Help Shape the Future of EMBS Community College
At EMBS Community College, we believe education changes lives. Every day we work alongside young people and adults who have often experienced significant barriers to education, belonging and opportunity.
Our role is not simply to teach qualifications—it is to help people rebuild confidence, discover their strengths and create brighter futures. As we continue to grow, we are looking for someone who shares that ambition .This isn't simply a fundraising role.It's an opportunity to help shape the future of EMBS Community College. Every partnership you build, every grant you secure, every opportunity you create and every relationship you develop has the potential to transform lives.
We're looking for someone who enjoys bringing people together around a shared purpose. Someone who naturally spots opportunities, opens doors and builds lasting relationships that strengthen our college and the communities we serve. Whether it's securing funding for a new wellbeing programme, developing partnerships with employers, launching an innovative service, increasing opportunities for learners or raising the profile of EMBS, your work will create opportunities that would not otherwise exist.
As EMBS continues to grow, we anticipate this role growing with it. We are looking for someone who wants to make a lasting contribution to the future of our organisation.
The Purpose of the Role
The Head of Development & Partnerships will play a key role in delivering the strategic priorities of EMBS Community College by securing sustainable sources of income, building meaningful partnerships, strengthening our public profile and identifying opportunities that improve learning, wellbeing and progression for our learners.Working closely with the Principal & Chief Executive and Senior Leadership Team, you will help position EMBS as one of the leading community-focused education providers in the region through collaboration, innovation and sustainable growth.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Development & Growth
- Identify opportunities that support the long-term growth and sustainability of EMBS.
- Research local, regional and national priorities, identifying opportunities for new services, partnerships and investment.
- Develop business cases and proposals for new initiatives.
- Work with colleagues to identify gaps in provision and develop new programmes and services that respond to local need.
- Bring innovative ideas and opportunities to the Senior Leadership Team.
- Contribute to the strategic development of the college.
Funding & Income Generation
- Research, develop and secure grant, trust and commissioned funding opportunities.
- Develop high-quality funding applications aligned to EMBS's strategic priorities.
- Secure funding to support:
- Adult Learning
- Sixth Form provision
- Community learning
- Learner wellbeing
- New services
- Innovation
- Staff development
- Facilities and resources
- Work collaboratively with managers to turn ideas into successful funding applications.
- Develop a sustainable pipeline of future funding opportunities.
Partnerships & External Engagement
We believe the strongest partnerships are built on trust, shared purpose and a genuine commitment to improving people's lives.
You will:
- Develop trusted, long-term relationships with employers, businesses, universities, local authorities, charities, commissioners and community organisations.
- Represent EMBS at local, regional and national events.
- Position EMBS as a partner of choice for collaboration, innovation and community impact.
- Develop partnerships that improve progression, employability, wellbeing and opportunities for learners.
- Create collaborative projects that benefit learners and local communities.
Marketing, Communications & Public Profile
You'll lead the development of EMBS's external profile by ensuring our learners, staff, services and impact are recognised and celebrated.
Working alongside colleagues you will:
- Develop and enhance the college's marketing and communications strategy.
- Promote learner achievements, staff success and community impact.
- Strengthen the college's website and digital presence.
- Develop publicity around courses, partnerships, projects and events.
- Increase awareness of EMBS across the communities we serve.
- Ensure our communications reflect the values and ethos of the college.
Relationship Management & Impact
- Develop long-term relationships with funders and strategic partners.
- Ensure partners understand the impact of their investment.
- Encourage repeat investment and long-term collaboration.
- Monitor funded projects and partnership outcomes.
- Produce reports demonstrating impact and value.
- Share learning and success stories with colleagues, partners and governors.
What Success Looks Like
Success won't simply be measured by the amount of funding secured.
Success means:
- Creating opportunities that improve learners' lives.
- Developing partnerships that make a lasting difference.
- Increasing the visibility and reputation of EMBS.
- Helping launch innovative programmes and services.
- Securing sustainable sources of income.
- Helping EMBS reach more people and create greater impact.
- Strengthening the long-term sustainability of the college.
What We're Looking For
We don't expect anyone to tick every box.We believe great people come from many different backgrounds and bring different experiences. We're more interested in finding someone with the right values, attitude, curiosity and potential than someone who has already done every aspect of this role.If you're excited by our mission and can demonstrate experience, knowledge or potential in some, most or all of the following areas, we'd love to hear from you.You may have experience in:
- Developing partnerships or external relationships.
- Business development or employer engagement.
- Marketing, communications or public engagement.
- Researching and securing funding or writing proposals.
- Project or service development.
- Education, training, charities, community development or local government.
- Developing innovative ideas into successful projects.
- Representing an organisation externally.
- Supporting organisational growth.
- People and team management.
- Working with young people and adults from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The Kind of Person Who Will Thrive Here
We're looking for someone who:
- Loves building relationships and connecting people.
- Gets excited by possibilities and enjoys creating opportunities.
- Spots potential where others see barriers.
- Is proactive, creative and solutions-focused.
- Thinks strategically whilst enjoying practical delivery.
- Communicates with warmth, professionalism and authenticity.
- Is curious, reflective and committed to continuous learning.
- Enjoys working collaboratively and bringing people together.
- Shares our belief that education has the power to transform lives.
Why Join EMBS?
This is an opportunity to leave something better than you found it.You'll join a college that believes in people, relationships and community. You'll work alongside passionate colleagues, influence the future direction of EMBS and help create opportunities that would not otherwise exist for the young people and adults we serve.If you enjoy building relationships, creating opportunities and helping organisations grow whilst making a lasting difference to people's lives, we'd love to hear from you.
If you'd like an informal conversation about the role before applying, we'd be delighted to hear from you.
If you'd like an informal conversation about the role before applying, we'd be delighted to hear from you. Contact us: [email protected]
Application
Please send the following to [email protected] by 29 July 2026:
- Your CV
- A covering letter (maximum two pages) outlining why you are interested in the role and how your experience, values and aspirations align with EMBS Community College.
- A short video (3–5 minutes) answering the questions below:
- What excites you about this opportunity and why do you want to join EMBS Community College?
- Tell us about a partnership, project, funding application or initiative that you are particularly proud of. What was your contribution and what impact did it have?
- If you joined EMBS, what would your priorities be during your first six months? How would you strengthen partnerships, raise the profile of the college and help create sustainable opportunities for our learners?
We're interested in how you think as much as what you've done. Please don't worry about creating a polished or professionally edited video—we're simply looking for an authentic insight into your ideas, values and approach.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time
Pay: £37,000.00-£50,275.00 per year
Benefits:
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Oxford, Oxfordshire: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Experience:
- bid writing: 2 years (required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Oxford
