Lead Strategic Partnerships. Drive Growth. Shape the Future of Executive Education.
Oxford Saïd Business School is on an ambitious journey.
Already recognised as one of the world's leading providers of Executive Education, we are pursuing significant growth as we work towards becoming a top-five global provider. To achieve this, we are seeking an exceptional commercial leader to join our Government and Public Value team as Associate Director, Clients & Markets.
This is not a traditional business development role.
This is an opportunity to build strategic relationships with some of the world's most influential organisations, work alongside internationally renowned academics, and help shape transformational learning experiences that create lasting impact across government, public sector and organisations delivering public value environments. Healthcare will be a specific area of focus for this role.
The Opportunity
You will take ownership of a significant portfolio of high-value clients, leading the development of long-term strategic partnerships while identifying and securing new opportunities for growth. You will operate at senior levels, engaging with senior government officials, ministers and decision-makers to understand complex organisational challenges and develop solutions that deliver meaningful change.
Managing relationships worth £1m–£2m and delivering substantial annual growth, you will play a pivotal role in helping Executive Education achieve its ambitious commercial objectives.
What You Will Be Doing
- Building and growing strategic relationships with major organisations globally.
- Leading consultative sales conversations with senior government officials and decision-makers.
- Developing and executing account growth strategies across an established client portfolio.
- Identifying, qualifying and securing new business opportunities.
- Leading complex proposals, bids and commercial negotiations.
- Working collaboratively with faculty, learning innovation specialists and commercial teams to design impactful executive learning solutions.
- Acting as senior relationship lead for key client relationships and ensuring long-term partnership success.
- Representing Oxford Saïd Business School across industry events, networks and market-facing activities.
About You
You will be a highly credible commercial professional with a proven track record of developing strategic relationships and delivering significant revenue growth.
You may currently be working in:
- Executive Education
- Professional Services
- Learning & Development
- Consulting
- Organisational Development
- Corporate Partnerships
- Strategic Account Management
- Business Development
You will bring:
- Experience managing high-value strategic client relationships.
- Ideally, some experience of government, public sector or public sector healthcare.
- Expertise in leadership development a passion for education and the value it can create for business and society.
- A track record of exceeding ambitious growth and revenue targets.
- Strong consultative sales capability and commercial acumen.
- Experience leading complex bids, proposals and negotiations.
- Confidence engaging with senior stakeholders, including C-suite executives.
- Exceptional communication, influencing and relationship-building skills.
- The ability to navigate complex organisations and build trusted partnerships.
Why Oxford Saïd?
At Oxford Saïd Business School, you will join a globally recognised institution at a time of significant growth and ambition.
You will work alongside world-leading academics and practitioners, contribute to transformational learning experiences and help organisations tackle some of the most important challenges facing business, government and society today.
In return, you will benefit from:
- A senior, high-profile commercial leadership role.
- The opportunity to shape strategic partnerships with globally recognised organisations.
- A collaborative, intellectually stimulating environment.
- Excellent annual leave and pension provision.
- Access to the extensive benefits of working within the University of Oxford.
- The chance to contribute to one of the world's most respected and influential educational institutions.
Join Us
If you are passionate about building meaningful client relationships, creating commercial growth and delivering transformational impact through learning, we would love to hear from you.
Help shape the future of Executive Education at Oxford Saïd Business School.
You must have the Right to Work within the UK as this position may not amount to enough points under the points-based immigration system in the UK.
Further information on this role can be found in the job description.
We offer very generous benefits, some of which are:
- Generous holiday allowance of 38 days including bank holidays
- Hybrid working
- Membership of the Oxford staff pension scheme
- Discounted bus travel
- Subsidised onsite catering
- Cycle loan scheme
- Plus, many other University benefits
To apply, please send your CV, cover letter/supporting statement and current salary to Martin Hawes at The Edge Selection mgh@theedgeselection.co.uk. The closing date for applications is Friday 13 November 2026 at 12.00 noon.
Please note, this vacancy may close earlier than advertised if we receive a high number of suitable applications.
Are you interested in joining Saïd Business School’s talent pool and/or receiving our job alerts? Register at https://careers.sbs.ox.ac.uk/registration.aspx.
Do not click the apply button - please send your CV, cover letter/supporting statement and current salary to Martin Hawes at The Edge Selection mgh@theedgeselection.co.uk.
