Candidate Pack

APPOINTMENT OF
DIRECTOR OF
BUSINESS
ENGAGEMENT

ABOUT US
The University of Westminster has a long and distinctive history. Founded as
the UK’s first polytechnic in 1838, our mission was to educate the working
people of London. We have created a learning environment and a culture
that supports a hugely diverse and international community of students.
We provide grounded, holistic education with wide horizons and
opportunities, so that people from every background can realise their
true potential, contributing to a richer, happier society. Our teaching
is practical, relevant and contemporary. Our research has impact in
the world, is internationally recognised, and informs our teaching. Our
values are to be progressive, compassionate and responsible, so we
can face the issues of the modern world.
We are progressive and questioning. Many of our achievements are
ground-breaking, yet we are also compassionate and caring. Our
spirit reflects our location at the heart of a world city which is home to
diverse communities and which has global reach.
We have students spread across four main campuses at Regent Street,
Marylebone, Cavendish Street and Harrow. Each campus offers stateof-the-art
facilities. These include 350-seater lecture theatres, the awardwinning
teaching and social space in the Psychology Department, our
cutting-edge architecture studios, and our purpose-built Financial Markets
Suite with Bloomberg platform.
We have a new strategy in place for the next five years called ‘Being
Westminster’ that builds on our unique history and achievements. We
are built to last; we are financially strong; we are respected as leaders
in reaching, research and engagement with industry, employers and
professions in the development of work-ready graduates in our chosen
areas of strength. We are a UK university that pays a leading and unique
role in helping students from different backgrounds, communities and
groups from all around the world realise their full potential. We are a
high-performing learning organisation and a community of educational
endeavour where individuals, students and colleagues are able and
encouraged to pursue what they love.
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OUR OBJECTIVES
TEACHING AND LEARNING
We aim to be a leading, high performing and transformative learning
organisation which excels in providing an exceptional student experience
and exceeds sector benchmarks for student satisfaction. By 2024 we will
have reviewed and improved our portfolio of courses and be at TEF Silver
with over 70% of our subject areas at Silver or Gold.
RESEARCH AND KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE
We are developing our research activity and its impact in our areas
of excellence and by 2024 70% of our REF outputs will be at 3*/4*
level. We aim to double our funded research activity, with high and
consistent quality in our outputs, and to increase our impact on business,
industry and wider society through knowledge exchange.
EMPLOYABILITY
By 2025 we will provide opportunities for employability enhancing
learning and engagement with employers and industry to all our
undergraduate students.
INTERNATIONAL
We are raising the international reputation and reach of the University,
such that by 2024 30% of our undergraduates and 50% of our
postgraduates will be overseas students.
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OUR
STRUCTURE
ACADEMIC STRUCTURE
Our structure is built to deliver an enhanced
learning environment, stronger and broader
industrial, international and professional
connections and pioneering and impactful
research. The University comprises three Colleges:
Westminster Business School (Marylebone)
• School of Organisations, Economy and Society
• School of Finance and Accounting
• School of Applied Management
• School of Management and Marketing
Design, Creative and Digital Industries
(Marylebone, Harrow and Cavendish)
• School of Architecture and Cities
• Westminster School of Arts
• School of Computer Science and Engineering
• Westminster School of Media and
Communication
Liberal Arts and Sciences (Regent and Cavendish)
• School of Social Sciences
• Westminster Law School
• School of Humanities
• School of Life Sciences
The University Executive Board comprises the Vice-
Chancellor and President, Deputy Vice-Chancellor
(Employability and Global Engagement), Deputy
Vice-Chancellor (Education), University Secretary
and Chief Operating Officer and the three Heads
of College.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Our Professional Services teams support the
effective and professional delivery of our
teaching, research and knowledge exchange
and the management of student residences and
sports facilities.
• Academic Registry
• Global Recruitment & Admissions
• Finance
• Human Resources, Organisational
Development and Well-being
• Strategic Planning and Performance
• Marketing and Communications
• Estates Planning and Services
• Information Systems and Support
• Student & Academic Services.
