Job Purpose

This post sits within the International Partnerships and Networks team within the External Relations Directorate.

Working under the Director of International Partnerships and Networks, the post provides strategic support for the Deputy Vice-Chancellor External Engagement and Assistant Vice-Principal International.

This post-holder will influence and shape the University’s long-term internationalisation activities – including engagement within international networks and with priority partners, ensuring that the institutional international ambitions, Operational Plan and KPI’s are delivered to target. The post is integral to achieving the University’s objective of extending its global reach and cementing its reputation as one of the world’s finest research-intensive institutions.

The purpose is to work with senior colleagues across the University and to lead management of key strategic international initiatives. This includes identifying and promoting trends across the sector, analysing opportunities and risks in international policy and activities, managing the effective distribution of internal funding and providing leadership of all international network activity.

You will inform and shape the University’s International Strategy Delivery Board. You will also provide strategic advice to colleagues, including the Deans for Global Engagement and College International Deans, and offer expert input into projects and initiatives at senior level.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Provide strategic input and high-level project management support for the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, External Engagement and Director of International Partnerships and Networks to ensure the delivery and monitoring of the University’s International priorities; tracking Higher Education trends, identifying and analysing key development opportunities, undertaking due diligence and highlighting sector best practice to ensure Glasgow is competitively placed to achieve its ambitious goals and KPI’s.

2. A) Responsible for the operational delivery and provision of strategic support for the University’s engagement with international partnership networks, ensuring services and resources are aligned to the University’s ambitions.

B) Make significant contributions to the strategic development of international partnerships at institutional/college/school level through influencing joint strategy development and leading significant partnership initiatives.

C) Responsible for ensuring that, operationally, Glasgow contributes to and benefits fully from, our associate membership of the CIVIS European University Alliance.

D) Establish and maintain strong connections with key players internally and externally to support these relationships, including government funding bodies, and provide regular updates on their focus and scope to senior colleagues.

3. A) Provide high-level strategic advice to colleagues at all levels of seniority (particularly Vice-Principals and Deans) on partnership development, ensuring best practice is shared, due diligence is undertaken and that the projects are strategically aligned with the University’s international objectives and priorities as outlined in the institutional strategy.

B) Work strategically and dynamically with Heads of Service including: across teams in External Relations, Academic Collaborations Office, Senate Office, Research and Innovation Services, and People & Organisational Development to provide guidance and support for significant international initiatives.

4. A) In conjunction with the Deputy Vice Chancellor for External Engagement, the Assistant Vice Principal International, the Director of International Partnerships and Networks, Deans for Global Engagement, College International Deans and Service Directors, ensure institutional alignment with best practice internationalisation policies, processes and requirements such as due diligence, security and risk, and responding to global events. Organise and analyse information from relevant sector bodies, competitors and benchmarking sources.

B) Future-proof performance sustainability within a growing and increasingly demanding environment. This will involve regular reporting on potential changes to the internal operating models.

5. A) With senior colleagues, develop a programme of externally-facing events and engagement opportunities with partners to enhance reputation at local, national and international levels. Lead on delivering impactful incoming visits from high-profile international delegations.  2025/26 will have a particular focus on the University’s 575 anniversary.

B) Lead and deliver an annual programme of webinars with international partners to showcase UofG’s research strengths to an external audience. Develop a similar annual programme of information sessions for an internal audience.

6. Engage with the Communications and Marketing team to co-design international branding campaigns, lead on content for the University’s flagship externally-facing newsletter for international partners, ensure that international events are appropriately designed and branded to reinforce the reputation of the university, contribute to internal communications channels for university-wide staff information bulletins, and manage a suite of internationalisation web pages.

7. Work in partnership with Deputy Vice Chancellor External Engagement, Assistant Vice Principal International, and Director of International Partnerships and Networks to influence and oversee the effective management of committees and working groups central to internationalisation; researching and producing reports and presentations, and ensuring progress against key strategic objectives is achieved and recorded. This will include the International Strategic Development Board, Regional Working Groups and Network Management Groups.

8. Act as institutional contact for key external organisations , including drafting institutional responses and preparing business cases and project plans in response to policy proposals, international business development opportunities. Represent the University on sector-specific professional groups, forums and committees.

9. A) On a day-to-day basis, manage a team of staff responsible for assisting in ensuring the University’s Global Strategy and Operational Plans are delivered to target and, where necessary, recommend structural changes.

B) Manage six operational budgets (totalling £715,000), ensuring the funds are spent to maximum effect, and that appropriate reporting is completed.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential:

A1 Extensive knowledge of international affairs gained from working at a senior level in either the public/NGO or higher education sectors.

A2 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.

Desirable:

B1 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.

B2 Knowledge of UK government policy in the context of internationalisation of higher education and international trade.

B3 Knowledge of institutional and College strategic priorities, alongside in-depth knowledge of University’s degree programmes and research strengths.

Skills

Essential:

C1 Strong interpersonal skills including communications, professional authority and credibility.

C2 High level negotiation, with the ability to positively influencing decision making, and build relationship at all levels of seniority both within the University and across our partnership network.

C3 Proven track record of both financial and staff management, including management of results driven teams.

C4 Outstanding report writing/copywriting skills.

C5 Excellent presentation/communication skills.

C6 Cultural sensitivity, and high levels of diplomacy.

C7 Excellent organisational ability and able to balance competing priorities.

C8 Strong analytical/business planning skills.

C9 High levels of motivation and resilience.

Desirable:

D1 PR/communication skills and knowledge to promote the goals of the University to internal and external audiences.

Experience

Essential:

E1 Significant experience of working at a senior level in international policy, affairs or partnership.

E2 Substantial experience of international cross-cultural business development and high-level negotiation.

E3 Proven Experience of high-level networking to build creative and mutually beneficial relationships, and positively impact on both strategic and tactical business development.

E4 Experience of effective budget / financial management

E5 Proven Experience managing a high performing team.

Desirable:

F1 Significant demonstrable experience of working in the international higher education sector.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 9, £59,966 - £67,468 per annum.

This post is full time (35 hours per week) and fixed term.  This post is to cover maternity leave for up to 12 months or until the substantive postholder returns.

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:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension , benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 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.jobs.gla.ac.uk/benefits-salary-and-flexible-working for more information.

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Closing Date:  28 September 2025