About the Organisation

Our client is a leading education and awarding organisation delivering qualifications, apprenticeship assessment, and quality assurance services across engineering, manufacturing, management, professional services, sustainability, and digital skills sectors.

With a strong reputation for employer-led innovation, regulatory excellence, and commercial growth, the organisation continues to expand its footprint across the UK education, skills, and apprenticeships landscape.

The Opportunity

We are seeking an ambitious and commercially driven Commercial Lead to establish and scale a major operational and commercial presence across the South of England.

This is a high-impact leadership role focused on driving regional growth, building strategic partnerships, expanding market presence, and developing a high-performing regional team within the education and skills sector.

The successful candidate will combine strategic leadership with strong commercial capability, helping shape and deliver long-term growth across qualifications, apprenticeship assessment, workforce development, and employer engagement.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Growth & Market Expansion

• Lead the development and expansion of the organisation’s Southern UK operations
• Build regional market presence and commercial infrastructure
• Drive sustainable revenue growth and sector diversification
• Support the development of new qualifications and commercial services
• Contribute to long-term strategic planning and operational scalability

Commercial Development

• Identify and secure new business opportunities across education and skills markets
• Develop and grow partnerships with training providers, colleges, employers, and public sector organisations
• Drive growth across:
  • Apprenticeships
  • End Point Assessment (EPA)
  • Technical and vocational qualifications
  • Workforce development programmes
  • Digital and sustainability skills
  • Commercial accreditation services
• Lead commercial negotiations, tenders, and partnership agreements

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build strong relationships with:
  • FE colleges
  • Independent Training Providers
  • Multi-Academy Trusts
  • Universities
  • Employer groups
  • Chambers of Commerce
  • Local authorities
  • Skills and employment networks
• Act as a senior ambassador for the organisation within the education and skills sector

Leadership & Operations

• Recruit, lead, and develop regional teams across:
  • Business development
  • Operations
  • Quality assurance
  • EPA coordination
  • Compliance
  • Marketing
• Create a high-performance culture with clear accountability and KPI management
• Ensure operational excellence, customer satisfaction, and regulatory compliance

What We’re Looking For

Essential Experience

• Senior leadership experience within education, apprenticeships, awarding organisations, or vocational training
• Strong understanding of:
  • Further Education (FE)
  • Apprenticeships and EPA
  • Ofqual regulation
  • Skills funding and provider networks
• Proven success in commercial growth and partnership development
• Experience building and leading high-performing teams

Personal Attributes

• Entrepreneurial and commercially focused
• Strategic thinker with strong operational discipline
• Highly credible relationship-builder
• Confident communicator at executive and stakeholder level
• Self-motivated and capable of operating autonomously

Success Measures

• Achievement of commercial growth and revenue targets
• Expansion of provider and employer partnerships
• Increased regional market presence and brand recognition
• Strong operational performance and compliance standards
• Team growth, development, and retention

Why Apply?

This is a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role within a growing and highly respected education and awarding organisation. The role offers the chance to shape regional strategy, build long-term partnerships, and lead significant commercial growth within the UK skills and apprenticeship sector.