Head of International Student Recruitment Operations

Job Description

Job title: Head of International Student Recruitment Operations

Company: University of Stirling

Job description: Student Recruitment sits within the Directorate for Communications, Marketing and Recruitment (CMR) and holds responsibility for the planning and implementation of effective recruitment strategies to grow student numbers, in line with the University’s Strategic Plan.

The Head of International Recruitment (Operations) is a key appointment to support the delivery and achievement of the University’s Strategic Plan. The post will lead a team of specialist international recruitment staff (in Stirling and overseas), and work in partnership with colleagues in professional services, faculties and with key external stakeholders and partners to develop, monitor and deliver our international recruitment objectives and targets.

Reporting to the Head of International Recruitment, the post holder will lead the international recruitment team to deliver on a range of initiatives and activities across priority and emerging markets in line with the University’s strategic objectives and KPIs.

The successful candidate will be target driven, have a track record of increasing international student numbers, possess a detailed knowledge of several key recruitment markets, and be able to demonstrate a thorough understanding of the current international student recruitment context in the UK.

The role will involve significant periods of overseas travel. Candidates must be comfortable travelling independently and be willing to work flexibly during evenings and weekends when necessary.

Description of Duties

• Support the Director of Student Recruitment and Admissions and Head of International Student Recruitment in providing leadership for the international undergraduate and postgraduate recruitment and conversion process
• Line manage international recruitment regional managers, including overseas-based recruitment teams, ensuring recruitment priorities and associated activities in current and emerging markets are clearly aligned with the University’s Strategic Plan, and effectively impacting on annual targets
• Lead on the operational implementation of the University’s international recruitment strategy to maximise recruitment and revenue growth in line with KPIs and targets
• Work closely with colleagues in faculties, admissions and marketing, in shaping and delivering the recruitment cycle
• Support the development and implementation of recruitment and conversion plans
• Monitor and report on trends and developments across priority and emerging markets to inform the University’s recruitment strategy; identify growth and business development opportunities and respond effectively to emerging issues
• Collate, analyse and interpret market-related data to report on performance against targets, provide insights and make recommendations to meet recruitment objectives
• Carry out budget forecasts, monitoring, evaluating and reporting on spending, ensuring sound budgetary and financial management
• Ensure effective operational management of the University’s network of overseas agents, reporting on performance in line with the expectations set in the BUILA Agent Quality Framework
• Provide support, guidance and advice to faculties and divisions to develop and deliver recruitment plans in line with faculty and University objectives to drive student recruitment growth
• Work collaboratively with third parties, including agent aggregators, and QS Enrolment Solutions, to enhance and develop our approach to lead generation, enquiry management and conversion
• Oversee the management of external relationships with school counsellors, partners (including those responsible for promoting the INTO University of Stirling pathway programmes) and other external bodies to ensure effective representation of the University in priority markets
• Prepare management information, identifying areas of market research to inform the development of courses and services to support recruitment strategies
• Represent the University externally, attending meetings and sitting on Committees with Scottish, UK and overseas sector colleagues and other educational institutions, government and external bodies e.g. British Council
• Plan, organise and participate in inward visits (conferences/presentations /workshops) designed to inform and motivate a range of stakeholders, including prospective students, agents and partners, school counsellors and representatives from UK and overseas governments or funding bodies
• Provide leadership and support for key institutional events such as Open Days and Applicant Days, and ensure the delivery of business requirements for such events
• Participate in the activities of the wider Directorate and carry out other duties, project work or representational duties as directed by the Head of International Recruitment and Director of Student Recruitment and Admissions
• Participate in UK and overseas travel as required

