Executive Director, U.S. Degree Programs, Northeastern University London

About the Opportunity

Founded in 1898 Northeastern is a global research university and a world leader in experiential learning. The same commitment to connecting with the world drives our use-inspired research enterprise. The university offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate programs leading to degrees through the doctorate in nine colleges and schools. Our campuses across North America and in the UK are platforms for undergraduate and graduate learning and collaborative research. Northeasterns signature cooperative education model integrates rigorous academic study with professional experience producing graduates who are career-ready from day one.

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 charged with expanding Northeastern University Londons academic offerings through the introduction of U.S. degree programs complementing the campuss established UK degree provision. This is a significant leadership opportunity in Northeasterns global network: a chance to build a flagship international campus that draws on the full power of the universitys experiential learning model its global employer partnerships and its NECHE accreditation to serve a new generation of students for whom London is not a study abroad destination but a degree destination.

The Executive Director will lead a strategic repositioning of NU London from its current profile toward a campus that primarily awards US-accredited undergraduate and graduate degrees infused with the industry-integrated co-op-based experiential learning that defines Northeasterns identity worldwide. The primary student body will consist of: 1) US students seeking a globally mobile career-accelerating alternative to traditional domestic programs and 2) international students drawn to a US-accredited degree in the worlds leading financial and innovation hub. Degree offerings will include BS Business Administration BS International Business and combined majors with Computer Science AI/Data Science and Economics with London concentrations in Finance & Fintech Entrepreneurship & Innovation Marketing Global Business & Strategy and Tech & AI Leadership.

At the same time the Executive Director will work in close partnership with the existing UK College Executive Principal to coordinate and optimize resources with the campuss UK-sanctioned academic portfolio including degree apprenticeships UK undergraduate programs serving a qualifying domestic student body and doctoral programs as required to meet Office for Students conditions of registration. This collaborative responsibility demands a leader of rare sophistication: someone who can simultaneously build something boldly new while nurturing the institutional relationships and working closely with the valuable UK-founded enterprise.

The ideal candidate is a visionary academic leader with deep experience in American higher education a genuine entrepreneurial instinct and the presence and credibility to represent Northeastern at the highest levels of Londons academic business and civic communities. They understand what it takes to build institutional culture and academic identity from the ground up and they are energized by the opportunity to create something that does not yet exist a world-class American university experience delivered in the heart of London.

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 demonstrated responsibility for institutional strategy academic operations faculty leadership and budget oversight.
• Demonstrated experience building launching or significantly transforming academic programs or campuses with a strong preference for candidates who have led major program innovation in experiential industry-integrated or globally mobile educational models
• Experience operating in an international higher education environment preferably including direct familiarity with UK or European regulatory structures
• Track record of building high-value industry partnerships and employer engagement at a senior level particularly in global financial technology or professional services sectors
• Experience navigating complex multi-stakeholder governance environments including working across institutional regulatory and governmental bodies

Technical Knowledge & Skills:

• Deep understanding of US higher education accreditation standards (NECHE or comparable) and the operational requirements of delivering a US-accredited degree program internationally
• Familiarity with UK higher education regulatory structures including Office for Students conditions of registration student visa and work rights frameworks and the requirements for maintaining a qualifying UK student body and UK-credit program portfolio
• Knowledge of competency-based and stackable credentialing models industry-integrated curriculum design and experiential learning delivery at scale
• Understanding of the competitive landscape for internationally positioned American higher education including institutions such as the American University in Paris and the market dynamics driving growing US and international student demand for London-based degree programs
• Experience with the financial modeling and business development required to sustain a self-supporting international campus at a premium price point

Leadership & Management:

• Visionary leadership presence with the ability to articulate a compelling institutional identity and inspire faculty staff students partners and donors around a shared mission
• Proven ability to lead complex multi-stakeholder organizations through significant institutional change while maintaining operational stability and stakeholder trust
• Experience building and sustaining senior-level partnerships with major employers professional associations civic institutions and government bodies in major global cities
• Ability to work effectively in a matrixed environment including a co-leadership relationship with the UK College Executive Principal and accountability to Northeasterns central academic and administrative leadership
• Demonstrated track record of faculty recruitment development and retention in an international context
• Strong financial acumen and experience managing complex institutional budgets within a self-supporting model
• Exceptional communicator and relationship builder with the interpersonal range to engage credibly with C-suite industry partners UK regulators government officials prospective students and families and Northeasterns Board and senior leadership
• Demonstrated commitment to belonging efforts and to building an inclusive globally diverse academic community
• Flexibility for significant international travel; ability to operate effectively across US and UK institutional cultures

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities:

Institutional Vision & Strategic Leadership (25%)
Develop and execute a multi-year strategic plan to reposition NU London as a leading American university in London with a clear institutional identity a distinctive academic model and a compelling value proposition for US and international students. Establish the campuss culture values and academic standards in a manner that is authentically Northeastern while responsive to the London context. Build and sustain relationships with Northeasterns central leadership the DAmore-McKim School of Business Khoury College and other relevant academic units to ensure the London campus is fully integrated into the universitys global academic network. Represent the campus to Northeasterns Board of Trustees senior leadership and external stakeholders.

