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Director Of Global Partnerships and Networks
Job details
Posted 09 April 2025 Salary Competitive End date 09 May 2025 Location Glasgow Job Type Management Professional & Administrative Reference 163771 Expiry 09 May 2025
Job Description
Job Purpose
Work directly with the Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC), External Engagement, and senior colleagues to provide strategic leadership to the University’s international ambition, with a particular focus on the institution’s transnational education (TNE) and international networks strategies.
Lead an innovative and business-development based approach to the identification of new TNE opportunities for the University. This will include the identification and evaluation of opportunities to grow the University of Glasgow’s international footprint through all facets of TNE and building business cases and buy-in for review and approval that will support the delivery of global KPIs, including income generation.
As a member of the External Relations Leadership Team, make a significant impact to the long-term direction, strategy and financial sustainability of the University, providing strategic leadership and expert insight to support the identification, management and enhancement of mutually beneficial bilateral partners, networks and alliances.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Strategy and Business Development
* Building on the existing TNE arrangements and working closely with colleagues engaged in TNE management and governance, lead on the University of Glasgow’s TNE strategy focused on new international business opportunities, including the mobilisation and co-ordination of all senior stakeholders. This will require a business development approach to support the identification and creation of opportunities, which support a range of TNE activities.
* Lead on the initial assessment of TNE opportunities to consider the strategic, reputational and academic fit of a partnership, preparing business cases for any proposed new TNE arrangements. This includes supporting Colleges with College-led TNE projects, working closely with Deans for Global Engagement and TNE Deans, and should include consideration of institutional capacity constraints to ensure appropriate prioritisation of opportunities against anticipated impact.
Governance
* Provide strategic and influential leadership and work with colleagues across Colleges and Professional Services to ensure the quality and alignment of international partnerships with the institution’s academic standards and goals, ensuring compliance with regulatory environments and accreditation standards. This will include working effectively with colleagues across the University to support the transition of TNE projects and activities into business as usual and representation on the University’s TNE Governance Board and International Strategy and Delivery Board.
Partnership Development
* Lead the development of strategic partnerships with HE institutions, organisations and governments worldwide to expand the institution’s international reach, reputation and enhance academic collaboration.
* Responsible for developing and implementing an ambitious programme of work to support the development of the University’s broader network of TNE partnerships. This will include representing the University in negotiating and finalising agreements with senior staff in overseas-based education institutions.
* Identify and assess potential international partner institutions for academic and research collaborations, joint degree programmes, student/staff exchange, and other collaborative initiatives.
* Network management (Universitas 21, The Guild for European-Research Intensive Universities and CIVIS, a European University Alliance), including fostering links with the African Research Universities Association (ARUA) and other priority partners, for example, the University of Sydney.
Risk Management and Due Diligence
* Lead on the development of risk assessments for each international partnership project – this will include periods of time overseas to undertake due diligence in-country, the potential requirement to commission external research and the organisation of high-level delegation visits to support the successful delivery of the TNE strategy. Any risk assessment should include risk identification and mitigating actions, ensuring legal, financial, cultural, and operational considerations are fully addressed.
Advisory Role
* Provide expert advice to senior leadership, informed by expertise in the international policy environment, quality assurance and regulations, as relevant to the specific venture to effect change and drive the progression of new international partnership, specifically TNE and network opportunities. This should include a clear risk assessment of the opportunities presented.
Communications
* Develop a long-term, strategic communications strategy to build advocacy internally and externally, sharing best practice and success of international partnerships and networks, including TNE, to support understanding of work in this area, alongside the outcomes and benefits to the University and the partner.
Resource Management
* Manage substantial resources, including the management of the annual budget and associated resources, in line with agreed budget processes, to support the successful delivery of international partnership KPIs, ensuring optimal resource allocation and cost effectiveness. In addition, the post holder is expected to seek and secure external funding opportunities, grants, and partnerships to support internationalisation efforts.
Other
* Deputise for the DVC, External Engagement and represent External Relations at a senior level on internal project boards, forums, and committees as required and/or to represent the University at a senior level on external professional groups, forums and committees as required.
* This post will play a major part in the University’s Institutional strategy and international operational plan.
* The post holder will manage a team of approx. 8 people and a budget of approx. £575k. The post holder will also have a dotted line to the Deans for Global Engagement.
NOTE: This is an externally facing role, which will require travel to agreed regions of the world.
Knowledge/Qualifications
Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience
Essential:
A1 Ability to demonstrate the necessary strategic competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary professional knowledge and leadership experience in a similar or number of different specialist roles Or: Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 9,10 or 11 (Ordinary/Honours Degree, Post Graduate Qualification), or equivalent, including being professionally qualified in relevant discipline, with a broad range of professional leadership experience in strategically important specialist areas.
A2 In-depth knowledge and experience of TNE policy and practice and knowledge of emerging international education trends particularly the internationalisation of higher education, the competitive environment and key challenges and their impact on the University’s business.
A3 Demonstrable expert knowledge and understanding of work practices and issues facing HE within an international HE context, policies and procedures relevant to the role.
A4 An aptitude to understand internal University systems, alongside external data sources to support consideration of market position and potential.
Desirable:
B1 Knowledge of institutional and College strategic priorities.
B2 In-depth knowledge of the University’s degree programmes and research strengths.
B3 Knowledge of trade policy.
Skills
Essential:
C1 High level relationship management, influencing, negotiation and interpersonal skills accompanied by political awareness and acumen.
C2 Strategic thinking and planning skills with the ability to covert these to operational plans.
C3 Well-developed leadership and motivational skills in formal and informal situations.
C4 Effective project management skills.
C5 Ability to identify trends in markets and generate original ideas and innovative solutions, and influence others to adopt them.
C6 Ability to challenge the status quo effectively.
C7 Proven high level communication skills, obtained through representational and negotiating activities.
C8 Excellent presentation skills.
C9 Ability to undertake risk analysis to ensure any associated risks are transparent.
C10 Well-developed ability to build relationships at a senior level.
C11 Strong understanding of cultural, linguistic and academic differences across global regions with the ability to bridge differences to facilitate successful collaborations.
Desirable:
D1 Second Language
Essential:
Experience
E1 Demonstrated track record of successfully establishing and managing international partnerships, TNE programmes and global initiatives in a higher education setting.
E2 Experience fostering successful collaborations with global institutions, managing transnational education programmes and driving strategic internationalisation efforts to enhance the institution’s global profile.
E3 Significant and relevant management and leadership experience, line managing a high performing team.
E4 Experience of developing innovative solutions and managing strategic planning processes.
E5 Substantial experience of international cross-cultural business development and high-level negotiation.
E6 Experience of high-level networking to build creative and mutually beneficial relationships that positively impact on both strategic and tactical business development.
E7 Experienced presenter with the confidence and communication skills to represent the institution on a global stage through conferences/events.
E8 Experience of effective budget/financial management.
E9 Experience of being the lead on projects with measurable outcomes with implications beyond own team.
Terms and Conditions
Salary will be on Competitive on the Management, Professional and Administrative, Senior Administrative Group, level 10.
This post is full time (35 hours per week) and open-ended (permanent). Relocation assistance will be provided where appropriate.
As part of Team UofG, you will be a member of a world-changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.
As a valued member of our team, you can expect:
1 A welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.
2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension, benefits and discount packages.
3 A flexible approach to working.
4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing.
We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community here.
We endorse the principles of Athena Swan and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.
We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information. #J-18808-Ljbffr