Job Purpose

Provide direction and leadership of a new international employability function within Careers, Employability and Opportunity. Develop strategies to improve the graduate outcomes of international students, establish relationships in target countries to increase employer reach and gain a better understanding of international student career motivations and destinations.

Be a key point of contact for our relationship with University of Birmingham in relation to the joint international employability project to support the career aspirations of returning graduates to China and India and positively impact student recruitment.

Main Duties

1. As part of the CEO Leadership Team: (a) devise robust strategic and operational plans to deliver against relevant institutional objectives and meet KPIs with the aim of improving student employability and job outcomes with a focus on international students; (b) deploy people and resources appropriately, with regard to service priorities.

2. Work in partnership with the Head of Employer Engagement to identify and build mutually beneficial relationships with relevant employers and lead on relationship building and partnerships in key countries and sectors. Ensure engagement strategies are aligned, coordinated and support the needs of international students and that employer views are considered in key decision making.

3. Devise and deliver a programme of activities including virtual and in-person information sessions, online services, resources and high-profile events in-country to increase the number and diversity of employers actively targeting international students and graduates. Working collaboratively across Student & Academic Services and External Relations to increase reach and impact with key stakeholders. This may include travel overseas to support the delivery of recruitment events, to support effective delivery of employability messaging to future students.

4. Lead the development of strategies to enhance the University’s understanding of international graduate destinations by improving internal data sources and where possible, external data sources. Proactively pursue service improvement, through an evidence-based approach, to achieve institutional and service KPIs. Promote this approach amongst colleagues in the interests of enhancing outcomes for international students.

5. Deploy a breadth and depth of experience, expertise and knowledge to overcome challenges and seize opportunities to improve international student outcomes. Act as a key channel of expert knowledge on international labour market trends, recruitment practice, relevant policies and international graduate destinations to support objectives for key internal stakeholders including Careers, Employability & Opportunity, External Relations and Colleges.

6. Represent Careers, Employability & Opportunity on internal governance groups and networks and participate actively as a member of external local and international networks and working groups, influencing policy and strategy inside the University and also at regional, Scottish and UK national levels including Scotland Migration Service. This will include Deputising for the Head of Careers, Employability & Opportunity.

7. Manage and support an International Employability Assistant  and dotted line management of an in-country India Project Officer shared with the University of Birmingham. This will include recruitment, induction, annual review and development and in support of a high performing function area. Manage and mitigate risks and ensure adherence to appropriate legislation.

8. Work with colleagues in External Relations to support content creation for a range of digital platforms, both in terms of employability support offered by the University of Glasgow, and the success stories of recent graduates. This work should include working with External Relations to incorporate these stories into national destination campaigns – both Scotland and UK.

9. Proactively pursue service improvement, through an evidence-based approach, in order to achieve institutional and service KPIs. This would include horizon scanning and using research. Promote this approach amongst colleagues in the interests of enhancing the student experience.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge and Qualifications

Essential: A1 Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary professional knowledge and management skills in a similar or number of different specialist roles. Or Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 9, 10 or 11 (Ordinary/ Honours Degree, Post Graduate Qualification), or equivalent, including being professionally qualified in relevant discipline, with a broad range of professional experience in a management role(s).

A2 Authoritative knowledge, understanding and expertise across all aspects of policy and practice relevant to careers and employability and its relevance to international students.

A3 demonstrable understanding of service delivery models that improve student experience.

Skills

Essential:

C1 Proven leadership and people management skills gained through previous experience.

C2 Strategic thinker, able to fashion trends, outlooks and opportunities into a systematic approach with a continuous awareness of the bigger picture to ensure shared success across boundaries.

C3 Ability to respond to changing circumstances and proven track record of leading change within a team context.

C4 Strong track record of effectively building and maintain working partnerships across cultural boundaries and influencing at all levels.

C5 Ability to demonstrate creativity and innovation in service design and delivery.

C6 Excellent communication, oral and written, presentation and interpersonal skills to demonstrate credibility with high potential individuals and corporate partners, as well as academic and administrative colleagues.

C7 Flexible, adaptable and resilient attitude, able to manage and prioritise a complex workload across boundaries.

Desirable:

D1 Ability to speak a foreign language.

Experience

Essential:

E1 Experience of managing others, managing performance and motivating teams towards shared goals.

E2 Significant professional experience in a business development role and a track record of achievement in relationship development and/ or account management.

E3 Experience of working in an international context, across cultures and in an ambassadorial capacity.

E4 Experience of managing and controlling budgets.

E5 Experience of coordinating and delivering events.

E6 Demonstrable experience of monitoring and evaluating service provision for continuous improvement.

Desirable:

F1 Experience of conducting and analysing market research.

F2 Previous experience in a Higher Education environment, specifically with international students.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 8, £49,559 - £57,422 per annum.

This post is full time and fixed term for up to Hard end date 31/07/2027

Closing date: 23:45 8th May 2025

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As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension , benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community here.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.jobs.gla.ac.uk/benefits-salary-and-flexible-working for more information.