Executive Director of Education

Are you looking for an exciting and challenging role within an inspiring, world-leading organisation? Do you want to contribute to our mission to create a more sustainable economy?

The University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) is a globally influential institute working to activate leadership and transform economies for people, nature and climate.

Our Senior Leadership Team, led by our CEO and Director, sets the Institute's impact strategy across Foresight, Education Convening and Innovation activities globally and oversees all activities undertaken from our offices in Cambridge, Brussels and Cape Town.

You will form part of our Senior Leadership Team, holding responsibility for the quality, impact generation and financial performance of our Education portfolio ¿ which includes accredited post-graduate courses, digital/online programmes and Executive Education. Our Education programmes catalyse and support sustainability leadership in organisations nationally and internationally, working across core audiences of business, government and finance.

As the Executive Director, Education you will:

• Be responsible for leading and managing CISL's Education offer, which includes:

-Creating, designing and delivering reputation-enhancing programmes that create influence and impact

-Managing and, as appropriate, conducting and disseminating research, securing funding as required

-Generating new business and building growth

-Establishing and maintaining key relationships with a range of senior audiences and international institutions

• Be an active member of the Institute's leadership team, responsible for developing CISL's overall strategy and business plan and for ensuring that all of the Institute's activities are aligned with this plan.
• Routinely work with high-level executives including international CEOs, Government Ministers, Board members and senior executives, and senior functional specialists (including strategy, finance, marketing, and sustainability) to deliver CISL's work. The Executive Director also works with senior officers and academics of the University, and with research partners globally.

Strong candidates for the role will have experience working in fields related to sustainable development, and awareness of the academic, leadership and executive contexts in which CISL operates. They will have previous experience operating at an executive level within a business-facing organisation, including active leadership, programme delivery, resource planning and financial management for large teams. Experience in developing and leading high-impact, high-quality education programmes for individuals including senior executives will be key for this role. They will have the ability to formulate education and international strategies, and to lead key projects to successful outcomes, utilising strong business skills. Entrepreneurial skills with the vision and ability to translate opportunities for high sustainability impact into commercially viable business will be important, alongside commitment to the values that underpin CISL's work. Direct experience and familiarity with CISL's activities and strategy for impact is desirable.

This is a full-time position; however, we are open to considering part-time or compressed working arrangements. Our approach to flexible working values both face- to-face engagement and personal freedom and reflects contemporary practices. It is expected that employees will be present in the office for a minimum of two days per week. You and your manager will work together to tailor an arrangement that best suits your preferences and our business needs.

Interviews will be held in early May 2025.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

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