Faculty International Development Manager (Durham Business School) in North East

We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities, neurodiversity and long-term health conditions, and we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the recruitment and interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, adjustments will be made to support people within their role. If you are unable to complete your application via our recruitment system or would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments to support you in the application process, please get in touch with us on e.recruitment@durham.ac.uk.

The Faculty International Development Manager will play a central role in supporting the delivery of Durham University Business School’s internationalisation strategy and associated key performance indicators, working closely with academic and professional services colleagues across the School and University. The principal focus of the role will be the identification, development, approval, launch and ongoing performance management of high-quality international partnerships, with particular emphasis on transnational education (TNE) arrangements that support sustainable student recruitment, portfolio development and the School’s global positioning.

Reporting to the Deputy Head of Partnerships (TNE) in the International Office and working in partnership with the Associate Dean (Internationalisation), departmental international leads, the Senior International Experiences & Partnerships Manager within DUBS and other key stakeholders, the postholder will contribute to the development and implementation of international initiatives and ensure effective coordination and delivery of agreed priorities. Initial priorities will focus on converting a strategically aligned pipeline of TNE opportunities, including articulation, progression and other collaborative education models; supporting the diversification of international recruitment; and ensuring that agreed partnership milestones and KPIs are delivered.

Durham University Business School comprises the Departments of Accounting, Economics, Finance, and Management and Marketing, together with Durham EDGE. The School delivers undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral, executive and professional education, and undertakes internationally recognised research and engagement.

The International Office is responsible for:

• The recruitment of international students to all areas of the university to meet institutional targets.
• The delivery of student marketing to support home and international recruitment across the University at all levels of study.
• Supporting and managing the developing of international partnerships to raise the University’s global profile and to support academic colleagues in developing international links and collaborations.
• Managing the university’s student mobility programmes (Erasmus+ and other exchange partnerships) to meet the University’s student mobility targets.

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University:

• You’ll receive 30 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year.
• The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
• We offer a generous pension scheme, and as a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have ample parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
• You can also take advantage of our cost-effective and environmentally friendly Tusker Car Benefit Scheme, allowing you to lease a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle with savings on tax and National Insurance.
• We have a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University.
• All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
• We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
• Our family‑friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector.
• We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community.
• You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions.
• Various salary sacrifice schemes are also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.
• If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs, and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools.
• If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest‑free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University, equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do.

What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification:

• Educated to degree level (or equivalent relevant professional experience).
• Professional practitioner with knowledge and expertise of developing and delivering international higher education partnerships, including stakeholder engagement and relationship management with demonstrable expertise in TNE, articulation, progression or other collaborative programme models.
• Experience of implementing policies and procedures and supporting change and service improvements within higher education or a comparable regulated environment.
• Experience of working with and providing specialist advice and guidance to senior academic and Professional Services colleagues and external partners across different national, cultural and organisational contexts.
• Experience of participating in internal or external networks to share and discuss good practice, develop strong and productive working relationships and to positively influence the University’s reputation.
• A proven record of translating strategy into operational plans, measurable deliverables and successful outcomes against agreed KPIs.
• Experience of developing partnerships, preparing business cases, undertaking institutional due diligence, supporting negotiations, and progressing proposals through academic and institutional governance and using data to assess opportunities, manage risk and inform evidence‑based decisions.

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge:

• Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to influence, negotiate and build trusted relationships with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including the effective use of Microsoft 365, data dashboards and other tools for pipeline, relationship and performance management.
• Committed to continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition.
• Knowledge and experience of compliance with the academic, regulatory, financial and quality‑assurance considerations relevant to international partnerships and/or TNE.
• Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions, manage a complex workload with multiple deadlines, exercise sound judgement, solve problems and maintain momentum in a dynamic international environment, while collaborating effectively across teams and organisational structures.
• Ability to contribute to planning at an operational level with strong programme and project‑management skills, and the ability to manage a complex portfolio of partnership opportunities, competing priorities and firm deadlines.
• Ability and willingness to undertake occasional international travel, sometimes at short notice and outside standard working hours, subject to University policies and any agreed reasonable adjustments.
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and the ability to work effectively and respectfully across cultures and organisational boundaries.
• Experience of developing TNE partnerships in one or more of the Business School’s priority international markets.
• Experience of working with business schools or professionally oriented postgraduate and executive education portfolios.
• Familiarity with overseas regulatory and approval environments relevant to international education partnerships.

Any other reasonable duties.