Candidate brief for the position of: Director of Academic Business Development University of Worldwide May 2021

Background Information The The University of London is one of the oldest, largest and most diverse universities in the UK. Established by Royal Charter in 1836, the University is recognised globally as a world leader in higher education and has long pioneered change in the sector.

Since its foundation, the University of London has built a distinctive approach to learning, teaching and research. The University’s location, including the magnificent Art Deco Senate House on in the heart of and in proximity to world-leading libraries, cultural institutions and entrepreneurial businesses, enhances its mission as an innovative centre of learning designed to serve local, national and global communities. The University has the UK’s largest global distance learning operation, with close to 50,000 students on over 100 programmes. The University’s School of Advanced Study leads the national community of humanities researchers, serving to demonstrate the value of the arts and humanities in the contemporary world and providing critical intellectual infrastructure for the advancement of knowledge. Now is a time of opportunity and change for the University, a time when we are ready to harness the strengths of our history and to define our future – a future that looks forward with optimism to our 200th anniversary. Under the leadership of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Wendy Thomson, we are rearticulating our mission, sharpening our vision and shaping a strategy that will redefine the modern university now, reimagining research and education for a diverse and complex world. The University’s academic mission lies at the heart of this new strategy. Our fundamental vision is to connect worlds – the worlds inside and outside Universities, and worlds separated by differing educational needs and differing levels of access to learning opportunities and research resources. The University’s mission is to develop a local, national and global intellectual infrastructure that enables innovative practice and thinking designed to provide transformative educational and research opportunities.

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The Structure The University of London is a unique federation of 17 self-governing The 17 Member Institutions of Member Institutions, each of which has a world-class reputation in its the University are: own right. Birkbeck, University of London City, University of London The University of London is also home to the following: The Courtauld Institute of Art • University of London Worldwide – a collaboration among Member Institutions to Goldsmiths, provide distance and flexible learning to nearly 50,000 students in 190 countries. University of London Former students include six Nobel Prize winners. Institute of Cancer Research • School of Advanced Study – a nationally recognised resource and centre of King’s College London excellence in the promotion and facilitation of research in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. It comprises eight internationally renowned research institutes and attracts large numbers of subject specialists globally. It has four nationally and London School of Economics internationally recognised specialist research libraries. and Political Science • University of London Institute in Paris – a small and specialised institution with a London School of Hygiene long-standing academic partnership with Queen Mary University of London, the & Tropical Medicine Institute provides research-led teaching from experts in their field. Queen Mary University • Senate House Library – with its unique research collections in the Arts and of London Humanities, considered by some to be the largest and best in the world, attracting scholars from over 1,000 institutions worldwide.

Royal Central School of Speech and Drama The University has a distinctive academic mission: Royal Holloway, • To transform people’s lives through education, driven by a commitment University of London to diversity and inclusion and a belief in their power to create new ways of knowing. St. George’s, • To deliver innovative training and postgraduate education for the new world University of London of research and work. SOAS • To realise the benefits of the humanities and social sciences for society, to advocate for their importance, and to provide the intellectual infrastructure UCL to enable new discoveries. • To provide value to the Federation, leveraging the collective power of its members and enabling us all to reach new constituencies and tackle new problems. • To strengthen bonds across regional, national, cultural, economic and political boundaries.

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About the University of London Worldwide

We are one of the world’s leading providers of We will do this by focussing on three main strategic online and distance learning. We currently offer objectives of which the first is: online and flexible programmes to around 50,000 Strategic Objective 1 – Furthering our position as the UK’s students in more than 190 countries, studying on leading provider of distance learning worldwide, delivering over 100 degrees, diplomas and certificates. cutting-edge programmes to increased numbers of people We devise, develop and deliver distance and blended who can benefit most from education. learning courses in partnership with the University of Worldwide has an integral role to play in the successful London’s Member Institutions, and other organisations, pursuit of the above Strategic Objective. A proposed new to provide learners around the world with access to structure for Worldwide will focus on delivering three core affordable, high quality, career-relevant higher education. work streams that will form the basis of three Directorates, london.ac.uk/courses all headed by a Director reporting to the Chief Operating Our model means that students can either study entirely Officer: online, or else get additional face to face support through • Academic Business Development. our global network of Recognised Teaching Centres. • Online Education: Innovation, Development Ranging from Shakespeare and Machine Learning to and Delivery. Starting a Company and How to Teach Online, our short • Student Services Registry. open courses (coursera.org/london) have also attracted over 1.5 million learners. In an increasingly competitive transnational landscape, Worldwide’s future plans for growth over the next five The University’s Strategic Plan for 2020-2025 has years, will see it deliver upwards of 30 new programmes, in as its aim: partnership with the University’s Member Institutions. To enrich our academic work in the pursuit of excellence These programmes will be delivered more efficiently, with in education, research and knowledge exchange through improved technical infrastructure, more streamlined collaboration with our Member Institutions; developing business processes and a significantly improved academic academic programmes, networks and partnerships that and administrative student experience. further our federation’s goals across London, the UK and internationally.

