University College Birmingham (UCB) stands proudly in the heart of the UK's largest regional city, known for its exceptional student experience and outstanding career-focused education. With a unique offer spanning a diverse range of vocational courses across both Higher and Further Education sectors, alongside an expanding Apprenticeship portfolio and a successful Sixth Form – amidst a challenging climate - the University has continued to thrive. Our refreshed and renewed bustling city centre campus is now home to a diverse community of over 11,000 students from across the globe, with plans to grow further.
We seek an exceptional Executive Director of Student Employability to lead our ambitious agenda for student and graduate outcomes. This newly created, executive appointment brings together strategic leadership for employability, careers services, placements and employer partnerships into a single role. We were recently ranked 3rd in the UK for overall student satisfaction in the National Student Survey 2026, ahead of every Russell Group university, and 1st in Birmingham for Career Prospects and Facilities in the WhatUni Student Choice Awards 2026 — a strong foundation from which to build an even more ambitious employability offer. Reporting to the Pro Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean of the Business School, and playing a key role on the University's Executive Management Team, this critical appointment represents an opportunity to make a transformative impact at a pivotal time for the institution.
Working with dedicated teams across the University, you will develop and implement a comprehensive employability strategy aligned with our new Strategic Plan 2025–2030 and its mission to ensure everyone who learns with us is empowered, enriched and employed. Key priorities include significantly broadening UCB's employer partnership base in priority growth sectors; embedding employability within the curriculum, working closely with Deans and academic teams; and providing executive leadership to the HIRED careers, placements and employability service. You will maintain a strong working knowledge of the regulatory framework around graduate outcomes, while serving as a senior external ambassador for the University across the region and beyond. building effective partnerships with employers, government and regional stakeholders.
A dynamic, well-connected and highly strategic leader, you will demonstrate exceptional leadership skills with a strong track record of improving graduate employment outcomes and earnings. You will bring significant senior experience of leading on employability combined with a genuine commitment to the additional support many UCB students need given their backgrounds. With proven ability to unite and motivate diverse teams, you will be energised by the opportunity to drive institutional transformation and continue to position UCB as a leader within the sector.
If you would like to discuss this opportunity further or have any questions about the role, please contact Chris McCann on chris.mccann@perrettlaver.com.
For further information and instructions on how to apply, please visit https://plusportal.perrettlaver.com/, quoting reference 8532.
Closing date for receipt of applications is 11:59pm on 6 September.
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