Director Aston Professional

Director Aston Professional

Aston University, Birmingham

Aston University is seeking an outstanding commercial and strategic leader to join us as Director of Aston Professional, a pivotal role in delivering the University’s ambitious Aston 2030 Strategy.

With a proud heritage as a leading business-engaged university, Aston is recognised for its focus on employability, applied learning and impactful research. Organised across three Colleges, and complemented by growing online and professional education provision, Aston’s academic model is outward-facing and aligned to the needs of students, employers and society.

Aston Professional is central to the University’s future growth, playing a key role in employer engagement, revenue diversification and the delivery of industry-led education and training. This is an exciting opportunity to lead the transformation and expansion of a significant portfolio, including executive education, degree apprenticeships, adult learning and new commercial programmes, with the ambition to scale this offer globally through Aston’s international hubs and partnerships.

Reporting to the Chief Commercial Officer, the Director will provide strategic and operational leadership across Aston Professional. You will lead the development of a scalable, market-facing and financially sustainable portfolio, identifying new markets, building employer partnerships and shaping compelling client propositions aligned to evolving business needs.

Working closely with colleagues across the University, you will drive commercial growth through effective pipeline development, pricing strategy and key account management, supported by robust data, CRM systems and performance insight. You will ensure excellence in delivery, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance, including with Ofsted, the Office for Students (OfS), and the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA), positioning compliance as a foundation for sustainable growth.

The role includes leadership of multidisciplinary teams across professional training, business development, marketing, learner support and delivery functions. You will foster a high-performing, collaborative culture, aligning academic and commercial priorities to deliver impactful outcomes for learners, employers and partners across the UK and internationally.

We are seeking a senior leader with a strong track record of delivering commercial growth, developing employer-funded provision and building strategic partnerships with industry. You will bring experience of operating within complex, regulated environments, with the judgement to balance commercial ambition with quality and compliance. A deep understanding of professional education, employer demand and the wider higher education landscape will be essential.

This is a significant opportunity to shape the future of professional education at Aston and to play a leading role in delivering a strategy focused on innovation, growth and real-world impact at both a national and global scale.

The closing date for applications is noon on 14^th May 2026

Anderson Quigley is acting as an advisor to the University, and an executive search process is being carried out by Anderson Quigley in addition to the public advertisement.

Further information is available here – Aston University – Director Aston Professional | AQ

• A full CV.
• A cover letter (maximum of two pages) outlining your motivations for the role and how you meet the essential criteria of the person specification.
• Please include details of two referees in either your CV or covering letter, though please note that we will not approach your referees without your prior consent and only should you be shortlisted.

Should you wish to discuss the role in strict confidence, please contact:

Alicja Janowska at alicja.janowska@andersonquigley.com or +44 (0) 7743 927 783 or Kiersten Avery at kiersten.avery@andersonquigley.com or +44 (0)7510 384 735