Managing Director

The University of East London is seeking a commercially accomplished leader to build and run its Employer Partnership Office (EPO): the University’s single employer-facing front door, operated through CareerVerse Partnerships Ltd, a UEL Group trading subsidiary.

This is a general-management appointment with full P&L ownership, not an academic post. Reporting to the subsidiary Board, with an executive line to the Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor for Careers and Employer Engagement, you will set and deliver multi-year revenue targets across three interdependent streams:

• CPD and micro-credentials
• Workforce-development contracts and apprenticeship employer relationships
• Commercial products, including RDCS Spaces and Facilities and TerraDock

Free employer access to the CareerVerse platform underpins the model, creating the depth of engagement on which each revenue stream depends.

You will lead three Associate Directors and their teams, act as the University’s most senior relationship holder with strategic partners and multinational organisations, and represent UEL at Board and C-suite level in markets including Florida, Chennai and Cairo.

All of this sits within the governance of a publicly accountable institution, so you must be equally at ease operating in commercial and institutional settings.

About You

You will bring a proven record of:

• Owning a commercial P&L
• Leading business development and closing complex deals with organisations ranging from SMEs to multinationals
• Selling CPD, workforce development or professional learning in a commercial context
• Operating within or alongside a regulated environment

Familiarity with higher education, trading subsidiaries or platform business models would be an advantage.

The Opportunity

In return, you will have the rare opportunity to build a commercial function from a standing start, backed by an ambitious university with a distinctive mission: widening participation and improving graduate outcomes.

UEL is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

If you are ready to take the next step in your career and are inspired by the University of East London’s ambitious, inclusive and success-driven environment, we would be delighted to hear from you. 

🔗 Apply Now: Complete the online form, please ensure you include your CV and a cover letter outlining your suitability for the role. Your cover letter should highlight your relevant skills, experience, and motivation for applying.

Please note that this advert may close earlier than the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.

To contact the recruitment team please phone +44 20 8223 3000 x 4600 or e-mail jobs@uel.ac.uk

CVs without a completed application form will not be accepted.

At UEL we are committed to working together to build a community which values diversity in both our staff and student populations, is representative and inclusive, enabling all to progress and thrive.