20169BR
Vice Chancellor's Office
Senior Staff
Advert
This post is currently open to employees of Cardiff University only. Please do not apply if you do not have a current contract of employment with the University.
Internal Applicants Only - Director of Flexible Lifelong Learning
Cardiff University is currently in the process of delivering its new strategy, Our future, together – with Flexible Lifelong Learning one of the activities in the Transformation Roadmap that will deliver the strategy.
The University has committed to establishing an Institute for Flexible Lifelong Learning that will bring together the knowledge and expertise in the university. It will support academic teams with the development and delivery of new and expanded flexible lifelong learning to achieve “a portfolio of new educational offerings including flexible, modularised, lifelong learning...” that will lead to diversifying and growing new income streams and widening the University’s offerings to a broader range of learners.
Our future portfolio of flexible provision will be a highly attractive, compelling and professional offer to our customers and partners, and through new approaches and delivery models we will deliver a seamless experience for our flexible learners.
There will be consideration of new flexible master’s programmes, stackable microcredentials as well as non-accredited short courses that will complement campus-based programmes and Transnational Education developments. There will be a new drive to develop fully online provision – working in partnership with external organisations to tap into new markets, whilst also scaling up our in-person CPD to individual learners and through new and expanded partnerships with industry and public sector organisations.
These new agile offerings will better enable us to demonstrate the impact of our research and to capitalise on new income stream opportunities, as we evolve towards a vision of a “flexible by default” university. New models will enable us to meet our strategic aims as well as Medr and Welsh Government objectives for tertiary education and Welsh-medium provision, and the changing requirements of regulatory bodies.
This Is a New Appointment To Lead The Establishment And Development Of The New Service That Will Transform The University’s Approach To Flexible Lifelong Learning Provision By
- Developing and leading a comprehensive strategy to grow the University’s flexible lifelong learning portfolio, with an emphasis on generating new and diverse income streams through scalable and sustainable provision.
- Identifying and developing new business opportunities, building partnerships with industry and other third parties, and launching new flexible offerings to meet the needs of learners and employers – including globally, aligning with University’s new Transnational Education (TNE) initiatives.
- Leveraging market trends, competitive analysis and stakeholder engagement to ensure the University’s offerings are commercially viable and impactful for a broad range of learners.
- Providing high-level advice to University Executive Board members, College Education Deans and other senior University staff on requirements and delivery of high-quality flexible lifelong programmes.
About The Candidate
We are looking for candidates that demonstrate the following strengths and competencies:
- Strategic Leadership – Demonstrates a clear understanding of the broader strategic vision, proactively seeking out new opportunities.
- Commercial Focus – Possesses a strong understanding of the commercial and environmental factors that influence the higher education sector. Identifies emerging trends and market opportunities, achieving successful commercial outcomes within an academic environment.
- Customer Experience – Recognises the importance of outstanding service and engagement with both internal and external stakeholders. Actively listens to and addresses the needs of learners, staff and partners to ensure a high level of satisfaction and support.
- Management– Demonstrates strong organisational skills and takes ownership of key areas of responsibility, overcoming challenges and delivering results in a timely and efficient manner.
- Professionalism – Exemplifies high standards of conduct and professional integrity, and is transparent, consistent and reliable, earning the trust and respect of colleagues and stakeholders alike.
- Innovation – Approaches challenges with a focus on opportunities, generating fresh and creative ideas to enhance existing practices and improve outcomes.
- Analysis and Judgement – Assesses issues and problems thoughtfully, making well-informed, realistic decisions based on thorough consideration of data and facts.
- Cultures and Values – Actively fosters collaboration and partnership across professional services and academic teams, working towards shared goals and contributing to a positive and inclusive environment.
This post is full-time and open-ended.
The salary will be on the Professorial Salary pay scale and will be commensurate with the experience and achievements of the successful applicant.
If you have any queries prior to submitting your application, please send them to: COO-PA@cardiff.ac.uk.
