Northeastern University London
Executive Director, U.S. Degree Programs, Northeastern University London
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About the Opportunity
Founded in 1898, Northeastern is a global research university and a world leader in experiential learning. Its signature cooperative education model integrates rigorous academic study with professional experience across a global network of campuses.
Summary:
Reporting to the Senior Vice Provost for Academic Programs, the Executive Director of U.S. Degree Programs, Northeastern University London is a transformational senior leader responsible for repositioning the London campus as a premier American university in one of the world's great cities. This is a significant opportunity to shape a distinctive international campus grounded in Northeastern's experiential learning model, global employer partnerships, and U.S. accreditation.
The Executive Director will lead the continued development of NU London's U.S. accredited undergraduate and graduate degree portfolio, serving students seeking a globally oriented, career accelerating academic experience in London. The role will ensure that academic programs reflect Northeastern's commitment to experiential, industry integrated, and globally mobile learning.
Working closely with the UK College Executive Principal, the Executive Director will coordinate resources across the campus's U.S. and UK academic portfolios. This responsibility requires a sophisticated, entrepreneurial academic leader who can build something new while strengthening institutional relationships and supporting the broader London campus.
Qualifications:
Education & Experience:
- Doctorate required in business, higher education leadership, or a closely related field.
- Significant senior academic leadership experience in a university setting, with responsibility for institutional strategy, academic operations, faculty leadership, and budget oversight.
- Demonstrated experience building, launching, or transforming academic programs or campuses, preferably within experiential, industry integrated, or globally mobile educational models.
- Experience operating in an international higher education environment, preferably with familiarity with UK or European regulatory structures.
- Track record of building high value industry partnerships and employer engagement at a senior level.
- Experience navigating complex, multi stakeholder governance environments involving institutional, regulatory, governmental, and external partners.
Technical Knowledge & Skills:
- Deep understanding of U.S. higher education accreditation and the requirements of delivering U.S. degree programs internationally.
- Familiarity with UK higher education regulation, including Office for Students requirements and student visa frameworks.
- Knowledge of experiential learning, industry integrated curriculum, competency based learning, and international higher education markets.
- Experience with financial modeling, business development, and resource planning for a self supporting international campus.
Leadership & Management:
- Visionary leadership presence with the ability to articulate a compelling institutional identity and inspire faculty, staff, students, partners, and supporters around a shared mission.
- Proven ability to lead complex organizations through significant institutional change while maintaining operational stability and stakeholder trust.
- Experience building senior level relationships with employers, civic institutions, government bodies, and academic partners.
- Ability to work effectively in a matrixed environment, including a close partnership with the UK College Executive Principal and accountability to Northeastern's central leadership.
- Demonstrated success recruiting, developing, and retaining faculty in an international context.
- Strong financial acumen and experience managing complex institutional budgets within a self supporting model.
- Exceptional communication and relationship building skills across industry, government, regulatory, and university audiences.
- Demonstrated commitment to belonging and to building an inclusive, globally diverse academic community.
- Flexibility for significant international travel and the ability to operate effectively across U.S. and UK institutional cultures.
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Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities:
Institutional Vision & Strategic Leadership (25%)
- Develop and execute a multi year strategic plan to position NU London as a leading American university in London, with a clear institutional identity, distinctive academic model, and compelling value proposition for U.S. and international students. Establish the campus's culture, values, and academic standards in a manner that is authentically Northeastern and responsive to the London context.
- Build strong relationships with Northeastern's central leadership, academic colleges, and administrative units to ensure the London campus is fully integrated into the university's global academic network. Represent the campus with the Board of Trustees, senior leadership, and external stakeholders.
U.S. Academic Program Development & Delivery (25%)
- Oversee the design, launch, delivery, and continuous improvement of NU London's U.S. accredited undergraduate and graduate degree portfolio. Ensure academic quality and embed Northeastern's experiential learning model throughout the student experience.
- Champion innovative, industry integrated learning. Collaborate with Boston based academic leadership to adapt accredited curricula for London delivery and develop distinctive London focused offerings.
- Lead faculty recruitment, development, performance, and quality assurance to ensure a consistently high caliber academic experience.
UK Academic Portfolio & Regulatory Stewardship (20%)
- Work closely with the UK College Executive Principal to support the campus's UK sanctioned academic portfolio, including degree apprenticeships, UK undergraduate programs, and doctoral programs, as required to meet regulatory obligations.
- Help ensure compliance with Office for Students requirements, student visa frameworks, and other applicable UK standards. Serve as a senior institutional representative with regulators and governmental bodies as appropriate.
- Navigate the governance and operational complexity of running parallel U.S. and UK academic programs within a unified campus while fostering collaboration and shared institutional purpose.
Industry Partnership & Employer Engagement (15%)
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- Build and lead a portfolio of industry partnerships supporting experiential learning, mentorship, co op participation, student career development, and long term talent pipelines.
- Develop relationships with employers across London's financial services, technology, consulting, entrepreneurship, and professional services sectors, including partnerships involving curriculum, student employment, sponsorship, and strategic investment.
- Ensure employer engagement is integrated into the academic model and contributes to student outcomes and market differentiation.
Financial Leadership & Resource Development (10%)
- Lead financial planning and resource allocation for a self supporting campus. Develop and manage the operating budget, oversee expenditures across academic and administrative functions, and maintain fiscal discipline with the goal of achieving break even or surplus performance.
- Pursue external funding opportunities, including corporate sponsorships, philanthropic support, and strategic partnerships. Ensure financial sustainability across the U.S. and UK academic portfolios and provide regular budget and performance reporting to central leadership.
Enrollment, Marketing & External Relations (5%)
- Lead recruitment, enrollment, and marketing strategies for U.S. and international students seeking a globally mobile, career focused degree experience in London.
- Build a distinctive institutional brand that differentiates NU London within the international higher education market. Represent the campus across London's academic, business, civic, and governmental communities and strengthen its visibility and reputation.
- Supervise and develop the campus's senior leadership team and foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Salary Range
£136,405 per annum
About the University
Northeastern University London is a prestigious higher education institution in the heart of London and part of Northeastern University's global campus network. It offers academically rigorous, interdisciplinary programs designed to inspire innovative thinking, develop global perspective, and prepare students for professional success.
NU London currently serves approximately 1,500 students and aims to reach 4,000 students by 2028/29. The campus offers modern facilities, advanced learning technology, and a vibrant academic community.
Choose NU London
Northeastern University London supports employee wellbeing, professional growth, and work life balance through a comprehensive benefits package.
Enquiries
Informal enquiries may be directed to:
Mike Jackson
m.jackson@northeastern.edu
Application Process
Applications should include a covering letter of no more than one page addressing the criteria for the role and a full curriculum vitae.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The university reserves the right to close the posting early.
All employees of Northeastern University London are required to undergo an appropriate DBS check and demonstrate eligibility to work in the United Kingdom.
Applications are welcomed from all sections of the community and will be considered on merit.
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