Job Description

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 14 June 2026

Newcastle University is a world-class, research-intensive institution with a strong civic mission and a growing global footprint. As an internationally connected university, we are committed to addressing global challenges through outstanding research, education and meaningful partnerships.

We are now seeking an exceptional and forward-thinking leader to take on the role of Director of Newcastle Global, a pivotal position shaping our international strategy, partnerships and growth.

Reporting to the Director of Marketing, Global Recruitment and Admissions, and working in close partnership with the Pro Vice Chancellor (Global), you will lead Newcastle Global, previously known as the International Office, a diverse team of around 60 colleagues.

This is a high-profile leadership role with responsibility for delivering the University’s global ambitions across international recruitment, transnational education, global partnerships and mobility. You will play a critical role in strengthening our global reputation, expanding our international networks, and identifying opportunities for sustainable growth in an increasingly complex and competitive global environment.

As Director of Newcastle Global, you will provide strategic leadership for the University’s international activity, shaping and delivering a coherent global strategy aligned with institutional priorities. Build and lead a high-performing, internationally distributed team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability and innovation. Develop and manage a portfolio of high-value global partnerships with universities, governments, sponsors and sector organisations. Drive international recruitment and market growth through insight-led strategy, identifying emerging opportunities and mitigating risk. Lead the development of transnational education initiatives, global campuses and student and staff mobility programmes.

You will be a strategic and credible leader with experience operating at a senior level in a complex, international environment. You will bring a strong track record of leading international strategy, partnerships and growth within a large, complex organisation. Experience of building and managing high-value partnerships across global markets, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders. A deep understanding of global trends, geopolitics and market dynamics, with the ability to translate insight into actionable strategy. Exceptional leadership and communication skills, with the ability to inspire teams and operate effectively at Executive and Board level and a collaborative, outward-facing approach, with the confidence to represent the organisation on an international stage.

Experience within higher education is beneficial but not essential; we welcome applications from candidates with transferable experience from other global, partnership-driven sectors.

This is a rare opportunity to shape the global future of a leading UK university at a time of significant change and opportunity. You will join a collaborative and ambitious leadership team, working at the heart of an institution committed to making a difference locally and globally.

The role requires regular international travel.

For an informal discussion please reach out to Nicola Rawlins, Director of Marketing, Global Recruitment and Admissions. Nicola.rawlins@newcastle.ac.uk

Reports to: Director of Marketing, Global Recruitment and Admissions

Works closely with: Pro‑Vice‑Chancellor (Global), Executive Board, Faculties, Global Deans

The Role

Newcastle University is a world‑class, civic university with a strong global mission. We are an internationally networked and diverse community, committed to addressing global challenges through excellent research, education and partnership.

As Director of Newcastle Global, you will provide strategic leadership for Newcastle Global, a team of c.60 colleagues based in Newcastle and internationally, and play a key role within the Marketing, Global Recruitment and Admissions (MGRA) Executive.

Working in close partnership with the Pro‑Vice‑Chancellor (Global) and the Newcastle Global Senior Management Team, you will lead the delivery of the University’s global strategy through international recruitment, transnational education, global partnerships and international mobility. You will strengthen global networks, enhance institutional reputation and influence, and drive sustainable growth by identifying strategic opportunities, emerging markets and sector trends, working closely with our international campuses and partners.

This is a highly visible leadership role with significant responsibility for shaping the University’s global position, performance and partnerships. The role holder will be willing and able to travel internationally on a regular basis.

Key Accountabilities

Strategy, Leadership and Governance

• Contribute to the development, implementation and continuous review of the University’s global strategy.
• Provide strategic leadership to Newcastle Global, setting clear direction, priorities and expectations aligned with institutional objectives, while proactively anticipating and responding to changes in the global higher education environment, including policy, regulation, geopolitics, technology and demographic trends.
• Ensure robust governance, due diligence and risk management across global activity, partnerships and initiatives.
• Produce high-quality position papers, analysis and reports to support informed decision-making at Executive and Board level.

Global Partnerships, Networks and Reputation

• Develop and maintain a high value global partnership portfolio aligned with institutional priorities.
• Lead and manage strategic institutional partnerships with universities, governments, sponsors and international organisations.
• Strengthen the University’s global profile and influence through active engagement in international networks, alliances and consortia, representing Newcastle University in senior-level external forums and policy dialogues.
• Support the University’s positioning in global rankings, benchmarking and international reputation surveys.
• Lead strategic initiatives to enhance institutional visibility and reputation in priority regions.

