Director Of International Business Development
WORLD CHANGERS TOGETHER
Job purpose
Work directly with the Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC), External Engagement and Assistant Vice-Principal, International, to provide strategic leadership to the University's transnational education strategy, with the primary objective of achieving our global ambitions, as outlined in Global Glasgow 2025.
Lead an innovative and business-development based approach to the identification of new TNE opportunities. 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 for internal review and approval that will support the delivery of global KPIs, including income generation. The post-holder will be required to work closely with regulatory bodies, international organisations and partners, as well as senior colleagues and key internal stakeholders across the University to ensure the development and delivery of a programme of mutually beneficial projects such as overseas developments and joint ventures that cover learning and teaching, research, innovation and mobility.
Main duties & responsibilities
Building on the existing TNE arrangements and working closely with colleagues engaged in TNE management and governance, the post-holder will 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.
To lead on the implementation of the University's TNE framework, developing a common, consistent and transparent approach to assessing and prioritising TNE opportunities against the ambitions as outlined within Global Glasgow 2025. This will include stewarding projects, ensuring academic engagement and sponsorship. Work closely with a large number of Professional Services teams e.g. Academic Policy and Governance (Strategy and Collaborations), Directorate of People and Organisational Development, Finance, and Student and Academic Services, recognising the need for input, support and buy-in from a broad network of University colleagues and the need to ensure compliance with regulatory environments and accreditation standards.
To lead the development of strategic partnerships with HE institutions, organisations and governments worldwide to expand the institution's international reach and enhance academic collaboration. The post-holder will be responsible for developing and implementing an ambitious programme of work to support the development of the University's broader network of TNE partnerships, identifying and assessing potential international partner institutions for academic and research collaborations, joint degree programmes, student/staff exchange, and other collaborative initiatives.
Lead on the development of risk assessments for each TNE project - this will include periods of time overseas to undertake due diligence in-country and the organisation of high-level delegation visits to support the successful delivery of the TNE strategy. Identify and mitigate risks associated with international collaborations and transnational education initiatives, including legal, financial, cultural, and operational considerations.
Develop a long-term strategic communications strategy to share best practice and success of TNE partnerships, to support institutional understanding of work in this area and outcomes and benefits to the institution.
Effectively manage and control annual budget and associated resources, in line with agreed budget processes to support the delivery of the TNE strategy, ensuring optimal resource allocation and cost effectiveness, including e.g. associated travel, and identified market research, by providing regular forecasts and reporting on spend.
Deputise for the DVC External Engagement/AVP International, as required, including at external meetings and events.
Knowledge and qualifications
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.
- A3 Knowledge of international education trends in particular the internationalisation of higher education, the competitive environment and key challenges and their impact on the University's business, within a UK and Scottish Government context
- A4 Thorough knowledge and understanding of work practices within an HE context, policies and procedures relevant to the role
- A5 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 convert these to effective operational plans
- C3 Ability to develop innovative solutions and to influence others to adopt them.
- C4 Well-developed leadership and motivational skills in formal and informal situations
- C5 Effective project management skills
- C6 Ability to identify trends in markets and generate original ideas and innovative solutions
- C7 Ability to challenge the status quo effectively
- C8 Proven high-level communication skills and excellent presentation skills
- C9 To provide expert advice and input into the institutional risk register to ensure any risks associated with TNE are transparent, understood, with mitigating actions agreed and actioned
- 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
Experience
Essential
- 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 an 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, and 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
Campus development plan
Our Vision
Over the next 10 years, the major investment will expand our campus footprint by 25%, creating a new urban quarter with the University at the heart of a revitalised west end. This is the largest development since the creation of the original campus in 1870.
This is a unique opportunity for a University to extend the boundaries of its historic core in a central city location. It will create:
- New learning and teaching facilities
- Refurbishment and repurposing of existing iconic buildings for specialist uses
- Identification and design of social spaces that support the student and community experience.
The expansion of our Gilmorehill campus into the 14 acre, former Western Infirmary site will transform the West End of Glasgow. The Masterplan for the site will incorporate:
- New learning and teaching facilities supporting our students and making sure they get the best in modern teaching and learning styles and approaches
- Creation of a Research Hub, housing large-scale multidisciplinary projects and incubator space for spin out collaborations with industry. This will encourage further innovation development
- New public cycle and pedestrian routes and a new central square which will link Byres Road to the up-and-coming cultural quarter for the West End, with new links to Kelvingrove and the newly-refurbished Kelvin Hall
- Refurbishment of five listed buildings: The Chapel, the Outpatients building, the Macgregor building, the Tennent Institute and Anderson College
- Commercial opportunities, including a hotel, restaurant, bars and cafes
- The state of the art Learning and Teaching Hub adjacent to the Boyd Orr building on University Avenue will be completed next year.