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The Role

This is a unique opportunity at the heart of the  Identify opportunities for product diversification and the University’s 2020-2025 strategy. In the context generation of multiple income streams within new and of a fast-changing external environment, existing markets through market analysis and segmentation. driving the growth of the University’s global business in distance education is a top priority. Partnerships

The University is committed to extending its Embed a long-term, strategic partnership management global position and reputation as the UK’s approach with key partners leading provider of distance learning, and  Build long-term, value-adding relationships that exploit the responding to the growing student demand for University’s competitive position internationally and within cutting-edge programmes. the federation. You will bring your strategic understanding of the  Identify and engage with a broader range of potential international higher education market and commercial partners (e.g., OPMs and professional bodies) to increase know-how to deliver on this commitment and to ensure opportunities for delivering growth in target markets. the success of the newly created Academic Business  Develop a deep understanding of Member Institution Development Directorate. needs and adopt a tailored approach to managing Member Institutions that focuses on addressing their Key duties and responsibilities needs.

Business Development

Delivering substantial growth across new and existing markets  Develop strategic, high-level relationships with key clients in all sectors, and implement and oversee an optimal client relationship framework.  Shape and refine a commercial plan that explores potential new revenue streams, and manage, develop and motivate an experienced team to deliver profitable revenue growth.  Drive, lead, create and manage a business development pipeline through both existing networks of business and with prospective clients and partners (HE and commercial).

Market Analysis and Strategy

Building brand awareness and a distinctive reputation  Direct the development and design of customer strategies that define the University’s position in the global education marketplace.  Seek, evaluate and feed in market intelligence to the Education, Innovation and Development team to enable and accelerate the delivery of academic programmes that are in line with market and customer expectations.  Develop alliances within high profile industries and professional bodies in markets identified as strategically important and work with leadership colleagues to develop new routes to market.

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The Person The successful candidate will be an outstanding leader who can demonstrate the following:

Experience and personal qualities: Technical knowledge, skills and qualifications: • Substantial experience of developing strategic business • A strong understanding of the UK and overseas higher development plans in complex global organisations. education market. • High degree of commercial acumen with the • Proven ability to work creatively and analytically in a capability to inspire and deliver excellent knowledge-driven environment. performance within a supportive team culture. • Substantial financial literacy with the ability to • Significant experience of building effective senior read and interpret data, analyse trends and relationships across sector and geographical provide resultant insights and solutions. boundaries. • Highly developed communication skills, including • A demonstrable track record of using market public presentation and complex drafting. intelligence to identify and pursue profitable • Educated to university degree level or equivalent business opportunities. by experience or ability.

• Exceptional interpersonal skills and a high level of emotional intelligence. The Director of Academic Business Development reports Desirable: to the Chief Operating Officer. • Experience of involvement in the delivery of academic programmes. • Experience of managing large-scale public events. • Experience of working with international academic partners.

7 University of London Worldwide Directorate of Academic Business Development: new structure

Director Academic Business Development

Head of Teaching Head of Market Management under Head of Academic Centre Insight review Sales Development Management

Academic Sales & Academic Contract Service Managers x 5 Teaching Centre Development Managers x Managers x7 3 Resource under Sub- structure Academic Services rev iew under review Officer O/S Regional Academic Sales and Development Manager

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How to Apply Applications should be sent by the closing date of 22 June 2021.

In order to apply, please submit a comprehensive orientation, genetic and/or biometric data) in your CV curriculum vitae along with a covering letter (no more than and application documentation. Following this notice, two sides of A4), setting out your interest in the role and any inclusion of your Sensitive Personal Data in your CV/ details of how you match the required criteria. application documentation will be understood by us as Please provide contact details for three referees as part your express consent to process this information. Please also remember not to mention anyone’s information or of your online application. Referees will not be approached until the final stages and not without prior permission details (e.g. referees) who have not previously agreed to from candidates their inclusion. The role may be offered on a permanent or three-year, We are committed to ensuring everyone can access fixed term basis. Secondments are possible. our website and application processes. This includes people with sight loss, hearing, mobility and cognitive All candidates are also requested to complete an online impairments. Should you require access to these Personal Details Form. This will assist the University in documents in alternative formats, please contact: monitoring selection decisions to assess whether [email protected] equality of opportunity is being achieved, but is not mandatory. Safeguarding Information collated from the forms will not be used as University of London is committed to safeguarding and part of the selection process and will be treated as promoting the welfare of its staff and older people. They strictly confidential. expect all staff to be aware of their responsibilities to protect staff and residents from abuse or harm. Please submit your application to: [email protected] Queries Further information can be found here: For a confidential conversation about this opportunity, https://www.dixonwalter.co.uk/opportunities/director- please contact Kiersten Avery, our recruitment partner from of-academic-bd/ Dixon Walter Ltd. on [email protected] or Personal data +44 (0) 7881 344 559.

In line with GDPR, we ask that you do NOT send us any Further information information that can identify children or any of your Sensitive Personal Data (racial or ethnic origin, political Applications close midnight 22 June 2021. Dixon Walter interviews will be held on 30 June or 1/7/8 opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, trade union July. membership, data concerning health or sex life and sexual Interviews will be held late July TBC.

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University of London Worldwide Stewart House 32 Russell Square London WC1B 5DN

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