Head of Global Strategic Operations

Newcastle University - International Office

Job description:

The Role

This is an exciting leadership opportunity at a prestigious, research-intensive institution, Newcastle University, which prides itself on delivering top-quality teaching, fostering research excellence, and playing a key role in driving economic, social, and cultural progress in the North East of England.

The university is seeking a Head of Global Strategic Operations to spearhead efforts in managing international student recruitment operations and delivering an exciting range of initiatives and programmes in support of the university's global strategies. This role is central to ensuring that future international students receive exceptional support throughout their journey-from initial inquiry to enrolment. It also involves fostering responsible and purposeful relationships with international recruitment partners, ensuring continuous improvement and innovation of systems and processes, and providing strategic leadership as an integral part of the International Office Leadership Team.

If you're passionate about international education and fostering global connections in higher education, this position offers an incredible opportunity to make a difference for both students and the university. As the Head of Global Strategic Operations, you'll help shape the university's outreach to international students, help drive transformative change in global education and partner development and support overarching internationalisation goals. We are looking for someone who can demonstrate understanding of the International Higher Education Ecosystem: Highlight your knowledge of global student mobility and education trends, international recruitment, transnational education and the unique challenges faced by international students. Emphasise your ability to innovate tailored strategies that resonate with the diverse cultural needs of students and align with institutional goals. Showcase your Operations and Leadership Expertise:

In addition you will ideally have proven experience in operational management, particularly in a high-volume and fast-paced environment. Outline examples of managing end-to-end recruitment processes or operational systems. Share stories of how you've successfully led teams, improved efficiencies, and motivated others to meet and exceed goals. Highlight Data-Driven Decision-Making and Analytical Clarity: This role requires synthesising complex data and scenarios into actionable insights. Share specific examples of when you used data analysis to inform decision-making, set benchmarks, or improve key operational outcomes. Demonstrate your ability to present data clearly and to diverse audiences, including senior management and external stakeholders. Illustrate Your Passion for Supporting Global Talent and Widening Access to Education: Connections with prospective international students often involve ensuring they feel supported, valued, and well-informed. Share instances where you've developed creative or empathetic solutions to support international applicants and recruitment partners. Highlight your cultural awareness and ability to engage with diverse perspectives.

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Application Tip - Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Ensure your application explicitly matches the criteria mentioned in the person specification provided on the university's website. Describe how your skills, experiences, and achievements align with Newcastle University's goals, priorities, and focus on internationalisation. Use evidence-based examples to make a strong case for your candidacy. Plan Ahead for the Interview: If selected, interviews will be held in person on the 2 April 2026 (with exceptions for extenuating circumstances). Prepare well in advance by familiarising yourself with Newcastle's internationalisation strategies and envisaging how you could contribute as part of the leadership team.

Next Steps: If you're ready to apply, reach out to Elisa Miles for an informal discussion via elisa.miles@newcastle.ac.uk. This is an excellent opportunity to understand the finer details of the position and ask any questions.