

South Thames Colleges Group is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults.

As outlined in the Public Sector Equality Duty of the Equality Act 2010, we are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

As part of our due diligence checks on prospective employees, successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references, an online search and proof of eligibility to work in the UK.

The South Thames Colleges Group is made up of Carshalton College, Kingston College, Merton College and South Thames College, which merged on 1 August 2017. South Thames Colleges Group is one of London’s largest providers of post-16 education and training and is an ongoing and significant contributor to its local communities. We aim to put students’ success at the heart of everything we do.

When you click on ‘Apply’, you will be forwarded to the application page which sits on a platform hosted by an external partner called Iris Recruitment who support STCG throughout the recruitment process.