Director of Sector Engagement (London)

Job Opportunity: Director of Sector Engagement at UPP

UPP, the leading partner to UK universities for on-campus accommodation infrastructure, is seeking a Director of Sector Engagement to lead our external engagement with the UK higher education sector and our charitable Foundation.

About UPP: UPP is the UK’s leading provider of on-campus residential accommodation infrastructure, operating over 35,000 rooms in partnership with 15 world-leading universities across the UK. We have a proud history of innovation in campus accommodation, investing over £3.5bn over the last three decades, working with renowned architects to build or redevelop sustainable student accommodation meeting Passivhaus, BREEAM, and WELL standards.

Role Overview: The Director of Sector Engagement plays a pivotal role in enhancing UPP’s reputation, building strategic relationships, and identifying partnership opportunities. The role involves leading UPP’s engagement strategy, developing and maintaining high-level relationships with UK universities, sector bodies, and thought leaders. It also includes translating sector trends and stakeholder priorities into actionable insights for the business. Additionally, the Director will lead the UPP Foundation, ensuring it delivers impactful initiatives aligned with sector needs and UPP’s values, including commissioning research and sector-wide projects to support thought leadership and sector success.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strengthen external engagement with the higher education sector.
• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with universities and sector bodies.
• Lead the UPP Foundation’s initiatives and research activities.
• Support UPP’s strategic decision-making by integrating sector insights.

Candidate Profile: The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in stakeholder engagement, external affairs, or university strategy development, with strong knowledge of the UK higher education sector. Experience in leading charitable, policy, or public engagement initiatives is essential. The candidate should possess the confidence to build high-level relationships, represent organizations publicly, and ensure sector insights inform business strategy, development, and innovation. A strategic thinker, highly motivated, collaborative, and passionate about higher education will excel in this role.

Compensation and Benefits: The role offers a competitive salary, a generous performance bonus, and a comprehensive benefits package including 29 days holiday plus bank holidays, private healthcare, pension, enhanced family leave, life assurance, training, two paid volunteering or personal development days, and a cycle-to-work scheme. UPP is an inclusive employer with a hybrid working policy based in London, supporting working from home around two days a week. Regular travel across the UK to university locations is expected.

Application Process: For more information, please view the candidate brochure. To apply, send your CV and cover letter to our retained advisors, James Gregory and Ben Duffill, at MRG. For a confidential discussion, contact them directly.

UPP values diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all backgrounds. Please inform us of any adjustments needed during the recruitment process to support your application and ensure a positive experience at work.

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