About Birmingham City University

At Birmingham City University, we are a diverse and inclusive learning community of over 31,400 students from more than 120 countries. We aim to become an exemplar anchor institution, creating and sharing knowledge for a better and more inclusive society. We are committed to providing a transformational educational experience, supporting world-class research, and fostering a collaborative and supportive working environment for our staff.

Recognised as one of the UK’s Top 250 employers (Financial Times & Statista), we pride ourselves on being a place where colleagues feel valued, supported, and able to grow their careers while contributing to the success of our students and communities.

Our student demographic reflects the rich cultural and ethnic diversity of Birmingham itself, with a significant proportion of students from minoritised ethnic backgrounds and the majority of our home students coming from the West Midlands. This diversity is a strength, and it calls for a workforce that is equipped to challenge deficit narratives and thinking — those assumptions that position students from underrepresented groups as lacking rather than recognising their assets, strengths and potential.

By embracing this perspective, we aim to create an environment where all students and colleagues can thrive, and where our work contributes positively to the social, cultural and economic life of Birmingham and beyond.

Role Summary

We are seeking a Director of Growth, Enterprise and Engagement to lead Birmingham City University’s (BCU) Growth, Enterprise and Engagement directorate, driving income diversification, strategic partnerships and innovation to support the University’s Strategy 2030 ambitions.

In this role, you will shape and deliver the University’s growth into new markets, build high-value partnerships across industry, enterprise, the public sector and communities, and champion BCU’s regional leadership and influence, positioning the University and STEAMhouse as key drivers of innovation and prosperity across the West Midlands and beyond. You will lead a team of innovation and business development professionals, working closely with academic leaders and professional services colleagues to strengthen employer engagement, improve student employability, grow external income, support entrepreneurship and expand knowledge exchange activity.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver the directorate’s strategy for growth, income diversification, enterprise and external engagement, with clear targets and measurable outcomes.
• Lead BCU’s regional engagement and representation through strategic bodies, partnerships and alliances spanning industry, enterprise, the public sector and communities, including the Knowledge Quarter, West Midlands Combined Authority, Birmingham City Council, University Alliances, City Partnership Board and West Midlands Growth Company, strengthening the University’s influence and contribution to regional growth and prosperity.
• Build and sustain high-value strategic partnerships with employers, businesses, regional government, civic and cultural organisations, universities and community partners, translating relationships into tangible institutional benefit.
• Position STEAMhouse, its innovation activities, products and services as a leading driver of business growth, innovation and regional prosperity, growing income through external funding, commercial products and services, occupancy and other opportunities to strengthen BCU’s knowledge exchange performance.
• Lead and develop teams delivering business development, innovation, knowledge exchange, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs), apprenticeships, entrepreneurship, consultancy and continuing professional development.
• Work collaboratively with academic and professional services leaders to embed employer partnerships into the curriculum, enhance student employability and deliver meaningful impact for businesses and communities.

Essential Requirements

• Significant experience leading an enterprise, business development or external engagement function within a large, complex organisation.
• A strong track record of developing strategic relationships, securing partnerships and generating income through internal and external stakeholder engagement.
• Experience leading and developing senior teams, providing strategic direction and delivering results through others.
• Strong understanding of the UK industrial landscape and experience working with key sectors to deliver innovation services and business growth.
• Experience supporting or delivering growth in areas such as business incubation, entrepreneurship and innovation services.
• Demonstrable ability to develop and deliver strategic plans, set targets and measure outcomes, impact and performance.
• Ability to work collaboratively with academic and professional services leaders to translate strategic priorities into effective partnership activity.
• Excellent communication, influencing and negotiation skills, with the credibility to engage and build relationships across academic, business and public sector environments.

Desirable Requirements

• Experience working in or with the higher education sector.
• Understanding of the policy context for skills, innovation and economic growth.
• Experience leading institutional engagement with employers across multiple levels, disciplines and areas of activity.

Further Information

If you are excited by the opportunity to shape BCU’s growth ambitions, strengthen its partnerships and help drive prosperity, innovation and opportunity across the region and beyond, we would love to hear from you.

Informal queries regarding the role are very welcome and should be directed to Nelia Naude at nelia.naude@bcu.ac.uk.

Internal candidates are requested to follow the expression of interest process.

Why not explore our campuses using our interactive map: Interactive Map | Birmingham City University

Why work for us

• Work–life balance – Generous leave and hybrid working (role dependent).
• Career development – Opportunities to grow, develop and progress your career.
• Reward and wellbeing – Competitive pay, pension, wellbeing support and staff benefits.
• Inclusive culture – A supportive, diverse environment where everyone belongs.

Visa Sponsorship 

This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route, subject to meeting the relevant criteria. For further information, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

At BCU, we welcome applications that clearly demonstrate how your skills and experience meet the requirements of the role. AI tools may be used to support you in preparing your application, but the information you provide must be accurate, authentic and based on your own experience. Applications that rely too heavily on AI, appear generic or do not provide specific evidence against the role criteria are less likely to progress to the next stage of the recruitment process. For more information, please refer to our candidate guidance; How to Apply - Jobs at Birmingham City University

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and to an environment that supports lawful free speech and academic freedom. We will continuously review and improve our policies, practices, and procedures to ensure that we are promoting these in all aspects of our operations. We believe that by working together, combining our many different backgrounds and life experiences, we will empower each other to reach our full potential.

Disability Confident Employer

Birmingham City University is proud to be a Disability Confident Committed Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview.

The appointed candidate will normally be employed through our subsidiary company, BCU Support Services Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Birmingham City University. Appointees with prior LGPS membership who wish to re-enter the scheme may do so and will be employed directly by the University.