Director of External Relations

About the role

The University of Leicester is renowned for its world-changing research and high-quality, inspirational teaching, and proud to have been awarded a Gold rating in the 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), reflecting our outstanding student experience and outcomes. Our commitment to excellence has also been recognised through recent accolades, including being named the Daily Mail University of the Year 2025 and shortlisted for the Times Higher Education University of the Year in 2024.

We are seeking an exceptional candidate for the position of Director of External Relations to provide strategic leadership of the University’s end to end external relations activities including marketing, communications, admissions, domestic student recruitment and the Attenborough Arts Centre. You will be charged with developing and delivering an integrated strategy that strengthens the University’s brand and student recruitment performance, building on recent successes and reflecting the aims of the refreshed corporate strategy for growth. Specifically, you will be responsible for working with Professional Services colleagues and the Colleges to drive sector-leading domestic recruitment activity and in ensuring the University meets its five-year student numbers targets in a globally competitive market for higher education.

Reporting to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Professional Services) and leading c160 staff with an overall budget of c£10 million, you will also be responsible for leading the University’s reputation and brand strategy ensuring impactful national and international visibility for its research, education, regional education and global partnerships; and for overseeing communications and reputation activity that supports the University’s long-term success. Strategically managing the Attenborough Arts Centre, you will also be responsible for aligning its work with the University’s community engagement, research impact, health and wellbeing and partnership priorities.

About you

To apply you will have substantial leadership experience gained in higher education and significant success in delivering student recruitment growth through data led strategies across marketing, communications and brand development. Able to effectively manage large teams of diverse professionals and significant budgets, you will be an inspirational leader and have a deep appreciation of both the challenges and opportunities facing the university sector. A technical expert with either a relevant degree or professional qualification you will be a consummate relationship developer and possess the interpersonal leadership qualities to operate as a collegiate influencer at a strategic level. Importantly, you must also demonstrate commitment to the University’s mission and values and to ensuring a high quality and inclusive workplace for all of the University’s diverse community of staff, students and stakeholders.