At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic partnerships and drive growth in Executive Education.
- Company: Join Oxford Saïd Business School, a top provider of Executive Education.
- Benefits: Generous holiday allowance, hybrid working, and access to university benefits.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Shape the future of education and make a real impact on society.
- Qualifications: Proven track record in strategic relationships and revenue growth.
The predicted salary is between 59400 - 72600 £ per year.
About The Role
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.
- 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.
About Us
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
- The closing date for applications is
Friday 18 September 2026 at 12.00 noon.
Please note, this vacancy may close earlier than advertised if we receive a high number of suitable applications.
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Associate Director, Clients and Markets in Oxford employer: SBS Careers
Saïd Business School is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises diversity and inclusion while providing ample opportunities for professional growth. Located in the heart of Oxford, employees benefit from a generous holiday allowance, hybrid working options, and access to various university perks, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment in a supportive environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Director, Clients and Markets in Oxford
✨Get Involved in Industry Events
Jumping into industry events or leadership conferences can really help boost your visibility. Not only will you meet potential employers, but you’ll also get the chance to connect with other leaders in corporate management. Look for local or even virtual events that focus on leadership—every connection counts!
✨Engage in Professional Networks
Join professional management associations relevant to your career goals. These networks often host workshops, panels, and networking events that can put you in front of hiring managers. Plus, they can give you the scoop on upcoming roles, such as the full-time positions with companies like SBS Careers.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
When reaching out to potential employers, particularly for leadership roles, demonstrate your leadership capabilities with real examples. Share stories from your previous positions that illustrate how you handled challenges and drove results. This will help you stand out when you apply to places like SBS Careers.
✨Tailor Your LinkedIn Presence
Ensure your LinkedIn profile is specifically tailored to corporate leadership. Highlight achievements, showcase relevant content and engage with posts in management groups. This not only builds your credibility but keeps you on the radar of companies looking for candidates like you as they post full-time opportunities.
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Director, Clients and Markets in Oxford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Leadership Skills:In the corporate leadership and management field, it's essential to highlight your leadership experience. Use your CV to flesh out examples of how you've led teams to success or managed significant projects. We want to see specific instances where your actions made a tangible difference in your previous roles!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers talk, especially in management! When detailing your achievements in your CV or cover letter, don’t just say you improved team performance. Instead, say you boosted productivity by 30% over six months through effective strategy implementation. This makes your application pop and shows us what you can bring to SBS Careers.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to narrate your professional journey. We’re looking for motivation and a clear understanding of what corporate leadership means to you. Dive into your aspirations and how they align with the values and vision of SBS Careers. Make it personal – we want to get to know you!
Tailor Your CV for Management Roles:Ensure your CV reflects the management skills that are essential for this role. Focus on competencies like strategic planning, team building, and problem-solving. Use a clean layout, and don’t forget to align your experiences with those keywords mentioned in the job listing. This will help you stand out from the crowd!
How to prepare for a job interview at SBS Careers
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
You’ll want to thoroughly convey your unique approach to leadership. During the interview with SBS Careers, be ready to share real-life examples of how you've inspired and motivated teams in the past. Think about specific achievements that illustrate your strategic thinking and your ability to drive results.
✨Brush Up on Management Theories
Expect some technical questions related to management theories and practices. Brush up on concepts like transformational leadership, servant leadership, or situational leadership. Be prepared to discuss how you would apply these theories to the role at SBS Careers, especially in the specific context of the challenges they’re currently facing.
✨Craft Your Vision for the Company
Since this is a full-time leadership role, spending time thinking about your vision for SBS Careers could really set you apart. Consider potential strategies for growth and how you would lead teams towards achieving them. This shows not just enthusiasm, but also strategic foresight that they’ll likely be looking for in a candidate.
✨Emphasise Team Dynamics and Culture
In corporate leadership, team dynamics and organisational culture are everything. Be ready to discuss how you've fostered a positive work environment in previous roles. Bring up examples of how you've managed diverse teams effectively—this will resonate well at SBS Careers as they’re likely seeking a candidate who can enhance their workplace culture.
