Director of Leadership and Transformation

The higher education sector faces significant challenges – from funding pressures to technological disruption – and we are committed to helping our members navigate these changes. The Director of Leadership and Transformation will provide executive leadership for our leadership and transformation strategy, product portfolio, and external profile across all UK nations and internationally. You will manage a key strategic advisory group to ensure members’ voices shape our work, provide thought leadership in this thematic area, and deliver high-value consultancy and development for senior stakeholders. This role demands a proven leader with deep expertise in leadership development and transformational change, strong commercial acumen, and the ability to engage confidently with senior stakeholders and policy makers.

This is a senior leadership position, reporting directly to the Chief Executive. It requires a proven ability to combine strategic vision with operational delivery; expertise in leadership and transformation; and an appreciation of the sector’s policy and strategic context. As a visible and influential leader, you will inspire high-performing teams, foster a culture of excellence and inclusion, and ensure our work reflects global perspectives. Your success will enable Advance HE to deliver measurable and demonstrable value and impact for members and position us as a highly credible voice and trusted partner in the sector.

To view the full candidate pack, please click here.

Applications close on Sunday 14th December, at 11.59pm. Stage 1 of the interview process will be scheduled for w/c 5th January 2026. Stage 2 is scheduled for Friday 23rd January 2026.

Job requirements

Reporting to the Chief Executive, the Director of Leadership and Transformation will support the drive of our strategic vision, ensure outstanding membership value, and strengthen our international impact while safeguarding financial sustainability.

The successful candidate will be a strategic leader who can:

• Apply excellent knowledge of the higher education sector, its strategic challenges and policy context within a range of international contexts.
• Provide an excellent understanding of leadership development, change and strategic transformation in a broad range of contexts.
• Contribute to ensuring effective governance, preparing and presenting reports to the wider Executive team and Board.
• Provide thought leadership on leadership and transformation to position Advance HE as an expert, highly credible voice and trusted partner.

We seek a proven leader of transformation and change who has an appreciation of the Higher Education sector.
 
The ideal candidate will bring:

• High levels of political acumen.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to create a vision and lead teams to deliver lasting change.
• Enterprising approach and solution-focused innovation to create practical approaches.

Please see the full candidate pack here for further details and the full job description. 

It should be noted that this role requires a minimum attendance of once per week at an Advance HE office location, with either York or London being the main base/nominal office for this role.

Job responsibilities

The Director of Leadership and Transformation will provide Executive leadership to the strategy, product portfolio, external profile and subject matter experts (SME) related to Advance HE’s work in the area of leadership and transformation both across all UK nations and internationally.

The Main Duties and Responsibilities can be found in the candidate pack.

Job benefits

This is a hybrid-working post with a York or London Nominal Office, with a minimum of one day per week office attendance.

The role reports to the Chief Executive.

Benefits include but by no means limited to:

• 31 days annual leave (plus national bank holidays). 3 or 4 of these days have to be taken during the office closure between Christmas and New Year.
• USS pension scheme (6.1% employee contribution and 14.5% employer contribution)
• Enhanced family leave benefits
• Flexible working hours
• Specsavers vouchers
• Retail Discounts
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Financial Wellbeing service provider access
• Hybrid work

A salary will be offered to secure the right individual, although it is expected that the salary will initially be circa £88,880, with the potential for salary progression in line with the appointee’s performance in role.

Please complete your application via the ‘Apply’ button above.