Director of Leadership Development

Job description

 The Director of Leadership Development is a key member of the senior Executive Team (ET) at Advance HE, reporting to the Chief Executive. The postholder will provide executive leadership to the product portfolio, external profile and subject matter experts related to Advance HE’s work in the area of leadership development – working across all UK nations and internationally.

The successful candidate will be an experienced leadership development professional bringing deep understanding of the contemporary challenges for higher education leaders; an ability to convert member insights into deliverable products and services; a commercially astute mindset; and the experience to engage with senior people on strategic issues.

This role has four key areas of responsibility:

1. Leading and enhancing our portfolio of leadership development programmes.
2. External engagement with senior people across higher education.
3. Delivery of leadership development, consultancy and associated business development.
4. Leadership of people and contributing to the executive leadership of the organisation.

Applications close on 23 April, at 11.59pm. Stage 1 of the interview process will be scheduled for 8 May 2026. Stage 2 (interviews) are scheduled for Friday 15 May 2026.

Job requirements

Reporting to the Chief Executive, the Director of Leadership Development will support the drive of our strategic vision, ensure outstanding membership value, and strengthen our international impact while safeguarding financial sustainability.
 
The candidate pack outlines the person specification including the required experience, knowledge and skills and 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

To view the full job description, with all responsibilities and person specification criteria, please click here.

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). Up to 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 working contract

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.