Essential Criteria

• A first degree, ideally complemented by relevant higher qualifications, professional qualifications or continuing professional development
• Successful and demonstrable track record within international student recruitment in a comparable higher education environment
• Demonstrable evidence of performance delivery against student recruitment targets
• Proven interpersonal skills, including leadership, negotiation, influencing and relationship building
• Strong understanding of the opportunities and challenges affecting UK Higher Education in terms of student recruitment and international partnership development
• Experience of line management within higher education and proven ability to lead and motivate staff
• A committed mentor, people developer and team builder with a confirmed capability to work effectively in a team-based organisation, collaborate cross-functionally and internationally, exercise influence at all levels and build alignment around a common vision
• Strong communication skills combined with a high degree of cultural sensitivity
• Able to convey complex concepts and strategies, verbally and in writing
• Excellent communication skills, strong personal presence, well developed presentational skills with an ability to negotiate successful outcomes
• Confident working with data and excellent analytical skills
• Understanding of the importance of service delivery and policy development, and willingness to work with colleagues across the University to maximise corporate performance in this area
• Willingness to undertake significant independent travel for recruitment purposes
• Willingness to positively participate in the wider activities of Communications, Marketing and Recruitment
• Highly organised with meticulous attention to detail
• A passport holder or be eligible to apply for a passport
• Successful PVG clearance, or willingness to apply for PVG clearance
• Possess a full driving licence and be confident driving in the UK and overseas

Desirable Criteria

• Postgraduate qualification in a relevant discipline

Behaviours and Competencies

The role holder will be required to evidence that they can meet the qualities associated with the following behavioural competencies, as detailed within the AUA Competency Framework.

• Managing self and personal skills

Being aware of your own behaviour and mindful of how it impacts on others, enhancing personal skills to adapt professional practice accordingly. * Delivering excellent service

Providing the best quality service to external and internal clients. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up service standards.

• Finding solutions

Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation. * Embracing change

Being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles. * Using resources effectively

Identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets. * Engaging with the wider context

Enhancing your contribution to the organisation through an understanding of the bigger picture and showing commitment to organisational values. * Developing self and others

Showing commitment to own ongoing professional development. Supporting and encouraging others to develop their professional knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential. * Working together

Working collaboratively with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process. * Achieving Results

Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.

About Us

Communications, Marketing and Recruitment encompasses: Corporate Communications, Media Relations, Internal and Corporate Communications, Public Affairs, Marketing, Web and Digital Media, and International, UK and European Student Recruitment, and Admissions and Access.

In delivering the strategic priorities of the University, we support the enhancement of the University’s reputation for excellence in the student experience, teaching and learning, and high-quality research with global impact.

The Directorate provides a wide range of services to internal and external stakeholders and works closely with the University’s senior management team and across all faculties and professional support services. By adopting an integrated holistic approach to our work, we ensure the University’s strategic messages are effectively conveyed and understood by our stakeholders across all communications platforms.

The University

The University of Stirling is committed to providing education with a purpose and carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe – addressing real issues, providing solutions, and helping to shape society. Stirling is 4th in Scotland and 43rd in the UK for research impact, with 87% of its research having an outstanding or very considerable impact on society – and more than 80% rated either world leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021).

The University of Stirling is ranked among the top 30 UK universities for student satisfaction (National Student Survey) and top 30 in the UK for postgraduate student experience (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey), and has an overall five-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings.

More than 17,000 students study with the University of Stirling globally, with over 140 nationalities represented on its scenic central Scotland campus alone. The University – also home to 1,700 staff – is ranked first in the UK and top three in the world for its campus environment (International Student Barometer 2022, wave two). Ranked first in the UK and top five in the world for its sports facilities (International Student Barometer 2022, wave two), Stirling is Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence. Its world-class facilities provide the perfect training environment for the University’s sports scholars – many of whom compete at the highest level, including at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games – and for students, staff, and the wider community.

The University has twice been recognised with a Queen’s Anniversary Prize – the first for its Institute for Social Marketing and Health (2014) and the second for its Institute of Aquaculture (2019).

The University is a signatory to the £214 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal and a central partner of the Forth Valley University College Health Partnership.
@stiruni

Expected salary:

Location: United Kingdom

Job date: Sun, 14 Jan 2024 08:14:27 GMT

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