Job Description Overview: Associate Director, Strategic Partnerships at Saïd Business School

Saïd Business School, one of the world’s leading institutions for business education at the University of Oxford, is looking for an Associate Director, Strategic Partnerships to manage and advance its relationship with EY (Ernst & Young), a global professional services firm. This multifaceted role involves driving collaboration at the intersection of research, education, and public value to create enduring impact for both organisations.

As the Associate Director, you’ll act as the key liaison between Oxford Saïd and EY, ensuring alignment between their shared goals and overseeing initiatives across research, executive education, talent development, and commercial activities. Programmes such as the Future of Transformation Forum and MBA-engagement initiatives will be pivotal to your work. You’ll play a pivotal role in connecting academic excellence with industry innovation, making this an ideal opportunity for those passionate about fostering high-value partnerships rooted in societal impact.

Key Responsibilities:

• Take strategic ownership of all activity linked to EY, facilitating alignment across programmes and research initiatives.
• Collaborate with academic and leadership teams to design transformational programmes rooted in cutting-edge research.
• Lead flagship projects like the Future of Transformation Forum, ensuring world-class delivery and stakeholder engagement.
• Identify and develop new opportunities for collaboration with EY, whether in research, executive education, or talent.
• Promote EY’s visibility in Oxford Saïd’s MBA and degree programmes, strengthening ties between academia and industry.

Ideal Candidate Profile:

The successful applicant will have experience managing global client relationships within professional services or multinational settings, combined with strong strategic thinking, communication, and stakeholder management abilities. You must have the ability to navigate cross-functional projects, engage meaningfully with academic/research institutions, and demonstrate cultural sensitivity.

How to Apply: Advice for Applicants with an International Education Perspective

For talented professionals with international academic or professional experience, this role offers a unique opportunity to connect world-renowned academic excellence with a leading global organisation. Here’s how you can best position yourself:

1. Highlight Global Relationship Management Experience: Since you’ll bridge relationships between a globally influential firm and an academic institution, your application should showcase examples of delivering impactful initiatives across cultural, organisational, or geographic boundaries. Whether you’ve built partnerships within multinational corporations, professional services, or academic research teams, make sure to underline this expertise.

1. Leverage Academic Collaboration Insights: Saïd Business School works at the forefront of research and education. If you’ve studied or worked in diverse academic settings (or supported researchers in developing corporate links), elaborate on how your background makes you effective in academic-industry collaboration. Applicants with international education credentials should highlight how this global perspective can contribute to the university’s vision.

1. Understand Public Value Creation: This role intersects with public value, meaning the projects often extend beyond commercial objectives to societal benefits. If you’ve worked in projects that deliver public impact-particularly in global contexts-you’ll want to emphasise these experiences in your application. Showcase your ability to craft solutions that align with both corporate and societal priorities.

1. Tailor Communication to Intercultural Collaboration: Working with EY and Oxford means engaging stakeholders from diverse cultures, disciplines, and organisations. If you have experience with international teams or navigating intercultural settings, this will be highly advantageous. Demonstrate your adaptability, diplomacy, and ability to communicate effectively across differing cultural backgrounds.

1. Prepare an Impact-focused Cover Letter: In your cover letter, directly reference examples that showcase your strategic, commercial, and stakeholder-management skills. Use your international education or work experience as evidence for how you’ve excelled in designing and delivering impactful programmes.

Why Join Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford?

Working at Saïd Business School allows you to engage with visionary thought leaders, cutting-edge research, and a diverse global student body. It places you at the heart of fostering connections between academia and industry to address some of the most pressing global challenges.

Benefits of Joining:

By joining Saïd Business School, you will benefit from working in a creative and inclusive environment, full professional development opportunities, and exceptional benefits such as:

• Generous holidays, hybrid working arrangements, and subsidised onsite catering.
• Membership in the Oxford staff pension scheme and discounted public transport.
• Opportunities to shape global partnerships at a prestigious institution known for innovation in education.

Application Process

Applicants must submit a CV, a Supporting Statement (Cover Letter), and details regarding Current Salary via the application portal provided above. Ensure your statement is tailored to address the unique skills required for the role, with an emphasis on impact, relationship management, and intercultural collaboration.

The closing date for applications is 11 August 2025 at 12.00 noon, with interviews likely to take place on 15 August 2025. If you’ve studied or worked in international settings or collaborated across borders, this is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the impact of your global expertise.

Saïd Business School embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion in all that it does. International applicants and those from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply, helping us bring unique perspectives and experiences to the team