Find out more
Living in Glasgow
A UNESCO City of Music, a vibrant arts and culture scene, a food-lover’s delight, and a shopper’s paradise. Just some of the highlights of the ‘friendliest city in the world’. As well as that accolade by the Rough Guides poll, Glasgow has also been named a must visit destination by publications including the New York Times, The Guardian, and Wanderlust.
Music
The city hosts an average of 130 music events a week catering for every taste; from rock to rap, and classical to country. Glasgow also has a world class club scene playing host to some of the world’s top DJs.
Shopping
Outside of London’s West End, Glasgow is frequently voted the best place for shopping in the UK. A must-visit destination for any shop-a-holic, it houses high street chains, international designers, and independent retailers. The West End, home to the University of Glasgow, is bustling with vintage fashion, vinyl stores, and second-hand bookshops.
Arts and Culture
Glasgow’s arts scene has gone from strength to strength, and is the base for five internationally renowned performing arts companies including the National Theatre of Scotland and Scottish Ballet. The city has several world-class museums, which are free to the public, and the city’s architecture is a work of art in itself.
Food and drink
You can be in Glasgow and taste the world with its many diverse restaurants, cafes, and bars. And if you’ve yet to sample the delights of haggis and whisky, Glasgow is the place to be.
The City and Beyond
Glasgow has all the opportunities and excitement of a big city but its compact size means you can quickly travel from one vibrant district to the next. You could be relaxing in one of its many parks, before shopping in the quirky West End, and then dancing until the wee small hours in the Merchant City.
And when you fancy getting out of the city you can reach the stunning Loch Lomond in just 30 minutes, climb one of our many breath-taking Munros, play golf at one of Scotland’s many world-class courses, visit one of our ancient castles, or go further North and search for Nessie! Scotland has also just been named the world’s most beautiful country by Rough Guides.
Relocating to Glasgow
Choosing to relocate to Glasgow is a big decision. There are numerous things to be considered, such as the costs of moving, the cost of living, and where exactly to relocate to. We have created two guides to aide you in the decision making process.
Find out more on relocating to Glasgow at the below link:
WORLD CHANGERS TOGETHER
WORLD CHANGING GLASGOW 2025
Our outstanding disciplinary breadth and expertise has enabled us to make world-changing advances in fields as diverse as medicine, physics, linguistics, public policy and global development.
The key to our success is our talented staff and students pushing back at the boundaries of knowledge and understanding together.
Our World Changers Together strategy recognises the fundamental importance of a culture of open cooperation: not just as colleagues and mentors or students and teachers, but as a community of discovery that reaches beyond its walls and draws inspiration and strength from its connections and partnerships worldwide: excellence that's part of something bigger. The strategy is articulated across three themes:
COMMUNITY
- People centred, globally engaged
CONNECTIVITY
- Collaboratively minded, digitally enhanced
CHALLENGES
- Solution focused, impact oriented
Find out more
How to apply
Full details of the role and how to apply can be found by visiting our website:
The closing date for applications is 23:45 on Wednesday 5th June 2024
Terms & Conditions
Salary will be on the Management, Professional and Administrative, Senior Administrative Group, level 10.
This post is full time (35 hours per week) and open-ended (permanent)
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:
- A welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.
- An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension, benefits and discount packages.
- A flexible approach to working.
- 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.
It is the University of Glasgow’s mission to foster an inclusive climate, which ensures equality in our working, learning, research and teaching environment. We strongly endorse the principles of Athena SWAN, including a supportive and flexible working environment, with commitment from all levels of the organisation in promoting gender equity.
Our values
The future holds innumerable challenges for our sector, our society, and our world. We will have to adapt and change what we do and what we offer if we are to navigate these successfully. Our strategy and approach may evolve as the landscape changes, but our values will remain constant: a fixed point of certainty in uncertain times.
We have identified our values in consultation and partnership with our staff and student community. Living and upholding these values will ensure that we remain true to the spirit of our community and ourselves:
Ambition and Excellence
- We strive for excellence through our work
- We defend academic freedom globally
- We recognise and celebrate shared success
- We have an unrelenting focus on development
Curiosity and Discovery
- We innovate and solve problems together
- We lead by influence and example
- We engage with lifelong learning and personal development
- We learn from our mistakes
Integrity and Truth
- We uphold honesty, integrity and fairness
- We share our work widely and generously
- We do the right thing, not the easy thing - or we don’t do it
- We take responsibility
An Inclusive Community
- We are one Glasgow team, and we care for and respect one another
- We advocate for diversity and believe in variety as a vital part of a healthy university
- We champion education as an engine for social progress
- We practise and advance sustainability