Head of Corporate Relations, Cardiff University Kazakhstan

Cardiff University Kazakhstan is a branch campus of Cardiff University, a member of the UK's Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Based in Astana, the University is committed to delivering high-quality education, advancing research and innovation, and developing meaningful partnerships that contribute to Kazakhstan's economic and social development.

As the University continues to expand its academic provision and institutional activities, we are seeking an experienced and strategically minded Head of Corporate Relations to strengthen our engagement with businesses, industry leaders and corporate organisations.

Purpose of the Role

Provide strategic leadership in developing and managing relationships with corporate and industry partners. Establish long-term partnerships supporting industry engagement, academic collaboration, commercial development, student employability and institutional growth. The role needs a proactive, commercially aware leader who can engage senior stakeholders, negotiate partnerships and turn relationships into measurable benefits, working closely with academic Schools and Professional Services while respecting their operational responsibilities.

What We Offer

• Employment in accordance with the labor legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan;

• Contract term: 1 year (fixed-term employment contract) with the possibility of extension;

• Full-time employment, 5-day working week;

• 30 days of annual paid leave;

• Competitive salary commensurate with responsibilities and duties;

• The opportunity to contribute to an internationally recognized educational project;

• Opportunities for professional development.

The University is committed to equal opportunities and strives to create an inclusive working environment. We welcome applicants regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, religion, age, or other characteristics.

Key Responsibilities

1. Corporate Strategy, Partnerships and Commercial Development

• Develop and implement the corporate relations strategy, aligned with institutional priorities and long-term development plans.
• Identify, establish and negotiate strategic partnerships with leading national and international companies, industry associations and corporate organisations, with clearly defined objectives, commitments and expected outcomes.
• Build and maintain a strong network of senior corporate executives and industry decision-makers.
• Develop sector-specific engagement priorities aligned with academic programmes, research interests and regional economic needs.
• Position the University as a valued partner for industry collaboration, workforce development and innovation, and represent it in senior-level corporate meetings, business forums and external networks.
• Identify opportunities for corporate sponsorship, industry-funded initiatives and other institutional support, and develop commercially viable partnerships that contribute to financial sustainability.
• Work with academic colleagues on executive education, professional training, consultancy and knowledge exchange.
• Monitor the effectiveness and value of partnerships, ensuring commitments are delivered and relationships remain productive.

2. Industry Engagement and Academic Collaboration

• Establish structured engagement mechanisms with relevant industry sectors, including industry advisory boards and corporate engagement platforms.
• Support academic Schools in developing relationships with industry partners in their disciplines.
• Identify opportunities for corporate participation in curriculum development, guest lectures, mentoring and industry projects.
• Facilitate industry participation in applied research, innovation and collaborative projects, promoting knowledge exchange and practical application of research.
• Gather industry intelligence on emerging skills requirements, workforce trends and sector developments to inform institutional planning.

3. Student Development and Employability

• Develop corporate relationships that create opportunities for internships, placements, industry projects and graduate employment.
• Work with the Practice & Career Centre to connect corporate partners with student development and employability initiatives.
• Facilitate corporate involvement in mentoring, professional networking and career-related activities.
• Contribute to the sales of PG programmes and corporate training programmes.
• Support corporate-sponsored scholarships, student competitions and educational initiatives.
• Ensure employer engagement opportunities are coordinated with the relevant academic and Professional Services teams.

4. Institutional Coordination, Leadership and Performance

• Act as the University’s principal relationship manager for strategic corporate partners, coordinating engagement to ensure consistency, professionalism and effective relationship management.
• Work with the International Office, Marketing, Student Recruitment, Practice & Career Centre and academic Schools to support shared objectives, while operational delivery remains with the relevant departments.
• Ensure proposals and agreements follow University governance, approval and legal requirements, and keep Cardiff University colleagues informed where partnerships involve wider institutional interests.
• Maintain systems for recording corporate relationships, partnership commitments and engagement outcomes.
• Provide strategic leadership for the corporate relations function, leading and developing staff as applicable, and manage allocated budgets and resources effectively.
• Develop annual operational plans, partnership priorities, performance indicators and clear targets, and prepare regular reports and recommendations for University leadership on performance, opportunities and risks.
• Promote a professional, collaborative and results-oriented approach to external engagement.

Candidate Requirements

Essential Criteria

Essential

• University degree in Business Administration, Management, Economics, International Relations or a related discipline.
• Significant senior experience in corporate relations, business development or strategic partnerships.
• Proven success building relationships with senior executives and negotiating partnerships with measurable outcomes.
• Strong understanding of Kazakhstan’s corporate environment, industries and networks.
• Experience developing strategies and partnership programmes, and managing complex stakeholders.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, strategic, analytical and planning skills, with influence at executive level.
• Excellent English and proficiency in Kazakh and/or Russian.
• Professionalism, integrity and discretion.

Desirable Criteria

• Postgraduate qualification in Business Administration, Management or a related field.
• Experience in higher education, international organisations or knowledge-intensive industries, and in multicultural environments.
• Established networks in major Kazakhstan corporate sectors.
• Experience with sponsorships, executive education or industry-funded projects.
• Understanding of university-industry collaboration and research commercialisation.
• Experience managing teams, budgets and performance objectives.

Key Competencies

• Strategic Leadership.
• Business Development and Commercial Awareness
• Relationship Management and Influence
• Collaboration and Institutional Awareness
• Delivery and Accountability
• Professional Integrity

The Head of Corporate Relations will retain responsibility for strategic corporate relationship ownership and institutional partnership development. Operational implementation of specific activities will remain with the relevant academic or Professional Services functions.