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JOB
DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Director of Business Engagement
Reports to: Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Global
Engagement and Employability
Grade: L3
JOB PURPOSE
A key focus of the University’s strategy is to substantially
transform our engagement with business, industry and
employers in ways that will enhance our outcomes
in terms of student enterprise and employability and
the quality of the student experience we offer. The
new role of Director of Business Engagement will
lead and coordinate the University’s business, industry
and employer engagement strategy. Initially, the role
will work across the University’s campuses, but the
intended plan is for the role to be based within new
and dedicated facilities at 29 Marylebone Road. A
place of creativity and connectivity, 29 MR will bring
together programmes and activities which, co-located
and collaboratively engaged with a shared and
growing pool of external partners, will work together to
change beyond recognition the external relations and
educational life of Westminster.
The role will:
1. lead on and coordinate the University’s business,
industry and employer engagement strategy;
2. manage industry-related product portfolio
development;
3. lead on the development of apprenticeship and
industry-related courses;
4. work with University colleagues and teams to
deliver on enhanced graduate employment
outcomes for our students;
5. line-manage relevant professional services teams;
ensure that 29 MR and its portfolio of activities
support the development of enterprise education
and training, and the delivery of an exceptional
student experience;
6. ensure that 29 MR enables a step change in
the size and diversity of the University’s student
enterprise activity;
7. ensure that 29 MR meets its objectives, such that it
is the site and engine for transformative change in
the University’s business engagement.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES
1. BUSINESS, INDUSTRY AND
EMPLOYER ENGAGEMENT
Relationship Management
• Define and implement strategy for the development
and management of relationships with key UK and
international employers, business and industry.
• Facilitate, form and grow effective relationships
and collaborations at senior levels with
strategically-important employers, in order
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JOB
DESCRIPTION
to enhance Westminster’s ability to secure
opportunities for our students.
• Work with employers to ensure they understand the
full range of programmes and services available
in the University to support workforce development
and recruitment for their organisations – including
short courses, undergraduate and postgraduate
courses, and apprenticeships.
• Coordinate a structured key account / customer
relationship management process to ensure
employers and the University can communicate
effectively, sharing and disseminating opportunities
for closer collaboration.
• Maintain strategic oversight of the University’s
relationships with key Professional, Statutory and
Regulatory Bodies (PSRB organisations), and
associated contracts.
• Maintain and enhance other external relationships,
such as those with NGOs and community groups.
• Ensure that, in the future, 29 MR fulfils its potential
as a ‘front door’ to the University, a showcase for
our relations with business, industry, employers and
other external bodies and groups, a Westminster
‘home’ for business, industry and employer partners
and the site of a transformative step change in our
external engagement.
Student Experience
• Use expertise and knowledge gained from
employers to inform College, School and Course
Teams on employer requirements regarding
graduate attributes and potential new short course
offerings for development.
• Recruit employers to support other University
needs such as placements/internships for
students, work-based learning opportunities, and
career mentoring, working closely with relevant
Professional Services teams and stakeholders such
as the Careers Centre.
• Contribute to cross-institutional work on the
enhancement of graduate outcomes, working
closely with relevant Academic and Professional
Services teams and stakeholders.
• Support Colleges and Schools with the planning
of Employer Advisory Boards, the recruitment
of volunteer members, and the sharing of best
practice arising from the Boards around the
University.
• Contribute to external engagement which fosters
and transforms student enterprise at the University,
working closely with the Head of the Student
Enterprise Centre.
Portfolio development and revenue management
• Keep under review and work with the Schools
and Colleges to enhance the University’s portfolio
of industry-related and skills and professional
development courses;
• Ensure the delivery and ongoing development
of revenue streams related to the University’s
business facing portfolio of activities, such that
the expected qualitative and quantitative return on
investment is achieved.
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JOB
DESCRIPTION
2. APPRENTICESHIPS AND
INDUSTRY-LED COURSES
• Work collaboratively with colleagues and
stakeholders across the University to co-ordinate
and develop the University’s strategic plan for
apprenticeships, and proactively identify areas
of future profitable apprenticeship growth for the
University.
