CEO Office Business Manager & Strategic Projects Lead

Location: Uxbridge, with requirement to travel to other sites as required

HRUC (Harrow, Richmond and Uxbridge Colleges) is a highly successful and ambitious Further Education college group. We are one of the largest further education colleges in England and are proud to be one of London’s best-performing colleges.

This is a unique opportunity to operate at the heart of the CEO’s Office, helping to translate HRUC’s ambitious vision for learners, employers, communities, and stakeholders into coordinated action and measurable impact. The role combines hands-on strategic project delivery, CEO office business management, executive governance support, senior stakeholder engagement, and high-level executive coordination.

Acting as a trusted adviser, business manager, and delivery partner to the CEO, you will work alongside an ambitious Executive Management Team and senior leaders across our multi-site FE college group. You will contribute to strategic decision-making, connect priorities across curriculum and business support areas, and maintain momentum on projects and commitments that matter to the Group.

This is a hands-on business management and strategic delivery role requiring an established track record in a CEO, Principal, or equivalent senior executive office. You will be comfortable exercising judgement, working credibly with Governors and senior leaders, handling sensitive issues, and personally driving complex work across the organisation. We are seeking an individual who can demonstrate:

• Substantial experience operating in a CEO, Principal, or equivalent senior executive office at business manager, senior executive support, or comparable level
• Strategic project delivery, business management, governance, or executive office experience, ideally gained in Further Education, education, the public sector, or a similarly complex regulated environment
• A strong track record of personally co-ordinating and delivering complex or transformational cross-organisational priorities, projects, or workstreams through to measurable outcomes
• Experience of researching, analysing, and preparing high-quality strategic briefings, reports, presentations, summaries, and decision papers
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the credibility to work with Governors, senior leaders, college and curriculum teams, and external partners
• The ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced senior environment, taking account of academic, governance, performance, and regulatory cycles
• A proactive, analytical, and solution-focused approach, with the ability to identify risks, dependencies, and practical next steps
• High levels of professionalism, integrity, discretion, and resilience
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
• Strong digital capability, including advanced use of Microsoft Office to produce executive-ready information, reporting, and presentations

You will be joining a supportive and inclusive Further Education organisation, with opportunities for professional development and growth. We offer a range of benefits for staff including a generous annual leave allowance, the Local Government Pension Scheme, a wellness platform, an employee assistance programme, and free car parking on all sites.

Interviews are expected to take place 22nd and/or 24th September 2026.

Notice for Recruitment Agencies: 

HRUC operates with a managed service provider (MSP) for recruitment services. We do not accept unsolicited emails, CVs, or contact from recruitment agencies. Any CVs or information sent to HRUC outside of this process will not be considered or acted upon, regardless of the terms and conditions stated by the agency. 

Further details:   Job Description     

Equal Opportunities

HRUC is an equal opportunities employer. We encourage applications from all people, irrespective of disability, race, gender, age, sexual orientation, transsexual or gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership, religion/faith or pregnancy and maternity leave.

Disclosure and Barring Service checks 

HRUC (Harrow, Richmond & Uxbridge Colleges) is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults, and we expect all staff to share this commitment. To ensure that we meet our safeguarding commitments we will carry out all necessary pre-employment checks, including undertaking an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring check for all successful candidates.  

Where references are taken up by the College, it is our policy not to disclose references to candidates.

Rehabilitation of Ex-Offenders

Harrow, Richmond and Uxbridge College (HRUC) is committed to the fair treatment of all applicants, employees, learners, and volunteers, including those with criminal records. We actively promote equality of opportunity and welcome applications from a wide range of candidates, including ex-offenders. Our approach is in line with all relevant and current safeguarding and equality legislation.