Principal Advisor supporting Durham University 21/03/2025

About the University

Durham University is one of the world's top universities with strengths across the Arts and Humanities, Sciences and Social Sciences. We are home to some of the most talented scholars and researchers from around the world who are tackling global issues and making a difference to people's lives.

The University sits in a beautiful historic city in the Northeast of England where it shares ownership of a UNESCO World Heritage Site with Durham Cathedral, the greatest Romanesque building in Western Europe. A collegiate University, Durham recruits outstanding students from across the world and offers an unmatched wider student experience.

Durham University has an ambitious ten-year strategy (2017-2027) to achieve its objectives of becoming world-leading in research, teaching and the wider student experience. Some key strategic objectives in the transversal Global Strategy are:

- Increase the international impact and reputation of our research by expanding and deepening our relationships with leading partner institutions and engaging with global networks.
- To become a leading university of choice for international students by developing our outstanding on-campus programmes and developing new and innovative transnational educational offerings.
- Position Durham University as a globally- networked institution that is widely recognised as an outstanding place to study and work.
- Expand the range of global, unique and career-building opportunities for students and widen access to these regardless of background.

This role sits in the International Partnerships and Relations Team, in the International Office, which is part of the Global Division. Reporting to the Deputy Head, International Partnerships, the postholder will work closely with the wider International Office as well as Professional Service Teams including:

1. Research and Innovation Services
2. Marketing and Communications
3. Development and Alumni Relations
4. Academic Office

Summary of Role:

As the most senior member of the India Team, you will be responsible developing and driving the strategic development of the University's interests in India, with a particular focus on building our reputation and profile through impactful research and education partnerships and strengthening engagement with key stakeholders across the country/region. Drawing upon knowledge of the economic, educational and political landscape and policies in the region, the India Country Director will horizon scan, identify, assess and develop opportunities, providing strategic analysis and intelligence to with a range of colleagues. The postholder will proactively manage key stakeholders and partner relationships in the region, including senior delegations into and out of the region. The postholder will deploy available resources efficiently to deliver on strategic priorities, meeting agreed targets and key performance indicators. This will require maintaining current in-depth awareness of the higher education and related markets, in the region, in the UK and globally, and develop strong relationships with appropriate government agencies, agents funding bodies and other influential stakeholders.

Drawing on Durham's existing partnerships and academic expertise, the postholder will take the lead in identifying, developing, and monitoring the progress of collaborative partnerships and programmes. Working closely with colleagues across the university, will be expected to deliver a strategic plan to support Durham's engagement with India. This post will involve some travel overseas and pre-agreed travel within India.

Objectives

Develop and implement a regional strategy which aligns with institutional priorities across education and research and is built on detailed knowledge of the local landscape. The postholder is expected to proactively champion this strategy across the university to promote engagement.

Evaluate existing and potential partnerships to identify the best use of resources in achieving strategic objectives.

Horizon scanning to source new opportunities and to identify ways to build on existing strategic partnerships.

Lead the development, planning and execution of large-scale strategic projects in collaboration with relevant Durham colleagues.

Support strategic, high-level University visits to India and provide planning and organizational support and briefings for inbound visits to Durham.

1. Lead the development and delivery of an annual schedule of activities among key stakeholders and partners, through academic workshops, collaborative meetings, high-profile partnership engagement activities to raise the University's profile and increase quality partnerships. Support and advise on the development of the University's global profile building work in India.
2. Provide high-quality management information and policy insight reports to support decision-making and the development and implementation of the University's India partnerships strategy.

Identify business development opportunities across both education and research and support colleagues in the implementation of any business development projects in India. Identify opportunities for the development of industry and public-private partnerships and work with colleagues to progress them.

Responsible for:

Represent the University and drive the strategic development of the University's interests in India.

Build, analyze and monitor market developments, government policy, opportunities and risks in order to provide regular tailored partnerships updates and written reports to university faculty and staff, including to inform executive decision making.

Develop the University's strategy for engagement in India and create and implement annual plans of activities and engagement to achieve those strategic goals.

Identify suitable strategic partners in India and establish collaborative relationships, including high-value research partnerships and articulation and progression arrangements.

Support the delivery of funding opportunities, education partnerships and new business opportunities (where appropriate), including training and education partnerships, capacity-building partnerships, and research partnerships, by working closely with colleagues from the International Partnerships and Relations Team, and across the wider University (both academic and professional services).

Maintain existing relationships and identify and develop new relationships with a range of government, non-government and institutional stakeholders to deliver value through research and educational partnerships.

Act as first point of contact and relationship holder with local partnership stakeholders and represent the University to external organizations as appropriate.

Be the main point of contact for the University's academic and professional services staff who wish to establish links or to advance collaboration with Indian partners and advise on the partner suitability and appropriate actions.

Lead on large-scale strategic projects in India, collaborating with a range of internal and external stakeholders to ensure that milestones are achieved within set deadlines.

Engage with regional governments to develop relationships and assess opportunities for collaboration.

Maintain an up-to-date stakeholder database.

Manage in-country budget for partnerships operations.

Specific Role requirements:

1. ability to travel in-country and internationally as required by the role.
2. Ability to accompany senior level staff on visits to India.
3. Ability to travel to UK to engage directly with academic and professional service colleagues (as appropriate and agreed).

Personal Requirements

Essential skills, knowledge, Qualifications and experience required:

1. Self-starter, able to work independently.
2. Educated to degree level.
3. Familiarity with Indian Higher Education landscape including funding opportunities.
4. Strategic thinking and communication with senior stakeholders.
5. Experience of working with government agencies and funding organizations. Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of UK Higher Education System. Substantial relevant working experience, including previous experience of partnership development.
6. Cultural sensitivity, tact and diplomacy.
7. Excellent oral and written skills (English and Hindi).
8. Attention to detail in the development and communication of documents and activities.
9. Excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to build effective and trusting partnerships with a range of stakeholders including senior academic colleagues. Excellent presentation skills to a variety of audiences.
10. Confidence in negotiating agreements with strong influencing skills to gain commitment.
11. Able to communicate ideas through concise written reports, briefing notes and strategy documents.
12. Proven IT skills, including the use of CRM systems and data management tools (e.g. Access, Excel).
13. Knowledge and experience of managing budgets.
14. Demonstrable ability to provide advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues.
15. Ability to solve problems as part of a team and resolve issues, plan solutions and make pragmatic decisions.

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