£94,298 to £117,872 per annum (for exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £135,553 per annum).
Hybrid
This role will be based on site, primarily in the named location with the opportunity to work remotely available in line with our Adaptive Working Framework.
About the Global Engagement Team
The Global Engagement Team underpins the University’s commercial and growth ambitions by identifying, developing and managing strategic international partnerships that deliver educational, reputational and financial value. With strong insight into global higher education markets and policy environments, the team supports the expansion of transnational education, international recruitment pipelines and collaborative programmes, ensuring that global activity is sustainable, compliant and aligned to the University’s long‑term strategy.
The Director of Partnerships and Global Engagement will lead the University’s Global Engagement Team, a strategically important function that delivers international partnerships, transnational education, global mobility and the international student experience. Reporting to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Deputy CEO, the Director will provide strategic leadership for the Global Engagement Strategy, ensuring alignment with the University Strategy, commercial priorities and the changing global higher education landscape. Through horizon‑scanning, market insight and policy analysis, the role will shape sustainable, high‑value partnerships and inform evidence‑based decision‑making across international recruitment, mobility and collaborative provision.
Working closely with the Provost (Learning & Teaching), PVC‑Deans and senior academic leaders, the Director will embed internationalisation across curriculum, pedagogy, research collaboration and the wider student experience. The role will oversee the governance, performance and continuous enhancement of the University’s global partnership portfolio, ensuring academic quality, regulatory compliance, ethical practice and commercial value. Acting as a senior ambassador for the University, the Director will build influential relationships with international institutions, governments and industry partners, while providing motivational leadership that strengthens global capability, partnership readiness and an inclusive, high‑performance culture across the University.
You will bring senior‑level experience in international higher education, with deep insight into global education markets, policy, and sector trends. You will have a proven track record of building and leading complex, high‑value partnerships and of translating global opportunity into tangible, sustainable impact. Strategically minded, commercially astute, and collaborative in approach, you will be an inspiring leader with the credibility to operate at Executive level and represent the University on the global stage.
Upon appointment, this role will require a Fit and Proper Persons check. For more information, please refer to this guidance.
Responsibilities
* Provide strategic leadership for the development and delivery of the University’s Global Engagement Strategy, ensuring alignment with the overarching University Strategy, commercial and international priorities, and the evolving global higher education landscape.
* Lead horizon‑scanning and analysis of international market trends, geopolitical shifts, and policy developments, using insight to inform strategic decision‑making and the development of sustainable, high‑value global partnerships.
* Work collaboratively with the Provost (Learning & Teaching), PVC Deans and senior academic leaders to embed internationalisation across curricula, pedagogy, research collaboration, and the wider student experience.
* Develop, strengthen and manage the University’s global network of academic partners, ensuring partnerships deliver academic quality, regulatory compliance, commercial value and a high‑quality student experience.
* Build and maintain strategic relationships with international universities, governments, funding bodies, and industry partners, enhancing Derby’s global presence, academic profile, and influence.
* Ensure that partnership approvals, reviews and evaluations follow rigorous governance, risk assessment and due‑diligence processes, aligned with institutional frameworks and regulatory requirements.
* Lead the development of global mobility opportunities, including exchanges, placements, and experiential learning, ensuring these contribute positively to the transformational student experience and the University’s social and international mobility ambitions.
* Ensure that student voice, insights from annual monitoring, and partner feedback inform continuous enhancement of partnership activity and international student experience.
* Support evidence‑based international recruitment strategies in collaboration with External Relations, Registry, Colleges, and the Chief Finance Officer, ensuring business cases are market‑led, insight‑driven and aligned to institutional priorities.
* Act as a senior ambassador for the University in the UK and internationally, representing Derby at global events, policy forums, international networks, and senior‑level partner meetings to enhance reputation and influence.
* Drive collaboration with external partners to secure opportunities for global engagement, research collaboration, innovation and long‑term partnership development.
* Lead internal capacity building to strengthen global competence, intercultural capability and partnership readiness across Colleges and Professional Services.
* Ensure effective systems, processes and performance frameworks support high‑quality delivery, compliance, and continuous improvement across all areas of responsibility.
* Provide motivational leadership to teams within the global partnerships portfolio, ensuring strategic and operational plans are aligned with the University Strategy and that a high‑performance, inclusive and collaborative culture is maintained.
* Ensure that diversity, inclusion, ethical practice and cultural sensitivity are embedded across all international and partnership activities.
* Contribute flexibly to the wider work of the University’s leadership team, supporting the delivery of institutional strategic objectives and undertaking any other responsibilities commensurate with the seniority of the role.
* Professorial or equivalent academic standing, with a record of teaching, research, and/or pedagogic excellence commensurate with senior academic leadership.
* PhD, Professional Doctorate or equivalent expertise/standing gained through senior professional practice in global higher education.
* Evidence of sustained professional development and active membership of relevant national and international associations, networks or advisory groups.