To Apply, Please Enclose a Short CV (no Longer Than Three Sides Of A4) And Covering Letter (no More Than Two Sides), Specifically Aligned To The Person Specification And Outlining The Following
- Your vision for the role in the next three years, including a clear sense of priorities/objectives and plans for achieving them;
- How you would build effective working relationships across the University, in support of the role’s objectives;
- How your skills, expertise, experience and your personal characteristics equip you to make a positive contribution in the role
Interviews will be on 10th June 2025
Closing date: Friday, 30 May 2025
External applications are currently not being considered for this post. If the decision is made to open the post to external candidates, the strapline at the top will be removed and you will be given ample time to apply – please check back periodically for details.
Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.
Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.
Job Description
Strategic Planning and Business Development:
- Develop and deliver a strategy for flexible lifelong learning that drives growth, enhances profitability, and aligns with the University’s strategy.
- Identify and assess market opportunities for different layers of flexible lifelong provision, and lead the development of new, in-demand programmes that meet the needs of flexible lifelong learners and industry/organisations.
- Conduct regular market research and competitive analysis to ensure the University’s offerings remain relevant, innovative, and marketable.
Course Development And Revenue Generation
- Oversee the development and management of both credit and non-credit provision to drive enrolment regionally and globally, and maximise revenue.
- Lead efforts to diversify the University’s income streams by developing and expanding new offerings, both in-person and online, including short courses, microcredentials, flexible Master’s, executive education and corporate training partnerships.
- Develop and implement costing and pricing strategies that ensures financial sustainability and profitability for flexible lifelong learning developments.
- Monitor programme performance, using data-driven insights to optimise offerings and adjust strategies for continuous improvement.
Leadership And Management
- Lead and manage multiple specialist teams within a new service for flexible lifelong learning, developing an agile and dynamic working environment, and ensuring service delivery and excellence within the University across all lifelong learning initiatives
- Matrix manage multiple roles and teams across the institution as required
- Build strong partnership relations with Colleges, academic Schools and other departments to support the effective delivery of the University’s strategy in relation to flexible lifelong learning
- Provide leadership, sector leading advice and support to senior managers using effective performance management and professional development to ensure consistency and alignment of practice, and to maximise performance at the individual and team levels, so that each can realise their optimal potential.
- Proactively seek to embed and maintain a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration across the service, fostering the ethos of partnership working, co-creation and the University’s values.
- Work across the University as a senior member of Professional Services, sitting on Professional Services Board and directly advising the Chief Operating Officer, PVC Education, Provost and Vice Chancellor, presenting to the University Executive Board as required.
Partnerships And External Relations
- Build strategic partnerships with industry, government, public sector organisations, non-profit organisations and other external stakeholders to expand the reach and impact of the University’s flexible lifelong learning provision regionally, in Wales, the UK and internationally.
- Develop and negotiate corporate sponsorships, partnerships, and training agreements that generate new business and revenue opportunities for the University and respond to invitations to tender for external contracts.
- Serve as the University’s ambassador for flexible lifelong learning, cultivating relationships with industry leaders, government, public sector organisations, alumni and external organisations
Person Specification
Important Information, Your Application Should Include a Covering Letter (no More Than Two Sides), Specifically Aligned To The Person Specification Below And Outlining The Following
- Your vision for the role in the next three years, including a clear sense of priorities/objectives and plans for achieving them;
- How you would build effective working relationships across the University, in support of the role’s objectives;
- How your skills, expertise, experience and your personal characteristics equip you to make a positive contribution in the role.
Essential Criteria
- A degree, and either a professional qualification or substantive professional experience that is relevant to the role (e.g. leadership and management).
- Significant relevant senior management level experience gained in a complex environment with a clear track record of delivering successful major educational programmes
- Broad and deep experience of leading and scaling revenue-generating educational provision in a commercial or entrepreneurial context, with strong experience of business strategy, market analysis and revenue generation models in an educational setting.
