Job Description
Business Development Officer
Ascend Learning Trust (Central Team)
Salary: Grade I, £34,434-£36,363 (DOE) FTE
Contract: Permanent, full time
Hours: 37 hours per week, 08:30-16:30 Monday-Thursday and 08:30-16:00 Friday
Closing date: Midday Monday 23rd March 2026
Interview Date: TBC
Anticipated Start Date: ASAP
Job Overview
We are looking for a proactive and detail-driven Business Development Officer to help maximise external funding opportunities across our Trust. As a successful applicant, you will lead on researching and securing grants, preparing high-quality bids, and ensuring full compliance with funding and procurement requirements. Working closely with school leaders, finance teams, and the Legal and Procurement Lead, you will play a key role in supporting strategic priorities across our seven schools. If you have strong communication skills, proven experience in grant management, and the ability to build effective partnerships, we’d love to hear from you.
Full details can be found in the recruitment pack.
Ascend Learning Trust creates a sense of belonging for everyone. All our young people receive a holistic, world class education regardless of where they come from or their life challenges. They will leave their Ascend community with outcomes that opens doors to a fulfilling and successful future.
If you want to be a part of this, and work alongside ambitious, compassionate, and dedicated people we welcome your application. Our mission is to develop and retain high quality professional who relentlessly pursue the Ascend vision.
Together we will foster a culture of compassion and inclusivity with high expectations and standards for all. Where horizons are limitless, and education is unmissable.
Together we Belong, Believe, Become.
We also offer an excellent staff benefit package which include discounts on high street stores, restaurants, cinemas, and gyms as well as having a wellbeing hub and a cycle to work scheme. We have a wide range of benefits for employees which include:
Health & Wellbeing
· Free annual Flu Vaccines
· Discounted Gym Memberships
· 24-hour access to free counselling helpline for family, debt advice
· *Annual ‘Wellbeing Day’
· Generous holiday allowance
· Flexible working solutions
Financial
· Hundreds of offers and discounts and cashback on local and national stores
· Excellent Pension Schemes including an employer contribution of 24.3% for support staff
· Cycle to Work and Tech Schemes
· Health and Fitness Schemes (available at additional cost)
Career Progression
· Instructional Coaching for Teachers
· Developmental performance management conversations
· Apprenticeship opportunities for ‘on the job training’
· Investment in your career, internal and external talent solutions.
· Recognition and Reward –including service awards
* Please note some allowances are only applicable on completion of a successful 6 month probation.
Please note if we receive sufficient applications, we may close this job role earlier.
At Ascend Learning Trust, we believe in the power of diversity to drive innovation, foster creativity, and create a workplace that truly reflects the richness of the world around us. We are excited to welcome applicants from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to join our dynamic team.
Reasonable adjustments are modifications or accommodations made to ensure that individuals with disabilities or specific needs can perform their job duties effectively. We embrace the idea that everyone should have equal opportunities to succeed, and our aim is to make this a reality.
SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT
Ascend Learning Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We particularly welcome applications from underrepresented groups including ethnicity, gender, transgender, age, disability, sexual orientation, or religion.
Please note that this role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, which means that you are required to disclose any criminal convictions, cautions, warnings, or reprimands, even if they would normally be considered "spent” and a DBS check will be carried out before any employment commences.
In line with KCSIE 2025 and safer recruitment practices, the school will conduct an online search for all shortlisted candidates. The online search is part of our safeguarding checks and will seek publicly available information on candidates’ suitability to work with children. Shortlisted candidates will be provided with further guidance and will be asked to clarify their online presence.
References will be obtained before interview at shortlisting stage and may be used in the interview process. If previous employment has included working with children, then at least one referee must be from this employment regardless of whether this is the current or most recent employment Any gaps in employment must be detailed and an explanation provided in the relevant section.