• Line manage an Apprenticeships Team that will
deliver fully compliant apprenticeship courses in
line with the University’s strategic aims; policies
and procedures to meet employer and regulatory
requirements; processes to assist academic and
Quality and Standards colleagues in developing
new apprenticeships; and manage apprenticeship
budgets and expenditure in collaboration with
University finance officers.
• Lead on external representation and promotion of
the University’s apprenticeship provision and take
responsibility for the delivery of apprenticeship
growth targets.
• Oversee the management and strategic
development of collaborative institutional
apprenticeship partnerships (eg. City of
Westminster College).
• Initiate and support the development of related
courses – eg. industry-sponsored degrees.
3. 29 MR
• Work with the University’s 29 MR Steering
Group to define, coordinate and ensure the
implementation of the objectives for 29 MR,
whether related to business engagement, student
enterprise, the student experience, income
generation, budget management, and the
management of the 29 MR space and facilities.
• Liaise with the University’s professional service
teams to ensure delivery of the highest quality
facilities, services, events support and catering
offer, such that 29 MR achieves its full potential as
a prestige location for business engagement and a
transformative environment for business learning.
4. LINE MANAGEMENT
RESPONSIBILITY
The postholder will be responsible for line-managing
the leads/heads/directors of the following:
• Student Enterprise Centre
• Apprenticeships and Industry-Led Courses
• Skills and Professional Development Courses
• Alumni Relations
CONTEXT
All Departments are expected to think creatively about
the effectiveness of the University’s administration
and to initiate change and innovation in accordance
with the needs and expectations of Westminster as
a modern, professional, international university. Key
to the success of the professional support functions
is the need to continue to develop positive, forwardlooking,
relationships with academic colleagues
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JOB
DESCRIPTION
and to foster a service ethos whereby efficient,
effective and consistent support frameworks, policies
and processes are developed in partnership with
academic colleagues; innovation is supported
and encouraged; and all activities support the
achievement of University objectives by enhancing
the quality of the student and staff experience.
The post holder will be expected to deliver a highquality
service and exhibit the highest standards
of professional conduct and performance ensuring
these are reflected in staff teams. The post holder will
also be expected to set standards of professional
conduct in line appropriate professional membership
and competencies frameworks, and ensure that the
University’s values of progressive, compassion and
responsibility are reflected in all that we do.
The University requires all post holders to have
an understanding of individual health and safety
responsibilities and an awareness of the risks in the
work environment, together with their potential impact
on both individual work and that of others.
DIMENSIONS
• Leadership and coordination of the University’s
Business, Industry and Employer Engagement
• Leadership of the University’s Apprenticeship
courses
• Line management of staff teams
• Planning and strategy setting (including marketing)
• Delivery of Apprenticeship and Business, Industry
and Employer strategic objectives
• Product portfolio management and development
• CRM management
• Budget management (budget and targets to be
confirmed)
• Space and facilities management
• Engagement with a large network of internal and
external stakeholders, often at very senior levels
• External representation of the University externally,
with occasional travel in the UK and overseas
KEY RELATIONSHIPS
• Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Global Engagement and
Employability
• Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Education
• Pro Vice-Chancellor, Knowledge Exchange
• Director of Student and Academic Services /
Employability / Careers
• Head of the Centre for Education and Teaching
Innovation (CETI)
• Heads of College
• Assistant Heads of College for External Relations
• Assistant Heads of College for Education and
Students
• Head of Research and Knowledge Exchange Office
• Key staff across Professional Services
• External agencies providing market intelligence
related services
• Prospective and existing business, industry and
employer contacts
• Peer role holders from other competitor and
non-competitor Universities
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PERSON
SPECIFICATION
QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
• Relevant postgraduate qualification, or equivalent
professional experience.
• Membership of relevant professional body.
Desirable
• Relevant professional qualification.
TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE
Essential
• Direct experience of successfully leading
institutionally significant projects.