Experience
* Demonstrable success in leading the strategic development of global education, international partnerships, transnational education, or global mobility at institutional or faculty level.
* Significant experience operating in senior academic leadership, with a record of delivering strategic outcomes through cross‑functional collaboration and effective people leadership.
* A strong track record in strategic business planning, market analysis and positioning an academic unit or institution for future success within a global context.
* Experience facilitating high‑quality learning, teaching, research or student outcomes through the recruitment, development and management of academic and professional staff and related resources.
* Proven experience initiating, leading and delivering cross‑institutional change projects or academic transformation initiatives.
* Comprehensive understanding of the UK and global higher education environment, including regulatory, academic and geopolitical factors shaping international engagement.
* Experience leading policy development and translating strategy into operational delivery frameworks and governance processes.
* Recognised international academic profile and evidence of personal achievement in research, academic leadership, global engagement or a combination thereof.
* A track record of senior‑level leadership and management within higher education, including academic decision‑making, committee leadership and engagement with senior governance structures.
* Evidence of a strong research track record in a relevant discipline, contributing to the academic profile of the institution.
Skills, Knowledge & Abilities
* Comprehensive understanding of current and emerging issues affecting global HE, including TNE models, partnerships, mobility, compliance, and geopolitical dynamics.
* Proven ability to lead, inspire and motivate academic and professional staff, building trust, collaboration and shared purpose across diverse stakeholder groups.
* Strong ability to negotiate, shape and sustain strategic academic partnerships that are collaborative, inclusive, and aligned to institutional priorities.
* Excellent collaboration and team‑working skills, with the ability to operate effectively in a complex environment with competing priorities.
* Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce high‑quality, evidence‑based strategies, business cases, academic papers and committee reports.
* Demonstrated ability to analyse and interpret data to inform decision‑making and policy development.
* Excellent networking, diplomacy and influencing skills, with the academic and professional credibility to engage senior leaders, global partners, policymakers and external stakeholders.
* High levels of resilience, agility and judgement, with the ability to balance strategic thinking with operational delivery under pressure.
Business Requirements
* Highly flexible and able to travel on a national and international basis when required.
* Generous annual leave entitlement of 42 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)
* Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family‑friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
* Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers
* Discounted onsite gym
* Access to employer‑funded Private Health Insurance
* Holiday purchase
* Cycle to Work scheme
* A flexible working environment
* A commitment to personal and professional development
For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Professor Keith McLay, Deputy Vice Chancellor and Deputy CEO via k.mclay@derby.ac.uk
This role is eligible for sponsorship by the University, however, your individual circumstances must meet the criteria set out by UKVI ; this includes meeting the English Language requirement and earning a salary that meets the highest of either the going rate for the SOC code or the minimum salary threshold for the Skilled Worker route (£41,700 per annum, as of 22nd July 2025).
If the role is eligible, but the offered salary is less that the going rate for the role, you may still be able to apply for a Skilled Worker visa if:
Your job is on the Immigration Salary List
You’re under 26, studying or a recent graduate, or in professional training
You have a PhD level qualification that’s relevant to your job
You have a postdoctoral position in science or higher education
Please note that the University cannot confirm your eligibility for sponsorship until an offer is made and your individual circumstances have been considered.
If you are successful, you will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Any information you provide will be treated in confidence and only used when considering your suitability for the post.
To enable us to process your DBS check please ensure you are able to supply the documentation listed on the DBS website at interview stage.
Equity, diversity and inclusion
The University of Derby is committed to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion, regardless of age, disability, trans status, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief (or none), sex and sexual orientation.
We are Disability Confident Employers, demonstrating our commitment to disability inclusion, and invite applicants to highlight adjustments they may require to ensure equitable participation in our recruitment processes.
Further, we are committed to ensuring an environment which is trans and non-binary-inclusive for all our staff, students, partners, and visitors, and continuously review our policies, guidance and training.
When applying to join the University, you can choose your preferred title, including the gender-neutral title ’Mx’. We also ask our candidates if they would like to share their preferred pronouns. This is voluntary but demonstrates our commitment to inclusivity for trans and non-binary candidates. Once employed, you can add pronouns and preferred names onto our system.
The University of Derby undertakes anonymised shortlisting during the staff recruitment process. This means that, when shortlisting, panel members will not be able to see an applicant’s name and will see an applicant number instead. This demonstrates the practical steps we are taking to remove barriers to recruitment by minimising the possible impact of our unconscious bias.
However you identify, we actively celebrate the knowledge, experience and talents each person brings. Our students come from a wide range of backgrounds; therefore we are particularly interested to hear from applicants who will help our leaders and teams be more reflective of our student population.
At the University of Derby, we are passionate about embedding sustainability into everything that we do. We aim to bring environmental sustainability into all aspects of the University, including teaching, research and operational activities. In line with the University's strategic framework, we expect all our staff to embed sustainability into their working practices and support the University's objective to reach net zero carbon by 2050.
The University of Derby is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our staff, students and children. At the University of Derby, safeguarding is everybody's concern.
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