International Recruitment, Markets and Growth

• Work collaboratively with the Head of International Student Recruitment and MGRA colleagues to deliver a coherent, integrated and effective international recruitment strategy.
• Lead long-term global market positioning strategies to protect and grow market share in a highly competitive environment.
• Provide expert advice to University leadership on geopolitical, economic and demographic trends impacting recruitment, with proactive risk mitigation and opportunity identification.
• Ensure robust competitor analysis and market intelligence to inform pricing, programme portfolio development and recruitment strategy, providing strategic insight and advice on tuition fee setting and market positioning.
• Support student number planning, forecasting and international student financial support initiatives.

Transnational Education, Campuses and Mobility

• Lead the strategic development of the University’s transnational education portfolio.
• Contribute to the development, performance and governance of overseas campuses and delivery models.
• Support student mobility partnerships to ensure high-quality, sustainable exchange and study abroad opportunities.
• Promote and support international staff mobility, including academic exchanges, visiting scholars and professional development opportunities.

Financial Management and Performance

• Lead the development and management of Newcastle Global budgets, ensuring effective resource allocation and demonstrable return on investment.
• Embed a strong performance culture with clear targets, KPIs, SLAs and accountability at team and individual level.
• Champion a data driven approach to recruitment, partnerships and global engagement activity.

Internal and External Partnerships

• Build and lead a cohesive network of internal partnerships across Faculties, Marketing, Admissions, Academic Services and senior academic leaders to align international strategy with programme development, recruitment priorities and institutional objectives.
• Work collaboratively with academic and professional service stakeholders to translate market intelligence and competitor analysis into coordinated actions on portfolio development, pricing, and global market positioning.
• Establish and maintain strong strategic relationships with key external partners, including international universities, pathway providers, agents, sponsors, government bodies and sector organisations, to enhance the University’s global reach and reputation.
• Lead the negotiation and management of complex partnership agreements, ensuring alignment with institutional strategy, regulatory requirements and long-term sustainability.
• Represent the University in international partnership forums, strengthening influence within global networks while using market intelligence and competitor insight to inform partnership priorities, targeting high-growth markets and aligning activity with global trends and strategic opportunities.
• Monitor and evaluate the performance and impact of international partnerships, ensuring continuous improvement, value for money, and contribution to the University’s strategic and financial goals.

The Director of Newcastle Global is a key member of University committees, including (but not limited to):

• University Global Committee
• Global Strategy Implementation Group
• International Recruitment and Admissions Committee

Person Specification

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Significant leadership experience in international higher education, global engagement or a related field within a large or complex organisation.
• Extensive knowledge of international student recruitment, global marketing, partnerships and internationalisation strategy.
• Proven experience of developing, implementing and delivering complex strategies across multiple markets and geographies.
• Demonstrable experience in establishing, governing and managing high‑value international partnerships and networks.
• Strong understanding of transnational education models, overseas delivery and international campus operations.
• Experience of senior‑level engagement with governments, embassies, funders and international agencies.
• Highly developed communication skills, with the ability to influence and advise senior leaders and external stakeholders.
• Strong financial acumen, including managing significant budgets and assessing return on investment.
• Extensive experience of working across cultures with high levels of intercultural awareness and sensitivity.

Attributes and Behaviour (considered during assessment and interview)

• Highly effective communicator, capable of influencing at the most senior levels internally and externally.

• Confident, collegiate leader able to earn respect and trust across academic and professional communities.

• Strategic, intellectually curious and analytically rigorous, with strong judgement and credibility.

Thinking strategically:

• Has the ability to see the "big picture", to think strategically and to manage complex problems and issues.

Embracing change:

• Recognises the need for change and is forward looking. Promotes the benefits of change to others and regularly comes up with new ideas. Has the willingness to adopt new ways of working and to make improvements.

• Resilient and adaptive, comfortable managing ambiguity and competing priorities in a global institution.

Team-working:

• Works collaboratively with others, plays a positive role in teams and establishes and grows relationships across the organisation where different skills, expertise and opinions are valued.

Desirable

• Experience contributing to institutional reputation management, global rankings and benchmarking exercises.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent professional experience with senior leadership experience in a similar role showing evidence of continued professional development

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a Gold Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.

Requisition ID: 29322