Head of Business Development At The Association of Commonwealth Universities

We see business development as an important means of supporting our mission to build a better world through higher education. Through external funding and partnerships, we can create more opportunities for our members, and increase awareness of universities’ contribution to sustainable development.

You will be a highly motivated individual with a successful track record of identifying and securing new income and funding. In this role, you will be securing and maintaining the relationships and funding that make our mission possible. You will be proactive in positioning the ACU as a ‘partner of choice’ with global actors across the public, private and NGO sectors. You will play a key role identifying opportunities for us to scale our impact and reach, and delivering applications to funders and strategic partners to engage with new and innovative products and programmes being developed by the ACU contributing to the successful delivery of our strategy, The Road to 2030.

You will be responsible for developing the ACUs business development function to maximise impact for members and contribute to the advancement of international development in the higher education sector. You will do this through working with Research and Insight to identify opportunities and needs from members and with the Strategic Communications Directorate to identify opportunities for profile raising and influence with funders.

This role will suit someone entrepreneurial looking to join and lead a small but growing team, where you can deliver high impact. You will likely be coming from working in a relevant development-related environment such as a consultancy, NGO, donor agency or university.

The ACU is an international organisation dedicated to building a better world through higher education.

We believe that international collaboration is central to this ambition. By bringing universities together from around the world – and crucially the people who study and work within them – we help to advance knowledge, promote understanding, broaden minds, and improve lives.

We champion higher education as a cornerstone of stronger societies, supporting our members, partners, and stakeholders as they adapt to a changing world.

As Head of Business Development, your responsibilities will include:

• Oversee the operational performance of the business development team including bid and proposal writing, contracting, financial management, delivery models, business reports, financial outturns, monitoring of pipeline activity and forecasting, and team performance. Build the capacity of the business development function at the ACU to ensure a high performing team.

• Develop strategic relationships and partner opportunities with key agencies such as FCDO, DFAT, and the World Bank and build strong networks with key funders and partners to track market development, assess opportunities and manage risk.

• Working with the Senior Leadership Team and Senior Executive Team to develop private sector engagement and funding for the ACU.

• Build and share knowledge of the ACU, the Commonwealth and Higher Education contract and development space to identify partnership, grants and contract opportunities for pursuit

Some of the skills you need to be able to demonstrate include:

• Strong track record of hitting income targets and winning new business

• Proven track record of winning bids with key funders e.g. UK Government, EU, World Bank, corporates, Trusts and Foundations

• Strategic thinker, with extensive experience of business planning, including KPIs, shaping strategies, and developing and leading strategic business development work/ projects

Our benefits include 31 days holiday per year (including 4 Christmas closure days) plus bank holidays, competitive pension scheme (10% employer contribution plus 5% employee contribution), season ticket loan and excellent support for learning and development through a range of educational and networking activities.

At the ACU, we welcome and encourage applications from everyone regardless of gender, race, religion, marital status, disability, age, and sexual orientation.

As Head of Business Development, you will be employed by ACU Trading Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary.

Closing date: 8 November 2021

Interview date: 11 November (possible 2nd interview 15 November 2021)**

For further information and details of how to apply please visit our website.