Executive Director (Short-Term Contract)

BUILA British Universities International Liaison Association; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading education organization is seeking an experienced senior leader to drive forward a change agenda. This interim role involves collaborating with the Non-Executive board and operational team to deliver strategic initiatives while ensuring effective service to members. Candidates should have significant experience in the International UK Education sector and demonstrate strong organisational and communication skills. The position is hybrid, requiring occasional meetings across the UK.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in the International UK Education sector.
• Demonstrated experience in managing organisations and projects at a senior level.
• Ability to build good rapport with Non-Executive Directors and strong collaborative working relationships.

Responsibilities

• Drive forward a change agenda for BUILA.
• Work with professional companies to ensure BUILA’s legal structure is fit for purpose.
• Provide Non-Executive board with updates and recommendations.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Networking skills

Organisational skills

Management experience

Job description

Employment Type: Part Time Fixed Term Contract – 7 months

Location: Hybrid mostly remote with occasional meetings and events across the UK· Salary: Circa £60,000 (GBP pro rata)

Working Hours: Average of 3.5 days a week

Seniority: Senior

Closing: 5:00pm, Monday 1st December 2025 BST

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced senior leader to drive forward a change agenda for the British Universities’ International Liaison Association (BUILA). Working with the Non-Executive board and operational team this interim post is essential to ensure BUILA delivers the strategic initiatives required by its members.

BUILA is a not-for-profit UK-wide, membership-led organisation that supports the work and professional interests of Higher Education internationalisation professionals. We do this by:

Providing a strong and unifying international practitioner voice, representing a broad and diverse sector. Helping to shape and influence future policy at a national, and regional governmental level, through lobbying and work with government departments.

Helping to unify the sector by supporting, enabling and encouraging collaborations with partners at key stages of the international student journey.

Strengthening the sector by enabling the sharing of best practice and enhancing the knowledge and skills of our members.

The key responsibilities for the fixed term contract will include:

Working with professional companies to ensure BUILA’s legal structure is fit for purpose

Providing the Non-Executive board with updates and recommendations for the structure, budget and workload of BUILA based on detailed knowledge of the International Education sector and comprehensive consultation and analysis.

Reviewing and evaluating the progress of BUILA services to members and BUILA’s agreed strategic priorities, working closely with the Operational Team and Non-Executive Director leads, to maximise impact and ensure effectiveness.

Providing regular information on the financial and budget spend against services and priority project areas. Managing the network and close working relationship with sector partners who have an impact on BUILA’s priority areas throughout the transition period.

Working with key government departments to progress BUILA’s priorities during the transition period and reflect members interests in proposed policy impacting the Higher International Education sector.

About You:

With substantial experience and understanding of the International UK Education sector, you will have demonstrated experience in managing organisations and or projects at a senior level.

Utilising your excellent communication and networking skills, you will be able you will be able to use your interpersonal skills to build a good rapport with Non-Executive Directors, as well as strong collaborative working relationships with other sector partners, expert advisors, government departments and political figures.

You will have strong organisational and management skills based on knowledge of the International Education Sector and be able to successfully plan and manager a substantial workload, effectively prioritising work.

You will be confident to take the initiative, work independently and thrive within a complex, fast moving and diverse environment, but also demonstrate the ability to take on administrative tasks needed to support your own workload.

Applications to [e-mail]