Assistant Director - Global Engagement

Uniglobaltechnologies; Northampton; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Northampton is seeking a senior leader to head Global Engagement and Partnerships, developing and managing UK and international partnerships to support institutional growth and student opportunities.

You will lead governance, due diligence, and recruitment-aligned engagement while driving strategic collaboration with partner institutions and stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Extensive higher education experience in partnership management and international education.
• Leadership experience in global recruitment and engagement.
• Strong relationship-building and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Global Partnerships Team.
• Develop, manage, and grow the university’s portfolio of UK and international academic partnerships.
• Oversee partnership strategy and global engagement activity.
• Develop business cases and due diligence processes.
• Support faculties on recruitment and partnership KPIs.
• Identify high-value strategic partnerships globally.
• Monitor market demand and related risks.
• Manage partner performance and relationship development.
• Produce reports for senior committees.
• Ensure a high-quality student experience across partner institutions.
• Lead and motivate Global Partnerships Managers.
• Serve on university committees.
• Maintain governance and compliance.

Skills

Partnership management

International education

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Governance

Risk management

Job description

United Kingdom — International Student Market

654K inbound students (2024) +0%

1. India 169K

2. China 152K

4. United States 36K

5. Pakistan 31K

14 international branch campuses in United Kingdom

OVERVIEW The Assistant Director - Global Engagement is a senior leadership position at the University of Northampton focused on developing and managing a portfolio of UK and international education partnerships. The role supports institutional growth through strategic global partnerships, partnership management, governance, compliance, and engagement activities. This opportunity combines leadership, business development, and operational oversight within higher education and international education. The position works closely with university stakeholders to strengthen partnerships, support recruitment objectives, and maintain high standards across partner institutions. The successful candidate will contribute to global engagement strategy while leading partnership activity that aligns with institutional priorities.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the Global Partnerships Team
• Develop, manage, and grow the university’s portfolio of UK and international academic partnerships
• Oversee partnership strategy and global engagement activity
• Develop business cases and due diligence processes
• Support faculties on recruitment and partnership KPIs
• Identify high-value strategic partnerships globally
• Monitor market demand and associated risks
• Manage partner performance and relationship development
• Produce reports for senior committees
• Ensure a high-quality student experience across partner institutions
• Lead and motivate Global Partnerships Managers
• Serve on university committees
• Maintain governance and compliance

Requirements

Undertake regular international travel

Requirements

• Extensive higher education experience in partnership management and international education
• Knowledge of regulatory and quality assurance

Requirements

• Leadership experience in global recruitment and engagement
• Strong relationship-building skills
• Strong organisational skills
• Experience supporting partnerships and institutional engagement activity WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS This role contributes directly to the development of sustainable global partnerships that support institutional growth, student opportunity, and international engagement. Effective leadership in partnership strategy and governance helps strengthen collaboration across higher education institutions while supporting quality standards and long‑term partnership success. The position also plays an important role in supporting a positive student experience across partnership networks and ensuring that international education activity aligns with strategic priorities.

Bonus: Application advice

• Highlight leadership experience connected to international education and higher education partnerships
• Provide examples of partnership development, governance, or compliance

Key responsibilities

• Demonstrate experience managing global partnerships or international engagement projects
• Include evidence of relationship management, negotiation, and stakeholder communication skills
• Show familiarity with recruitment targets, partnership performance measures, or strategic planning
• Prepare examples that demonstrate leadership experience within complex organisational environments