• Direct experience of successfully leading
apprenticeship courses and wider business, industry
and employer relations services / activity.
• Extensive senior management experience of having
shaped and led high performing teams in a Higher
Education setting or a corporate environment.
• Significant skills, knowledge and behaviours linked
to either a business or service related industry.
• Substantial proven experience of reviewing,
devising and implementing complex policies and
procedures.
• Proven knowledge and understanding of
apprenticeships and employer relations issues, and
an understanding of how these related to Higher
Education.
• Experience of manging income and expenditure.
• Experience of effective functional change
management.
• Evidence of working independently to high
professional standards.
Desirable
• Understanding of the Data Protection Act and the
Freedom of Information Act.
• Evidence of recent experience of involvement in
organisation change programmes of work.
• Experience of managing activity across multiple
locations / teams.
• Experience of preparing business cases and
proposals for internal and external clients.
APTITUDE AND ABILITIES
Essential
• Highly credible with exceptional communication
and influencing skills.
• Evidence of involvement in strategy and
policy development, including analytical and
reporting writing.
• Excellent organisational, interpersonal and
communication skills with ability to influence and
build collaborative relationships.
• Ability to understand complex government policy and
interpret its broad and specific impact for audiences
at different levels including senior management.
• Well-developed problem-solving skills and the
ability to take an innovative solutions-focused
approach to what may be multi-facetted and/or
significant in nature.
• Strong influencing skills.
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
Essential
• Tenacious and driven.
• An ability to work co-operatively, both as a leader
and a member of a team.
• Discretion, tact and the ability to maintain
confidentiality.
• A commitment to staff development.
• A commitment to equality and diversity.
• The willingness and ability to travel between
campuses and work flexibly.
• Fully committed to contributing to a stimulating
learning and working environment which is
supportive and fair, based on mutual respect and
trust, and in which harassment and discrimination
are neither tolerated nor acceptable.
• An understanding of individual health and safety
responsibilities and an awareness of the risks in
the work environment, together with their potential
impact on both individual work and that of others.
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HOW TO
APPLY
The University of Westminster will be supported in
this appointment by executive search firm, Society.
To download additional information, and to apply,
please visit the website of Society by clicking here.
Applications must consist of a full CV and a covering
letter addressing the Person Specification and your
motivation for applying.
The deadline for receipt of
applications is midday on
Wednesday 24 June 2020.
Longlisted candidates will be invited to meet face-toface
with representatives of Society in early July. A
final shortlist will then be taken forward to interview
with the University in August.
An appointment will be made subject to proof of
eligibility to work in the UK and satisfactory references
being obtained. The appointed candidate will be
offered a salary at Level 3 that is commensurate with
their experience and the seniority of their new role.
The University is currently under-represented with
regards to gender and BAME within its senior roles
and is actively promoting diversity in its workforce.
We welcome welcome applications from all
sections of the community, particularly females and
individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds and
those with disabilities.
The University offers a range of wellbeing and
work-life balance benefits to recognise and
reward the essential contribution our staff make to
our success and growth. Our benefits are inclusive
for staff of all backgrounds, including LGBT+ staff,
disabled staff, pregnant staff, parents and carers,
as well as staff of all genders, ages, ethnicities,
nationalities, religion and beliefs, and marriage
and civil partnership status.
CORE BENEFITS INCLUDE
• 35 days annual leave per year, plus
bank/national holidays and University of
Westminster closure days (pro-rata for parttime
staff).
• A generous occupational pension scheme.
• Annual incremental progression and/or cost
of living reviews.
• Generous maternity, paternity and
adoption leave
• An option to subscribe to the Simply Health
Cash plan, which covers private healthcare
services and treatments.
• Reduced monthly and annual membership
rates for a wide range of sporting facilities,
including gyms at Regent Street and Harrow
campuses, as well as the Chiswick Sports
Ground.
• The opportunity to participate in other
attractive employee benefit schemes such as
Cycle to Work, Eye Care Vouchers, Season
Ticket Loans, and Give As You Earn.
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