- Successful experience of building and maintaining external partnerships and securing funding through business development initiatives, with a strong entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to identify and seize market opportunities.
- Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret data and use insights to inform decision-making and optimise programmes, with an advanced understanding of market dynamics, pricing and business models for flexible lifelong learning.
- Demonstrable and sustained evidence of the effective development, translation and implementation of strategic plans into operational practices and procedures, including the development and/or implementation of policies and procedures in accordance with external frameworks and regulations.
- Experience of formal programme management, leadership, implementation and delivery across a large and complex environment, with the ability to be innovative and apply a high level of initiative to solve complex issues including the management and mitigation of risk.
- Evidence of a proactive approach to continual improvement and service delivery change, using an evidence-based approach informed by data insights, user experience and systematic evaluation, and the ability to support and motivate staff to actively engage with changing operational needs and drivers, while maintaining standards.
- Experience of operational planning and the effective management of resources that ensure sustainability in practice, while working under pressure, managing tight deadlines and balancing competing demands and priorities, as well as being cognisant of and responding to complex and emerging situations.
- Excellent interpersonal and communications skills, with experience in developing and maintaining effective working relationships with multiple internal and external stakeholders that promotes collaboration, a common understanding, and a culture of responsibility and accountability.
- Ability to negotiate with different parties in order to effectively manage the potential for conflict, while working within professional boundaries.
- Strong commitment to the University’s mission and values, and to the integration and delivery of equality, diversity and inclusion principles to enable student success.
Desirable
- Postgraduate/professional qualification.
- Experience of developing partnerships with external providers e.g. short course vendors or online programme management companies.
Additional Information
Marketing, Enrolment, And Brand Development
- Collaborate with the University’s communications and marketing team to develop effective targeted campaigns that increase visibility, brand awareness, and enrolments in flexible lifelong learning courses.
- Oversee enrolment strategies, ensuring effective recruitment and retention for flexible learners and corporate clients, with the use of effective digital technologies.
- Develop tailored outreach strategies to engage specific learner segments, such as professionals, organisations, and learners with a focus on upskilling, reskilling and new skilling.
Financial And Operational Management
- Develop and manage related budgets , ensuring the alignment of financial goals with programme priorities.
- Monitor revenue and expenditure for programmes, implementing cost controls and operational efficiencies where necessary.
- Evaluate financial performance regularly to ensure growth targets and profitability are met, with regular reporting through formal governance including University Executive Board.
Strategic, Legislative And Regulatory
- Consider the strategic and regulatory considerations, both in Wales and at a UK-level, including meeting the expectations of the Welsh Government’s strategic priorities for tertiary education and remit of Medr.
- Evaluate opportunities to further develop different pathways to, and through, the University – supporting Widening Participation and Civic Mission strategies – ensuring that they deliver flexibility for learners.
- Develop appropriate structures to support statutory reporting.
Dimensions
The Director will be responsible for creating a new Institute required to deliver the new Flexible Lifelong Learning strategy. This will initially include the programme team and academic leads, as well as directly bringing in teams and roles across the organisation to support and align the new service. The role will include matrix and direct management and leadership, with an overall institution size circa 60+ FTE.
Building upon Cardiff’s existing provision, it is expected that the new Institute will develop a number of new £ multi-million income streams through its new programmes.
Internal And External Relationships
Internal
University Provost; PVC Education and Students, PVC International and PVC Research, Innovation and Enterprise; PVCs for the three Colleges; Head of Communications; College Education Deans; Heads of School; Learning and Teaching Academy; Registry; Directors within University IT.
External
HESA, Medr, Welsh Government, Universities Association for Lifelong Learning, QAA and Advance HE.
Salary Range Min.
93,864
Salary Range Max.
112,002
Job Category
Business / Strategic Management, Education, Management & Executive
Grade
Professorial
