Faculty International Development Manager (Durham Business School)

The University 
 
At Durham University we are proud of our people.  A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.   

Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.  

We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University.  Further information about the University can be found here.

Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page.

The Role and Department 

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.

Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description. 

Working at Durham  
 
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 (and likely above and beyond many employers).

•    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.

Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.

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.  We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct.  At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. 
 
We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.  If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application.  If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification  
  
When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role.  Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description.  Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.    
  
Your application should cover the following criteria:  

Essential Criteria

Qualifications/Experience

1.     Educated to degree level (or equivalent relevant professional experience).

2.     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.*

3.     Experience of implementing policies and procedures and supporting change and service improvements within higher education or a comparable regulated environment. 

4.     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.

5.     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.

6.    A proven record of translating strategy into operational plans, measurable deliverables and successful outcomes against agreed KPIs.*

7.    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

6.     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.

7.     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.

8.     Committed to continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition.

9.     Knowledge and experience of compliance with the academic, regulatory, financial and quality-assurance considerations relevant to international partnerships and/or TNE. 

10.  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.

11.  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.

12.      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.

13.      Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and the ability to work effectively and respectfully across cultures and organisational boundaries.

Desirable Criteria 

14.  Experience of developing TNE partnerships in one or more of the Business School’s priority international markets.
15.  Experience of working with business schools or professionally oriented postgraduate and executive education portfolios.
16.  Familiarity with overseas regulatory and approval environments relevant to international education partnerships.

How to Apply
    
To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria.  Please don’t forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above). 
 
While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.    
   
Submitting your application  
 
We prefer to receive applications online.   We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates. 
   
What you need to submit    
 
•    A CV: and    
•    A supporting statement or covering letter which outlines how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification. 
 

Contact details    
   
For a chat about the role or any further information please contact Fiona O'Carroll at fiona.o'carroll@durham.ac.uk 
 

Typical Role Requirements  

Service Delivery/Development

·       Contribute to equality, diversity and inclusion, and the University’s values.

·       Provide specialist advice and guidance relating to your professional area of expertise in line with the University’s policies, regulations and values.

·       Manage the delivery of International Development to a high standard and ensure that they are delivered in a customer focussed way.

·       Provide the best possible service by continually reviewing what is required from staff, students international partners and other stakeholders and contribute to ideas and service improvements that enhance the effectiveness of partnerships.

·       Provide specialist knowledge and support when interpreting and analysing complex data and information sources.

·       Look for ways to improve processes, and outputs/results across all areas of your work including partnership processes, systems and supporting documentation.

·       Identify any learning needs that should be met by Durham Business School or the International Office and design activities and arrange any training.

·       Contribute to the delivery of activities that generate external income such as the development of TNE provision.

·       Support the effective management and ongoing development of international partnerships, including maintaining relationships, supporting partnership governance processes, and ensuring effective communication and engagement with key stakeholders

Planning and Organisation

·       Contribute to the development of operational and strategic plans and service level agreements.

·       Contribute to continuous improvement of partnership-development processes, systems, templates and governance arrangements.

·       Seek feedback from staff, students and other key stakeholders so that the service is being adapted to meet customer expectations and to plan future requirements.

·      Analyse and interpret market intelligence, student recruitment data, financial projections, partner performance and stakeholder feedback to inform priorities and recommendations.

·       Meet the development needs of your stakeholders by providing training when required.

·       Manage budgets and expenditure in accordance with University requirements.

·       Maintain accurate records, documentation and reporting information relating to partnership activity to support effective governance, performance monitoring and informed decision-making

Communication/Liaison

·       Use your operational expertise to represent Durham University Business School professionally in business meetings, working groups and sub-committees with senior leaders at partner institutions, government and sector bodies, and other external stakeholders.

·       Ensure that international partners, academic departments, Professional Services teams and University colleagues receive timely and accurate information about partnership activity, responsibilities and decisions.

·       Use the best media and method to communicate with internal and external stakeholders.

·       Build productive and culturally informed relationships across priority international markets, using your networks to increase your knowledge and skills and swap information with peers.

·       Use your expertise to participate in and monitor communities of practice and partnership working, both internally and externally that strengthen market intelligence, identify opportunities and enhance the reputation of the Business School and University.

Any other reasonable duties.

   
Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Job Applicants/Potential Job Applicants - Privacy Notice which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.       

Durham University is a UKVI sponsor. Applicants who require sponsorship to work in the UK should note that not all roles are eligible. Further information on visa requirements and eligibility can be found on the UKVI website.

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