Global Partnerships Manager (Europe) and Global Partnerships Manager (North America) - External[...]

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £36,636 to £46,049 with potential progression once in post to £48,822

Grade: 7

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to May 2027

Closing date: 11th March 2026

This role is also open as an internal secondment opportunity which would need to be agreed by your current line manager. UK and International travel may be required for this role.

We are advertising for 2 x Global Partnerships Manager roles. One with a primary focus on Europe and one with a primary focus on North America. Please indicate the role(s) you wish to apply for in your application.

Our offer to you:

• People are at the heart of what we are and do.
• The University of Birmingham is proud to have been a part of the City of Birmingham and the wider region for over 100 years, and we are equally proud to be recognised as a leading global university.
• We want to attract talented people from across the city and beyond, support them to succeed, and celebrate their success.
• We are committed to helping the people who work here to develop through our sector‑leading Birmingham Professional programme which provides all professional services staff with development opportunities and the encouragement to reach their full potential.
• With almost 5,000 professional services jobs in a wide‑range of functions in Edgbaston and in our campus in Dubai, there are plenty of opportunities for you to be able to develop your career at the University.
• We believe there is no such thing as a typical member of staff and that diversity is a source of strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation, and debate.
• We warmly welcome people from all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is at the heart of who and what we are, and how we work.
• Supporting our people to achieve a healthy work/life balance is important both to our employees and to the success of the University and, depending on the role, we offer a variety of flexible working arrangements.
• In addition, you will receive a generous package of benefits including 40 days paid holiday a year, one paid day a year for volunteering, occupational sick pay, and a pension scheme.
• We also have three high quality subsidised day nurseries.
• The University is situated in leafy Edgbaston and there are excellent transport links to our beautiful campus, including main bus routes and a train station on site.

Background:

This role is based in the International Team within External Relations, which directly contributes to the delivery of the University’s International Strategy. The International Team comprises international student recruitment and international partnerships and is led by the Deputy Director of External Relations. International partnerships are integral in delivering our global research and education and Global Top 50 reputation priorities.

Role Summary:

We are recruiting for two Global Partnership Manager maternity cover roles. One role will focus on North America, and the other on Europe. Please indicate in your application whether you have a preference for one region or would like to be considered for both roles. The role will contribute to the delivery of the University’s International Strategy through supporting the development of international partnerships and collaborative opportunities for the University.

Main duties:

• Contribute to the University’s International Strategy by evaluating research, reputation and education opportunities and progressing initiatives for partnership development (both in the UK and overseas) that will enhance the University’s global reputation and profile and realise strategic objectives.
• Develop a detailed understanding of the opportunities and initiatives that support mutually beneficial collaboration in defined regions, in order to be able to advise academic colleagues in Colleges and other professional service divisions and operationalise our International Strategy.
• Work collaboratively with internal and external colleagues to identify potential funding streams.
• Disseminate information and provide advice and guidance on best practice in partnership development.
• Organise and lead workshops, seminars and training sessions to enhance knowledge and understanding of partnership development with prioritised institutions.
• Provide advice and guidance to Colleges on the development of new and existing schemes that promote the development of sustainable partnerships.
• Establishing and maintaining an active network of contacts across the University to enable a detailed understanding of how College priorities and international ambitions align with the University’s International Strategy.
• Develop and deliver an effective communications plan for areas of responsibility, sharing information effectively online and through direct communications both internally and externally.
• Evaluating external data sources to identify and respond to potential partnership opportunities that align with the International Strategy, disseminating this information as appropriate.
• In consultation with the relevant Head of Global Partnerships, provide detailed market background information and an assessment of opportunities.
• Assessing proposals for international engagement and approaches from potential partners, and providing market intelligence to aid decision making on new initiatives.
• Manage programmes of incoming overseas delegations, events or other activities involving partnerships.
• Organise and undertake overseas travel in support of partnership development, usually accompanying academic colleagues.
• Provide high level project management support for defined projects and initiatives, which may include research and education partnerships.
• Act as the principal contact point for identified partners, collaborating academics and professional services colleagues engaged in the development of joint initiatives.
• Manage defined budgets effectively; preparing and submitting budgets for consideration, undertaking accurate forecasting, reconciliation and reporting as required.
• Promote equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.
• Support the University’s sustainability agenda through resource efficient working.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience:

• Qualified to degree level or equivalent plus practical managerial experience or significant relevant experience demonstrated through increasingly more demanding roles evidencing the experience necessary for this role.
• Knowledge of the international higher education sector and current opportunities and challenges.
• Working knowledge of partnership development and evidenced ability to formulate operational plans that deliver on strategic objectives.
• Evidence of literacy and numeracy, with the ability to write clearly, and to produce and analyse information and data.
• Excellent people‑management skills.
• Excellent budgetary management skills and experience.
• Highly proficient IT skills, including the MS Office and website editing software.
• Excellent interpersonal, intercultural, communication, relationship building and influencing skills with the ability to deal confidently with a range of internal and external stakeholders/contacts and build effective and trust‑based relations.
• Excellent organisational, project management, problem solving and multi‑tasking skills with a methodical approach to work and the ability to prioritise workloads in order to meet deadlines.
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly.

Core Competencies / transferable Skills:

• Planning and organising
• Problem solving and decision making
• Organisational understanding
• Relationships and communication

Informal enquiries to Erica Arthur, email: e.d.arthur@bham.ac.uk