Executive Director, U.S. Degree Programs, Northeastern University

About the Opportunity

Reporting to the Senior Vice Provost for Academic Programs, the Executive Director of U.S. Degree Programs at Northeastern University London is charged with reimagining and repositioning the London campus as a premier American university. The role leads the strategic repositioning of NU London from its current profile toward a campus that primarily awards US-accredited undergraduate and graduate degrees, infused with Northeastern’s mandatory co‑op‑based experiential learning model.

The mandate includes building a flagship international campus attracting US students and international students seeking a US‑accredited degree in the UK’s financial and innovation hub.

• Institutional Vision & Strategic Leadership (25%)
  • Develop and execute a multi‑year strategic plan to reposition NU London as a leading American university in London.
  • Build campus culture, values, and academic standards that reflect Northeastern while responding to the London context.
  • Represent the campus to Northeastern’s Board of Trustees, senior leadership, and external stakeholders.
• US Academic Program Development & Delivery (25%)
  • Oversee design, launch, and continuous improvement of US‑accredited undergraduate and graduate degree portfolio.
  • Ensure experiential learning, industry‑infused projects, professional practicums, and competency‑based credentials are embedded.
  • Collaborate with Boston‑based academic leadership to adapt NECHE‑accredited curricula for London delivery.
• UK Academic Portfolio & Regulatory Stewardship (20%)
  • Partner with the UK College Executive Principal to maintain and develop the campus’s UK‑sanctioned academic portfolio.
  • Ensure compliance with Office for Students conditions of registration and UK visa frameworks.
  • Serve as institutional liaison with UK regulators and governance bodies.
• Industry Partnership & Employer Engagement (15%)
  • Build and lead a portfolio of named industry partners powering the experiential learning model.
  • Ensure every semester includes at least one live industry project from a named partner.
  • Develop long‑term talent pipeline partnerships in London’s finance, technology, and entrepreneurship ecosystems.
• Financial Leadership & Resource Development (10%)
  • Achieve annual revenue targets within a self‑supporting campus model at a premium price point.
  • Develop and manage the campus operating budget and pursue external funding opportunities.
• Enrollment, Marketing & External Relations (5%)
  • Lead recruitment and marketing strategy for US and international student markets.
  • Build and communicate a compelling institutional brand and campus reputation.

• Education & Experience
  • Doctorate required in business, higher education leadership, or a closely related field.
  • Significant senior academic leadership experience in a university setting.
  • Experience launching, transforming, or significantly improving academic programmes or campuses.
  • Experience operating in an international higher education environment, with familiarity with UK or European regulatory structures.
  • Track record of building high‑value industry partnerships and employer engagement at a senior level.
  • Experience navigating complex multi‑stakeholder governance environments.
• Technical Knowledge & Skills
  • Deep understanding of US higher education accreditation standards (NECHE or comparable).
  • Familiarity with UK higher education regulatory structures and Office for Students conditions.
  • Knowledge of competency‑based and stackable credentialing models, industry‑integrated curriculum design, and experiential learning delivery at scale.
  • Understanding of the competitive landscape for internationally positioned American higher education.
  • Experience with financial modeling and business development for a self‑supporting international campus.
• Leadership & Management
  • Visionary leadership presence; articulate institutional identity and inspire stakeholders.
  • Proven ability to lead complex, multi‑stakeholder organizations through significant institutional change.
  • Experience building and sustaining senior‑level partnerships with major employers, professional associations, and government bodies.
  • Excellent communicator and…