EXECUTIVE SEARCH | Academic Director

International higher education institution, recognized for its academic excellence and pedagogical innovation

At Saltor Talent we have successfully led the search for an Academic Director for a leading academic institution, with a strong international projection.

The challenge

Our client was looking for a first-rate academic profile, capable of leading the institution’s pedagogical project in a context of growth and international consolidation. The position required combining strategic vision with operational execution, ensuring both academic excellence and continuous innovation in the programs taught.

The main challenges were:

• To guarantee the correct management of the teaching staff and the quality of teaching.
• Coordinate program directors, ensuring the correct implementation of academic plans and ensuring the student experience.
• Align the pedagogical strategy with national and international accreditation standards.
• Manage a relevant academic budget, with a focus on efficiency and sustainability.
• To provide a global vision, integrating international best practices in academic management.

Our strategy

We define a search process segmented into three priority axes:

1 – Management experience in higher education

We focus on identifying candidates with a proven track record in academic leadership or program management in university or executive education institutions, capable of leading diverse teaching teams and ensuring quality standards.

2 – International knowledge and accreditations

We put special focus on profiles with mastery of accreditation frameworks and experience working in international academic environments, with mastery of several languages.

3 – Strategic leadership and orientation to the student experience

We prioritize profiles with the ability to promote the continuous improvement of the Student Experience, connecting the academic proposal with the services of Career Services and International Student Office, and with a future-oriented pedagogical vision.

The result

The process concluded with the presentation of a shortlist of highly qualified international candidates.

The person finally selected stood out for:

• His solid experience as Academic Director in higher education institutions in different countries, leading university and executive programs.
• A deep knowledge of international accreditation processes.
• Their capacity for inclusive leadership, managing multicultural faculties.
• A clear focus on continuous improvement of the student experience.

This case reinforces our experience in the search for senior management profiles in the educational field, capable of integrating pedagogical excellence, strategic vision and innovation, ensuring the sustainable growth of higher education institutions with international ambition.