International Partnerships Manager

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

The Role and Department 

The International Office is responsible for:

• The recruitment of international students to all areas of the university to meet institutional targets
• Supporting and managing the development 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 to meet the University’s student mobility targets

As a member of the International Partnerships and Relations Team, the post holder manages the development of International Partnerships and Networks within the Europe region to deliver Education and/or Research programmes with partners across Europe.

Alongside colleagues in the Global Division, the postholder is responsible for the delivery of key areas of the Europe Strategy, supporting engagement with key partners (HEIs, research organisations, NGOs, scholarship bodies, government departments, embassies). Recognising the fast-moving external environment, the postholder is required to horizon scan for emerging opportunities. This role requires forward planning and co-ordination to ensure appropriate engagement in visits, key meetings, external events and campaigns.

Post holder is also responsible for maintaining accurate agreement records and monitoring progress with partners. Including the negotiation of joint seedcorn funds with agreed partner universities and monitoring of return on investment.

This role requires significant joint working with Marketing and Communications (MarComms) to ensure relationships in Europe contribute to enhanced global profile. Research and Innovation Services (RIS), the Curriculum Learning and Assessment Service (CLAS), Development and Alumni Relations (DARO), the Executive Office and academic staff at all levels.

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 will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:  

• 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, 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 parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. 
• There is 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.  
• Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme. 
• On site nursery is available and children’s clubs in the summer holidays. 
• Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers). 
• The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community 
• Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.  
• A salary sacrifice scheme is also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.  
• If you are moving to Durham, we can 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. 

Durham University is committed to equality diversity, inclusion and values 

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. It’s important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI. 

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  

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   

Contact details   

For a chat about the role or any further information please contact Jemima Lloyd on [email protected] .

Further information about the role

Typical Role Requirements

• Horizon scanning, interpreting and analysing changing external circumstances to inform strategic initiatives/ projects, investments and/or service provision.
• Review provision of services and manage adjustments to service strands or project streams in response to the external environment.
• Contribute to and lead business meetings, working groups and sub-committees at departmental and operational service levels
• Responsible for managing partnership development funds for Europe, including Global Engagement Grants, Joint seedcorn funds. Responsible for record keeping, monitoring and reporting on return on investment .
• Contribute to the delivery of activities that generate external income through partnership development

Planning and Organising

• Identify and design activities to meet global engagement objectives and outcomes outlined in the Europe Strategy / Global Strategy,
• Contribute to the development of strategic and operational plans relating to international network and partnership engagement and profile development.
• Manage and monitor progress against regional plans and provide regular reports to Head of International Partnerships and Relations, PVC Global and the Global Steering Group (as required) making recommendations as appropriate.
• Plan, implement and monitor effectiveness of internal and external service delivery and monitor return on investment.
• Manage and organise inbound and outbound delegation travel including the production of detailed briefing documents for Durham contributors.

Communication/Networking/Stakeholders

• Network and engage with external and internal stakeholders to gather feedback and identify future service needs and opportunities, and to ensure excellence in service provision.
• Manage stakeholders undertaking activities, including in and outbound academic delegation travel, events management (as appropriate), direct and regular liaison with partners, events, project work and exhibitions.
• Horizon-scan for opportunities to develop innovative schemes within a changing HE environment, identifying and developing key contacts at partner institutions/organisations, wider key stakeholders and co-ordinating input from across Durham.
• Deliver briefing sessions and/or training on Global Engagement initiatives for internal and external stakeholders.
• Participate in and monitor communities of practice and partnership working internally and externally. Both within the UK, through trusted networks such as Russell Goup, UUKi, BUILA and through our global networks, Matariki, ACU, Coimbra Group.
• Internal and external relationship development and partnership working with universities, research institutes, scholarship agencies, foundations, government agencies and embassies. Networking to engage and influence future services and the University reputation.
• Develop regular communication protocols for internal and external stakeholders using appropriate media and methods.

Knowledge and Experience

• Provide specialist global HE and/or regionally specific expertise to executive members and senior colleagues using complex data and information sources.
• Maintain an awareness of current policy for University business goals such as international profile raising, transnational research and education, and provision of advice using specialist knowledge.
• Represent Durham University at education conferences and other meetings, in the UK and overseas as appropriate.
• Any other reasonable duties. 

Useful links 

If you would like further information you may find the following will help 

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 https://www.dur.ac.uk/ig/dp/privacy/pnjobapplicants/ which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.    

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

Desirable Criteria