Director of Corporate Affairs

Director of Corporate Affairs

Director of Corporate Affairs

Faculty/Directorate Academic Services School/Function Academic Services Contract type Permanent Location of vacancy Penrhyn Road Actual hours 37 Posted Date 18/09/2026 Closing Date 16/10/2026 Ref No 4956 Documents

• Candidate Pack
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• Job Description
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The Role

Shape the voice, reputation and influence of one of London's most ambitious universities.

Kingston University is seeking an exceptional leader to shape and lead it’s Corporate Affairs function at a pivotal moment in the University's development.

With a distinctive Future Skills agenda, strong industry partnerships and a growing reputation for innovation and impact, Kingston is entering an exciting new phase. The University is bringing together communications, public affairs, stakeholder engagement and digital communications under a single strategic leader to create a more connected, influential and outward-facing function.

Reporting to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and joining the Senior Leadership Executive, you will play a key role in shaping and championing Kingston's story. You will bring together talented teams around a shared vision, strengthen the University's profile and influence, and help position Kingston as a leading voice across higher education, industry, government and civic life.

We are looking for a collaborative and strategically minded leader with the credibility, judgement and ambition to operate at the highest levels. You may come from higher education, the public sector, communications, public affairs or a related environment, but you will bring a track record of shaping reputation, influencing stakeholders and leading high-performing teams through change.

This is a rare opportunity to shape the future the Corporate Affairs function within a university that is ambitious, inclusive, innovative and enterprising.

Join Kingston University and help strengthen its reputation, influence and impact locally, nationally and internationally.

Why Join us? 

We offer a range of benefits, including: 

- 35 days annual leave- Full time equivalent  
- Generous pension scheme (TPS)  
- Employee Assistance Programme helps with any work-related problems having a wider impact on your life and gives you access to the savings centre 
- Discounts on Perks at Work 
- Course fee waiver scheme and discounted courses across the University 
- Learn new skills with priority access to thousands of courses via LinkedIn Learning 
- Season ticket loans up to £10,000 to help you spread the cost of commuting and get the best value for money 

Kingston University values: 

Innovative:  To apply new methods or ideas to facilitate progress  
Inclusive:   To value the diversity of students and staff, treating them respectfully  
Enterprising: To recognise and act on opportunities  
Ambitious: To pursue excellence for oneself, the University, and our communities  

Directorate/Function

The Academic Services Directorate includes Research & Impact, Knowledge Exchange, Academic Registry, Quality Assurance and Enhancement, the Learning and Teaching Enhancement Centre and Corporate Affairs. Collectively the Directorate supports academics in their research and KE activities and supports some of the University’s governance and decision-making committees, maintains academic regulations, develops and implements academic policies, oversees the quality and standards of academic provision and leads the development of education practices across the University.

The Directorate is responsible for stimulating cutting edge research, impact and knowledge exchange and supporting a vibrant community of graduate research students, to increase the volume, impact and visibility of our research and business activities. We actively liaise with Faculties and researchers to support and develop research activities across all disciplines and provide related training and development opportunities. We foster interdisciplinary working to promote, advance and share knowledge with the overall aim of securing new revenue sources and contributing to regional prosperity. Our goal is to foster and sustain a vibrant research culture in which our researchers and research students can flourish.

As a directorate, we identify opportunities for innovation, see change as an opportunity, value constructive feedback and share good practice across the University.

Further information

This is a full time, permanent position with a competitive salary.

Preliminary interviews are expected to be held on w/c 26th October 2026 and a final panel interviews on Tuesday 24 November 2026.

For informal enquiries, please contact Dr Maliha Ahmed, Hilda Gjika or Alison Elton.

Please note this role is being handled by our agency, please apply directly through the link below, quoting the reference number GSe129668.

Bring your true self, expertise, and passion to Kingston where we are continuing to strive to build a university where authentic inclusion and belonging is at its heart. Every one of our staff and students’ identities, backgrounds and diverse experiences makes us who we are - so harness and embrace yours by applying today. We welcome applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQ+ communities and those with disabilities.

We are a place-based organisation, proud of our location in Kingston and the civic role we play in our community. Our campuses inspire collaborative, innovative and creative communities. Being present on campus is important to us because it helps us to create a sense of belonging for both our staff and students. Therefore, staff are expected to be on campus for the majority of their working week.

Candidates must be able to demonstrate their eligibility to work in the UK in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006. Where required, this may include entry clearance or continued leave to remain under the Points Based Immigration Scheme. 

To apply click on ‘Apply Now’. If, for accessibility reasons, you need to apply in an alternative format, please email jobs@kingston.ac.uk or call the HR Shared Services team on 020 8417 3118.

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