Back to search results

Executive Divisional Director of External Engagement and Global

University of Exeter

Location: Exeter
Salary: Competitive
Hours: Full Time
Contract Type: Permanent
Placed On: 25th September 2026
Closes: 19th October 2026
The University of Exeter is one of the world's leading universities. As a member of the Russell Group of top UK research-intensive universities, we are ranked 16th in the UK in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026, 16th in the Guardian University Guide, and were placed 18th for Research Power in the Research Excellence Framework 2021. Globally, we are ranked top 20 in the Times Higher Sustainability Impact Rankings 2026 and placed 136th in the world according to the QS World University Rankings 2026. 

The University has a proud history. From its roots in the South West of England, it has grown to be a truly inclusive and diverse global university with a community of around 30,000 students from more than 150 countries and 7,000 staff working across four campuses in Devon and Cornwall. Our leading academics, global university partners, and a network of more than 185,000 alumni across 183 countries bring the world to Exeter – and take Exeter to the world.

Our Strategy 2030 sets out an ambitious vision to use our outstanding education, research and global connections to create a sustainable, healthy and socially just future. Our ambition is to be a globally networked university, offering outstanding education and research opportunities for our communities, building strong global partnerships to tackle the world’s biggest challenges, and increasing the diversity of our student population.

It is in this context that we are now seeking an Executive Divisional Director of External Engagement and Global (EEG). This pivotal leadership role will have strategic responsibility for the University’s marketing and brand, reputation, communications, global partnerships, student recruitment and fundraising activities. The incoming Executive Director will play a central role in shaping how Exeter presents itself to the world, strengthening its distinctive identity, proposition, reputation and influence, and ensuring its brand, marketing and communications are compelling, consistent and aligned with its strategic ambitions.

The role requires strategic thinking, agility and a strong understanding of the power of brand and reputation in a competitive global higher education environment. The successful candidate will develop and implement ambitious strategies that deepen engagement with key audiences, translate Exeter’s strategy and values into a compelling external narrative, and connect institutional priorities, audience insight, digital engagement and external relationships to deliver measurable impact. They will be an outward-facing leader, able to identify and seize opportunities to enhance Exeter’s profile and influence in the UK and globally, while responding confidently to emerging issues and immediate priorities.

They will embody Exeter’s values of discovery, respect, excellence, inclusion and community, ensuring these are reflected consistently in the University’s brand, communications, external relationships and engagement with its many communities.

An executive search exercise is being undertaken by Perrett Laver who will support the University in identifying the widest possible field of qualified candidates and assist in their assessment against the requirements for the role. 

For informal inquiries please contact Felicity Park 

The deadline for the receipt of applications is 09:00 am BST on Monday 19th October 2026.
We value your feedback on the quality of our adverts. If you have a comment to make about the overall quality of this advert, or its categorisation then please send us your feedback
Advert information

Type / Role:

Subject Area(s):

Location(s):

Job tools
 

PhD Alert Created

Job Alert Created

Your PhD alert has been successfully created for this search.

Your job alert has been successfully created for this search.

Ok Ok

PhD Alert Created

Job Alert Created

Your PhD alert has been successfully created for this search.

Your job alert has been successfully created for this search.

Manage your job alerts Manage your job alerts

Account Verification Missing

In order to create multiple job alerts, you must first verify your email address to complete your account creation

Request verification email Request verification email

jobs.ac.uk Account Required

In order to create multiple alerts, you must create a jobs.ac.uk jobseeker account

Create Account Create Account

Alert Creation Failed

Unfortunately, your account is currently blocked. Please login to unblock your account.

Email Address Blocked

We received a delivery failure message when attempting to send you an email and therefore your email address has been blocked. You will not receive job alerts until your email address is unblocked. To do so, please choose from one of the two options below.

Max Alerts Reached

A maximum of 5 Job Alerts can be created against your account. Please remove an existing alert in order to create this new Job Alert

Manage your job alerts Manage your job alerts

Creation Failed

Unfortunately, your alert was not created at this time. Please try again.

Ok Ok

Create PhD Alert

Create Job Alert

When you create this PhD alert we will email you a selection of PhDs matching your criteria.When you create this job alert we will email you a selection of jobs matching your criteria. Our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy apply to this service. Any personal data you provide in setting up this alert is processed in accordance with our Privacy Notice

Create PhD Alert

Create Job Alert

When you create this PhD alert we will email you a selection of PhDs matching your criteria.When you create this job alert we will email you a selection of jobs matching your criteria. Our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy apply to this service. Any personal data you provide in setting up this alert is processed in accordance with our Privacy Notice

 
 
More jobs from University of Exeter

Show all jobs for this employer …

More jobs like this
Join in and follow us

Browser Upgrade Recommended

jobs.ac.uk has been optimised for the latest browsers.

For the best user experience, we recommend viewing jobs.ac.uk on one of the following:

Google Chrome Firefox Microsoft Edge