Executive Divisional Director of External Engagement and Global

External Engagement and Global

The University of Exeter is one of the world’s best. It is a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities, having ranked in the top 150 universities in the world and the top 15 UK universities in prestigious global and national league tables.

The University has a proud history and has grown from its roots in the South-West of England to be a truly inclusive and diverse global university. With a community of around 30,000 students from over 150 countries, and 6,400 staff across four campuses in Devon and Cornwall, as well as alumni, academics and global university partners that bring the world to Exeter and take Exeter to the world.

Launched in October 2021, our new Strategy 2030 aims to use our outstanding education, research and global connections to create a sustainable, healthy and socially just future. Our vision is to be a globally-networked university, offering outstanding education and research opportunities for our communities, and creating strong global partnerships to tackle the world’s biggest challenges and to increase the diversity of our student population.

It is in this context that we are now seeking an Executive Divisional Director of External Engagement and Global (EEG). The incoming Executive Director will have strategic leadership and responsibility for the University’s marketing, reputation, communications, global partnerships, student recruitment and fundraising activities. 

A member of the University Executive Board (UEB), reporting to the Registrar and Secretary, and working closely with the Vice-Chancellor and with colleagues across the institution, the Executive Divisional Director, EEG is integral to the continued success of the University. The Director will enhance existing ambitions and strategies within the portfolio whilst continuing to build and shape the Division to meet the University’s evolving needs. The role requires strategic thinking, agility, and the ability to proactively develop and implement marketing and communications strategies and seek out opportunities to enhance Exeter’s reputation in the UK and across the world, as well as harness and react to more immediate needs as they arise.

Candidates will be passionate about the University’s mission and ambitions. They will offer a successful track record of leading strategic development, implementation and management of relevant portfolios of activity in comparably complex contexts. Previous experience of leading large and diverse teams will be important. They will embody Exeter’s values of discovery, respect, excellence, inclusion and community, and will ensure these are articulated in all University communications.

An executive search exercise is being undertaken by Perrett Laver who will support the University in identifying the widest possible field of qualified candidates and assist in their assessment against the requirements for the role.

The University of Exeter is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and through this appointment process, it is the University’s clearly stated aim to develop candidate pools that include applicants from all backgrounds and communities.  The University particularly welcomes applications from women, people from black and minority ethnic communities, the LGBT+ community and from disabled people. The University is open to flexible working opportunities.

For details of the appointment, including further information about the job description, person specification and how to apply, please visit https://candidates.perrettlaver.com/vacancies/ quoting reference 6075. For informal inquiries please contact Lucy Platts on [email protected] or +44 (0)20 7340 6279.

The closing date for applications is Monday 17th October at 23:59 BST.