Job Description Overview: Associate Dean for Internationalisation and Global Partnerships (IBSS, XJTLU)
This pivotal leadership role at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University’s International Business School Suzhou (IBSS) offers candidates an unparalleled opportunity to shape global business education in China and beyond. The Associate Dean for Internationalisation and Global Partnerships (AD IGP) is a senior academic position designed for individuals who can strategically bridge local and global contexts to advance the School’s international ambitions. Acting as a leading representative of IBSS, the Associate Dean will cultivate international partnerships, enhance executive education offerings, drive global student recruitment, and foster cross-cultural integration across academic programmes.
What Does the Job Entail?
As AD IGP, your responsibilities will include:
- Expanding global partnerships and institutional relationships: Cultivate impactful collaborations with international universities, business schools, and networks to position IBSS as a connector between China and the world.
- Overseeing executive education programmes: Drive innovative, co-delivered courses and training initiatives with global partners, ensuring both market relevance and revenue generation.
- Strengthening international student recruitment: Develop strategies to diversify IBSS’s global student cohort while maintaining alignment with accreditation and rankings frameworks.
- Integrating internationalisation across all academic and operational functions: Embed global perspectives within curriculum design, faculty development, and research priorities, ensuring relevance for both local Chinese and international contexts.
- Shaping the strategic narrative of transnational education: Act as a thought leader to position IBSS as a model for blending Eastern and Western business education paradigms.
This role demands a senior academic leader who can elevate IBSS’s global reputation while delivering high-value collaborations and outcomes rooted in China’s dynamic business landscape.
Advice and Insights for Applicants: International Education Perspective
Step 1: Understand the Global and Local Dynamics at Play
To apply successfully for this role, it’s essential to appreciate the unique positioning of IBSS within the broader higher education ecosystem. Situated in Suzhou, China-a hub for innovation and global business-IBSS combines local relevance with international ambitions. The university’s mission to be both “a deeply rooted Chinese international university” and “a globally recognised Chinese institution” highlights the importance of being sensitive to the nuances of both Chinese education systems and international standards. Applicants need to demonstrate their ability to navigate these dynamics effectively.
Step 2: Highlight Your Experience in Transnational Education
The role heavily focuses on driving internationalisation, so applicants must show a proven track record of success in collaborating across borders. For example:
- If you’ve developed bilateral agreements between your institution and others globally, highlight this.
- Showcase any experience leading international student recruitment strategies or designing cross-cultural curricula.
- Emphasize your understanding of the challenges and opportunities presented by transnational education, particularly within business schools.
Specific exposure to AACSB, EQUIS, or AMBA accreditation processes will be viewed as highly valuable, as IBSS seeks to bolster its reputation as a globally esteemed, triple-accredited institution.
Step 3: Tailor Your Application to China’s Context
While familiarity with China’s educational landscape is listed as desirable, demonstrating a proactive willingness to engage with this context is critical. Highlight any previous experience in cross-cultural communication with Chinese institutions or businesses, or mention your familiarity with student mobility trends involving China. Thoughtfully illustrate how you could adapt global best practices to meet local needs.
If you are newer to working in China, a clear strategy for learning and engaging with China’s cultural, economic, and educational ecosystem will be advantageous.
Step 4: Emphasize Leadership and Revenue-Generation Experience
In addition to academic credentials, this position involves administrative, strategic, and financial leadership. Applicants should clearly demonstrate:
- Their ability to manage and grow revenue-generating programmes, such as executive education initiatives.
- Experience negotiating partnerships that drive measurable institutional and financial outcomes.
- Leadership capabilities in integrating international concepts into business curricula through innovative teaching or research strategies.
Step 5: Prioritize Strategic Vision and Cross-Cultural Fluency
Your cover letter should outline a clear and compelling strategic vision. Showcase both:
- Global expertise: Your ability to forge high-value partnerships internationally.
- Local relevance: Your understanding of how to integrate Chinese market dynamics and educational priorities into internationalisation efforts.
Demonstrating cultural fluency-your ability to effectively navigate diverse settings-will be a significant advantage.
Key Recommendations to Strengthen Your Application
- Cover Letter: Use a professional yet conversational tone to express your enthusiasm for shaping this transnational role. Specifically address how your background in international education aligns with IBSS’s strategic priorities.
- CV Format: Clearly organize your academic credentials, leadership experience, partnership successes, and familiarity with international accreditation bodies.
- References: Ensure your referees can attest to your cross-border collaboration skills, leadership in global academic environments, and innovative contributions to international education.
- Due Diligence: Research extensively about Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, IBSS, and the evolving role of transnational education in China. Reflect this knowledge in your application by offering specific ideas or strategies that align with IBSS’s mission and goals.
Strategic Benefits of Joining IBSS
As Associate Dean, you’ll benefit from:
- Being part of one of China’s most progressive and globally focused universities, affiliated with two highly reputable parent institutions-Xi’an Jiaotong University in China and the University of Liverpool in the UK.
- Leading initiatives at a triple-accredited business school that blends Eastern and Western education models.
- Access to industry-leading research funding, professional development opportunities, and international networks.
- Generous relocation support, including housing, family education allowances, and tailored insurance plans.
This is a rare leadership opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the transformation of global business education while living and working in a thriving, culturally rich city at the forefront of China’s internationalisation efforts.
How to Apply
To apply, create a single PDF file containing:
- Cover Letter (Outlining your qualifications, vision for the role, and relevance to the internationalisation agenda).
- Up-to-Date CV (Including personal information such as citizenship and highest academic degree level).
- References: Provide contact details for three references who can attest to your experience in global higher education and business school leadership.
Submit your application through XJTLU’s university website using the “Apply” button. For informal inquiries, contact HRBP Ms. Ye (Gloria) Lan via email at ye.lan@xjtlu.edu.cn.
Final Thoughts
Approach this application with the mindset of joining a truly transformative institution that blends local heritage with global excellence. Bring your distinct expertise in cross-border education, business school leadership, and strategic innovation, and position yourself as the bridge IBSS needs to connect China with the global education and business landscape