Head of International External Engagement

Salary: Full time starting salary is normally in the range £46,735 to £55,755 with potential progression once in post to £62,728

Background

The Head of International Employer Engagement will be responsible for developing employability initiatives for international students and recent graduates, developing partnerships with employers, alumni and other external organisations/bodies to boost international students’ graduate prospects both in the UK, and as returning graduates to their home countries. The post holder will be part of Careers Network’s External Engagement Management Team, and will collaborate closely with Business School and Dubai Careers, Development and Alumni Relations, and Student Recruitment teams to lead and manage the implementation of projects that enhance international employability.

Role summary

The ideal candidate will be highly motivated and understanding of the needs of international students and international employers. Able to demonstrate experience of strategic relationship building, collaborative working, excellent stakeholder management skills, and the ability to create external partnerships and alliances.

The role will involve international travel, including to Dubai, China and India 2030. This post plays a central role in delivering the employability strategy and directly supporting the University to achieve our top 50 global ambition.

Main Duties

Strategic Project development and delivery

• Contribute to the development and implementation of the University’s international and postgraduate employability strategy, focussing specifically on employer engagement, in-country employability initiatives for returners, and the transition into the UK labour market. 
• Proactively identify and maximise opportunities for enhancing the international student employability, positively impacting both experience and outcomes of our international students and alumni.
• Provide leadership of projects, and relationship management across key international employability initiatives, with a focus initially on China and India.
• Build employer connections and partnerships in key markets, identified by partnering with Birmingham Global, International Student Recruitment, and the Development and Alumni Relations Office.
• Partner with key stakeholders across the institution to develop and implement enhancements to existing employability activity, tailored for international prospective students, current students and recent graduates.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

• Educated to Degree level (or equivalent qualifications) plus relevant practical experience. Where no equivalent qualification is held, significant practical relevant experience and expertise in a series of progressively more demanding roles will be required.
• Substantial experience in international relationship building and collaborative working, with excellent stakeholder management skills and the ability to create external partnerships and alliances.
• Demonstrates sensitivity to wider political and organisational priorities beyond their own context, and understands the global and multi-cultural context of the University; able to operate in different countries and regions with a culturally diverse student and alumni population.
• Demonstrates understanding of the factors impacting upon HE Institutions in relation to international student recruitment, postgraduate recruitment, alumni relations, and student employability.

Informal enquiries to Drew Linforth via email: a.h.t.linforth@bham.ac.uk

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the 'Apply' button above.

Valuing excellence, sustaining investment
We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working.

Closes: 27th April 2025

Advert information