Educational partnerships institutional liaison manager (ilm)

Full Time, Fixed Term - Professional SerGrade 11 — Fixed-term 18 months

Oxford Brookes University is a globally recognised, forward‑thinking institution rooted in a city known for culture, learning and innovation. We take pride in combining our rich academic heritage with a modern, inclusive and ambitious outlook. Our people are central to our success, and we are committed to providing an environment where colleagues can grow, contribute and thrive.

As part of this commitment, we proudly hold the Athena SWAN Bronze Award, demonstrating our dedication to advancing gender equality and fostering an inclusive working culture.

The Role

You will join the Educational Partnerships team at a pivotal point in our development, playing a central role in translating our TNE ambitions into reality. As we broaden our international footprint, you will drive the development and implementation phase of the partnership lifecycle—advancing new collaborations as they move from early‑stage proposals into formal design and fully operational partnerships.

Beyond the initial setup, you will maintain oversight of continued delivery, ensuring the long‑term integrity and health of our global portfolio. Working closely with internal colleagues and external partners, you will provide the expert guidance and stakeholder management necessary to ensure each partnership satisfies academic and regulatory requirements.

Joining a collaborative team of Institutional Liaison Managers, you will champion quality and standards by working in close alignment with specialist quality colleagues. You will successfully navigate the complex matrix of the University to ensure that these expanding operations safeguard the academic excellence of our established partnerships.

About You

We are looking for a professional who combines the diligent oversight of academic standards with a strategic perspective to understand how individual partnerships align with the wider institutional context. This is a high‑visibility role that requires the interpersonal credibility and cultural awareness to influence stakeholders at all levels, balancing the detail of educational delivery with the sustainability of our international partnerships.

You will bring a collaborative leadership approach and the ability to help others navigate the space between academic ambition and regulatory requirements. Acting as an expert guide between policy and pedagogy, you are comfortable engaging in high‑level dialogue regarding teaching and learning, curriculum design, and the student experience. You have the strategic insight to support academic development while ensuring those ambitions consistently uphold our rigorous quality and regulatory frameworks. We welcome applications from both experienced academics and professional service staff with expertise in curriculum and quality frameworks within the context of higher education.

What will I be doing?

• Monitor quality and student experience across partnerships, intervening to mitigate risks and ensure academic standards are maintained
• Provide expert advice on UK HE regulations (OfS, QAA) and ensure alignment with international partner frameworks
• Lead complex, multi‑stakeholder projects across the full partnership lifecycle, focusing on programme development, validation and operational delivery
• Facilitate high‑level strategic collaboration between internal academic leads and partner institutions, driving alignment through both virtual and in‑person engagement
• Oversee validation, revalidation, programme modification and quinquennial review processes across Levels 3–7
• Chair or support key committees, providing authoritative guidance on policies, regulations and student‑related decision‑making
• Analyse and interpret complex datasets (recruitment, progression, outcomes) to support committee decision‑making and institutional risk management
• Work collaboratively to assess new partnership opportunities, supporting scoping and high‑level relationship building to ensure potential collaborations meet institutional goals

What skills do I need?

Essential:

• Master’s degree, MBA or equivalent professional experience
• Significant experience leading academic quality assurance and programme governance, with the ability to evaluate teaching and learning standards against complex regulatory frameworks
• Experience monitoring quality and student experience across partnerships, with the ability to proactively intervene to mitigate risks, safeguarding academic standards and institutional reputation
• In‑depth knowledge of the UK regulatory landscape (e.g. OfS, QAA) and practical experience of applying international TNE standards
• Advanced communication and influencing skills, with the interpersonal credibility to engage across diverse cultural contexts and navigate varying stakeholder interests
• Experience applying structured project management methods to complex, multi‑stakeholder initiatives
• Experience in committee leadership, including chairing and interpreting regulatory policy
• Highly developed data literacy and ability to interpret complex datasets for senior audiences
• Exceptional organisational and planning skills with the ability to meet critical deadlines
• Ability to travel internationally as needed

Desirable:

• Experience managing a diverse range of TNE delivery models, such as dual awards, franchised provision, or branch campuses
• Professional certification in quality assurance or project management

About the location

The post is based at our Headington campus, a vibrant academic setting one mile from central Oxford, well served by public transport. Hybrid working is supported, with regular on‑campus attendance dependent on business needs.

Benefits

As an Oxford Brookes employee, you will have access to a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Minimum 25 days annual leave, rising with service, plus Bank Holidays and university closure days
• Competitive Local Government Pension Scheme with a 19.2% employer contribution
• Hybrid working support and provision of required equipment
• Access to wellbeing, financial and family support services
• Travel discounts, TOTUM card, on‑site nursery and modern sports facilities
• Training, development and leadership opportunities
• Staff networks and a strong sense of community

Equality, diversity and inclusion

At Oxford Brookes, inclusivity is one of our five guiding principles: we take positive steps to create an environment in which we celebrate, value and provide equal opportunity to all. We are committed to recruiting from the widest possible pool and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates who embrace our values, regardless of their background.

As a Disability Confident Employer we guarantee to interview any disabled applicant who meets the essential selection criteria