About the Leadership Skills Foundation 

With a 40+ year heritage, the Leadership Skills Foundation exists to help young people build the confidence to believe, the qualities to lead and the skills to succeed. 

Working with close to 100,000 young people every year across 2,500 delivery centres (schools, colleges and community organisations), we provide an empowering environment and learning frameworks where everyone is empowered to shape their futures and lead their communities. 

97% of centre staff believe Leadership Skills Foundation programmes provide young people with the skills to succeed. 

As an awarding organisation, all our programmes are accredited in line with regulatory conditions, ensuring learners achieve meaningful and recognised qualifications and awards. Our programmes equip learners with employability skills for life (communication, problem solving, teamwork, self-belief, self-management) improving motivation, self-esteem and confidence. 

90% of learners said that our programmes develop important skills for their futures. 

We want young people to possess the skills, knowledge and resilience needed to face the world with confidence and optimism. By enabling organisations to deliver carefully considered leadership programmes, we help shape future generations. 

Over two-thirds of businesses believe young people are not effectively prepared for work when they leave school (British Chamber of Commerce). 

Our values 

We have clear values that are the very essence of everything we do. 

We are better together 

Together, we do great things. Collaboration, belonging and individuality aren’t just buzzwords to us; they’re deeply held commitments in the way we work. As we solve problems together, we make sure everyone feels listened to and valued. 

We are guided by goals 

Every initiative we developed is guided by clear aims. From giving young people the confidence to achieve, to bringing major change to communities, all our goals are significant and focused on improvement. 

We evolve and innovate 

As the world changes, so do the opportunities and challenges of the people we support. As different times call for different skills, we are brave enough to be different and to innovate to be fit for the future. 

We have pride in our programmes 

We never forget how valuable everyone’s future is. That’s why we go above and beyond to deliver high-quality trustworthy and regulated programmes. 

Introduction 

Thank you for your interest in this exciting role. 

At the Leadership Skills Foundation, we believe in the importance of essential leadership skills, having supported millions of young people over the last 40+ years through recognised leadership qualifications, awards and programmes. 

Currently we work with over 2,500 education and community organisations across the UK and internationally who, in turn deliver our qualifications, awards and programmes to around 100,000 young people each year, incorporating millions of hours of learning and volunteering.  

But we want to do more to achieve our vision of everyone being empowered to shape their future and lead their communities.  

Our approach engages learners through practically applied, experiential learning and encourages social action volunteering with peers. Learner’s practice and develop transferable, life-long skills and behaviours based on our Skills Framework, to improve Communication, Self-Belief, Teamwork, Self-Management, and Problem-Solving. 

There’s currently a huge discrepancy between the skills employers are looking for and the skills young people have when they leave education. In particular, employers say young people are missing essential employability skills. 

We operate to flip the narrative and provide young people with the confidence to believe, the qualities to lead and the skills to succeed through meaningful, impactful and recognised learning programmes. 

By 2028, we aim to empower over 200,000 young people a year with leadership skills, qualifications and programmes that span primary, secondary and further education.  

As we evolve the organisation over the next few years, some key developments and broadening of our offer are around the corner. The Head of Business Development will play a key role in supporting the delivery of our vision, companywide strategies and approaches to both internal and external activities. 

We look forward to receiving your application. 

Liam Hope 

Director of Engagement & Marketing 

About the role 

Our Business Development department is integral to the success of our organisation and we are looking for an experienced, organised and driven individual to fulfil the role of Head of Business Development. 

We are looking for someone who is comfortable in leading and co-ordinating a team. You will lead and operationally manage the department in our external business development engagement activities as well as our internal, cross-departmental collaboration working towards our ‘Evolve Strategy’.  

You will have a clear and demonstrable understanding of configuring, organising and developing business development strategies and an understanding of how an awarding body operates particularly within the education landscape. 

A proactive communication style, strong organisation and interpersonal skills and a decisive nature are key qualities required in this role. You will operate in a flexible and predominantly remote working environment; therefore a demonstrable experience of working using your own initiative alongside a desire to innovate and test new ways of working are essential. 

Your team will be supported by a Business Development Co-ordinator and two Business Development Managers, each focused on retention of business and new business (New Business Development Manager to be recruited). Additionally, a team of Business Development Officers and Centre Engagement Executives also support the team. 

We view this role as an integral part of successfully delivering our strategy. You will have the opportunity to shape the way your department operates to support the needs of the business as well as our centres. 

The role fits within the wider Leadership Team and working closely with other HODs and Managers will be a key ingredient to success. 

Role purpose: 

Set & deliver the Business Development Strategy alongside the Director of Engagement that supports growth, reach, and impact of Leadership Skills Foundation programmes. 

Drive operational progress by developing positive and proactive working relationships with other Heads of Department.  

Influence the future direction of the Leadership Skills Foundation as a member of the Leadership Team.  

The main responsibilities will be:

Effectively manage and develop the Business Development Team and relationship management functions to meet agreed budgets and maximise learner/programme registrations.

Accountable for the Business Development team’s sales planning and forecasting including annual budgeting.

Regularly developing and presenting clear insight and analysis on market activity, responsibilities, and opportunities.

Work closely with the Head of Marketing & Communications and New Business Development Manager to devise and deliver targeted new business campaigns and activities.

Work closely with the Retained Business Development Manager to devise and deliver strategies to retain and grow our centres.

Work with the Business Development Coordinator to ensure engagement processes and the customer journey meet the needs of centres efficiently.

Maintain a working knowledge and up to date awareness of the sectors, market audiences and landscape the Leadership Skills Foundation works with.

Head of (HOD) Responsibilities

Implement the one company/vision/culture and demonstrate its impact.

To carry out environmental scanning to recognize opportunities and challenges and formulate appropriate actions to position the Foundation in line with its agreed objectives.

To implement and develop appropriate business management capabilities and practices across the organisation.

To operationally implement the strategy and set work expectations as agreed by the Board and the SLT.

Skills, experience and knowledge 

An understanding of education systems in the UK 

Previous experience in a sales environment and understanding sales processes. 

Experience of managing pipeline systems  

A proven track record of delivering income growth 

Analytical thinking and evaluation skills  

Ability to present information concisely using Microsoft Office programmes.  

Strong interpersonal and communication skills 

Leadership capabilities  

Desirable 

Previous experience of managing a sales team and managing direct reports  

An understanding of awarding bodies and their operating landscape 

Familiarity with Microsoft Power BI 

The Head of Business Development will receive a generous salary, a flexible and agile working environment, private Vitality healthcare (subject to successful completion of probationary period), personal development opportunities, enhanced pension, enhanced holiday and sick pay and an extended Christmas break.

If you want to be part of thriving and evolving organisation, then we would love to hear from you and look forward to receiving your application.