British Universities' International Liaison Association (BUILA)
Job Description Rewrite:
Are you an experienced senior leader with a passion for driving change in the international education sector? This role with the British Universities’ International Liaison Association (BUILA) offers the exciting opportunity to lead a dynamic change agenda within a well-established and highly regarded membership-led organisation. BUILA supports higher education internationalisation professionals across the UK by advocating for policy changes, fostering collaboration, and empowering its members to succeed in the competitive international education landscape. This part-time, fixed-term position (7 months) will allow you to make a strategic impact and help shape the future of BUILA’s initiatives.
BUILA is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to strengthening the UK higher education sector’s international outlook. It serves as a unified voice for professionals working in internationalisation and works with government departments, political figures, and other organisations to influence policy, share best practices, and support collaboration at crucial stages of the international student journey.
Key Responsibilities:
In this interim senior leadership role, you’ll:
- Partner with legal experts to ensure BUILA’s governance structure is fit for purpose.
- Advise the Non-Executive board on structural, budgetary, and workload strategies informed by deep insight into the international education sector.
- Oversee BUILA’s engagements with members and partners, ensuring progress on agreed strategic priorities.
- Provide financial oversight and deliver regular reporting on budget use across services and priority projects.
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with sector stakeholders to align BUILA’s efforts with broader industry priorities during this transitional period.
- Collaborate with government departments to ensure BUILA’s voice is heard in policy development affecting the international education sector.
About You:
To excel in this role, you’ll need:
- Substantial senior-level experience and expertise in international UK education, including managing organisations, projects, or strategic change within this field.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to build rapport with Non-Executive Directors, sector colleagues, government bodies, and policy advisors.
- A proven ability to organise, prioritise, and manage a varied workload effectively within a complex and fast-moving environment.
- A proactive and independent approach to leading initiatives, alongside the willingness to handle administrative responsibilities integral to your role.
- Strong networking skills to manage stakeholder relationships and promote collaboration.
Advice for Applicants with an International Education Perspective:
This position offers the opportunity to contribute to the advancement of internationalisation within UK higher education-a pivotal sector that plays a key role in global educational exchanges and academic collaboration. When applying, ensure your application highlights:
- Relevant Experience: Clearly articulate examples of your leadership in international education, especially those that involved strategic planning or advocating for change. Highlight achievements tied to government lobbying, policy development, and stakeholder management within an educational context.
- Global Perspective: Showcase how your work has influenced international academic partnerships, international student recruitment, or initiatives promoting cultural exchange between UK institutions and partners overseas.
- Sector Knowledge: Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the international education landscape, including areas like student mobility, government regulations, and competitive trends affecting UK universities.
- Problem Solving and Adaptability: Highlight your ability to navigate complex environments, manage change, and meet targets under time-sensitive conditions.
Given the part-time, hybrid nature of the role, applicants who can balance remote work with occasional travel across the UK are particularly suited for this position. To apply, submit your application via the ‘Apply’ button or email members@buila.ac.uk before 5:00pm (BST) on Monday, December 1, 2025. Ensure your application reflects your alignment with BUILA’s mission and your capacity to deliver impactful leadership during this transformative period.
Final Notes:
This is an incredible chance to contribute to shaping the future of international education in the UK, amplifying the voices of practitioners, and fostering collaboration across the sector. If you’re ready to take the lead and make a meaningful impact, start preparing your application today!