US Academic Program Development & Delivery (25%)

Oversee the design launch and continuous improvement of NU Londons US-accredited undergraduate and graduate degree portfolio ensuring the highest standards of academic quality and Northeasterns signature experiential learning are embedded throughout. Champion the programs innovative educational model including industry-infused project work every semester two interdisciplinary Professional Practicums competency-based stackable credentials and flexible 3- or 4-year degree pathways including accelerated US and UK Masters options. Work in close collaboration with Boston-based academic leadership to adapt NECHE-accredited curriculum for London delivery and to develop new London-specific concentrations. Oversee faculty hiring development and quality assurance to ensure a Northeastern-caliber educational experience.

UK Academic Portfolio & Regulatory Stewardship (20%)

Work in close partnership with the UK College Executive Principal to maintain and develop the campuss UK-sanctioned academic portfolio including degree apprenticeships UK undergraduate programs and doctoral programs as required to meet Office for Students conditions of registration and sustain the campuss standing within the UK higher education system. Ensure the campus maintains a qualifying UK student body and complies with all relevant UK regulatory requirements including student visa frameworks and conditions of registration. Serve as a senior institutional interlocutor with the Office for Students UK Visas and Immigration and other relevant regulatory bodies. Navigate the governance and operational complexity of running parallel US and UK academic programs within a unified campus.

Industry Partnership & Employer Engagement (15%)

Build and lead a high-accountability portfolio of named industry partnerships that power the programs experiential learning model ensuring every semester includes at least one live industry project from a named employer partner and that students have access to professional mentorship co-op placements and career networks across Londons finance technology consulting and entrepreneurship ecosystems. Develop partnerships at multiple levels from companies contributing project briefs and mentorship to deeply integrated partners who co-invest in curriculum employ students during co-op rotations and engage in long-term talent pipeline development. Cultivate relationships with Londons leading institutions across finance technology and entrepreneurship including major banks global technology firms and the London startup ecosystem.

Financial Leadership & Resource Development (10%)
Achieve annual revenue targets within a self-supporting campus model at a premium price point continuously justified through program quality employer engagement and student outcomes. Develop and manage the campus operating budget oversee expenditures across academic and administrative functions and maintain fiscal responsibility achieving break-even or surplus. Identify and pursue external funding opportunities including corporate sponsorships philanthropic support and strategic partnerships. Ensure financial sustainability across both the US degree portfolio and the UK program portfolio. Prepare and present budget and performance reports to Northeasterns central leadership on a regular cadence.

Enrollment Marketing & External Relations (5%)

Lead the development and execution of a recruitment and marketing strategy targeting both US students seeking a globally mobile career-accelerating alternative to traditional domestic programs and international students drawn to a US-accredited degree in London. Build and communicate a compelling institutional brand that differentiates NU London from competitors including other American-style programs in London. Represent the institution in Londons academic business and civic communities building the campuss reputation and visibility as a serious institutional presence in the city. Supervise and develop the campuss senior leadership team conducting performance reviews and fostering a culture of innovation accountability and continuous improvement.

Position Type

Additional Information

They can be reached at the following:

However all applications must be made in accordance with the application process specified.

Application process

Applications should be made by 00:00 on the job postings end date (if applicable).

Participation in the equal opportunities section is encouraged but voluntary.

Applications must include a covering letter of no more than one page that addresses the criteria for the role and a full curriculum vitae.

The panel will be shortlisting for this position on a rolling basis so please apply as soon as possible. We reserve the right to close this post before the closing date if we receive a large number of applications.

Please note all employees of Northeastern University London are required to undergo at least a basic DBS check. Our organisation acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard protect and promote the welfare of our students and staff and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities government guidance and complies with best practice and Ofsted requirements. You must adhere to the above if you are offered a role with NU London.

For staffs own wellbeing for part time roles the expectation is if you have multiple roles they should not exceed full time (37.5 hours per week) and for full time roles the expectation is that this will be your only role (apart from intermittent roles).

Applications are welcome from all sections of the community and will be judged on merit alone. We welcome applications from all underrepresented groups including the Global Majority. Candidates must be able to demonstrate their eligibility to work in the UK in accordance with the Immigration Asylum and Nationality Act 2006.