Job Number
BU03899 School/Department
International Education Centre Grade
9 Contract Duration
Permanent Responsible to
Director of Global Engagement Purpose of the Job This is a key role, working with the Director of Global Engagement in the delivery of the University’s Global Engagement Strategy, with a particular and immediate focus on the recruitment of international students and development of current and new international markets.
The post holder is responsible for developing and executing activities to achieve international student recruitment targets, developing existing and future international targets and ensuring a smooth and effective integration with the University’s Admissions process.
The post holder is also expected to work closely with the Deputy Director of International Partnerships to ensure that partnerships and pathway providers feed into the recruitment plans, and the Head of Alumni and Development regarding how best to build on the global alumni community.
The post holder is responsible for developing and implementing international recruitment and associated marketing strategies and ensuring appropriate market diversification.
Reporting to the Director of Global Engagement, liaising with colleagues across the university and working with external stakeholders, the post holder will engage with academic schools, professional services, the university’s agent network and partners to ensure that the international student recruitment activities are effectively co-ordinated and delivered, and aligned with the University’s international strategy.
The post holder is expected to manage resources effectively and efficiently, and with a view to maintain quality in our service levels and provision. This post holder will also work collaboratively with the wider Global Engagement Office. The post holder will be expected to be able to work independently, using their networking skills and initiative to develop new recruitment initiatives and partnerships whilst adhering to the University’s approval processes.
The post holder will have considerable experience of international recruitment within a HEI as well as political awareness and ability to build and maintain effective global corporate relationships. Experience of leading and managing diverse teams to deliver whole University strategic projects is a key aspect of this role, ensuring colleagues work towards agreed objectives and targets and deliver results.
The post holder will possess excellent communication, negotiation, organisational skills and initiative to ensure that the most efficient and effective systems are in place to support achieving the international strategy.
The postholder will work flexibly to accommodate the requirements of this senior role and will be required to undertake significant travel and represent the University both in the UK and overseas as required. Main Duties and Responsibilities Work with the Director of Global Engagement to translate the International Strategy into deliverable operational plans, monitoring and evaluating performance against agreed targets and timely reporting of progress of results and outcomes.
Drive a market led approach to managing the recruitment and conversion functions, using market intelligence, benchmarking and other insights to implement best practice from the sector in nurturing and developing a high performing international recruitment and conversion function at the university.
Creating and leading recruitment activity to generate business and identify new recruitment markets and channels, ensuring continual development of new business and sustainability of existing channels.
Create and deliver region-specific marketing and recruitment plans and campaigns in collaboration with key stakeholders.
Drive the work required to meet or exceed targets including advising on opportunities for new programme developments to tap into new market demand.
Lead the implementation of the University’s Agent Recruitment and Management Policy and the UK Agent Quality Framework (AQF) Pledge Action Plan, ensuring that the University’s network of agents is properly trained and engaged and that all parties endorse and adhere to the standards embodied within the National Code of Ethical Practice and maintain currency in sector good practice.
Strategically lead the renewal, update and management of agent contracts in line with government regulations, policies, directives or sector-led performance initiatives, including authorising commission payments.
Recruitment, co-ordination and monitoring of a network of agents appointed by the University to support international recruitment activity.
Manage the performance of the University’s recruitment agents including setting performance expectations, tracking performance, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, delivery of training, and effective management of contracts and payment of agents’ commission.
Ensure ongoing evaluation of the impact of international student recruitment activity, assessment of ROI, production of reports and improvement proposals with regards to issues and policies relating to international student recruitment.
Provide effective leadership, development and performance management of the International Recruitment and overseas teams working collaboratively with colleagues cross the University to drive growth of international students at the university.
Lead the analysis of competitor activities and market trends to optimise University resource and build brand awareness to support recruitment.
Produce regular market updates and insights to inform new product development, creating a competitive edge in priority markets.
Take responsibility for the co-ordination, operational management, and development of international recruitment activity with schools and colleges, ensuring existing activity and opportunities are appropriately evaluated, recorded and communicated across the university, and that all activities comply with the University regulatory and due diligence requirements.
Identify emerging risks to the University’s recruitment targets and formulate plans to mitigate risks by managing across the breadth of the University’s international recruitment activity.
With the International Marketing and Conversion Manager, explore, scope and drive effective use of systems, including CRM systems, to manage lead generation and deliver professional and robust account management approaches, using dashboards to evidence progression and outcomes.
Utilise strategic insight, expertise and sector knowledge to inform programme development, pricing, student number planning and forecasting. Other Duties and Responsibilities Support and contribute to the development and implementation of the University's Alumni Strategy Internationally, overseeing and organising overseas events as requested when in country.
Provide regular updates on the implementation of the International Recruitment strategy to the Director of Global Engagement, Vice-Provost (Global Engagement) and Regional Engagement and relevant committees/working groups as required.
Work with the University Marketing team and the International Marketing and Conversion Manager to ensure that international marketing and publicity activity is co-ordinated and complies with CMA guidance and best practice across the sector.
Work with the University Marketing team and the International Marketing and Conversion Manager to ensure that international marketing and publicity activity is co-ordinated and complies with CMA guidance and best practice across the sector.
Maintain an exceptional awareness of the external market to drive strategic developments to grow income to the University.
Ensure our core activity delivers a positive student experience at all times and there is a focus on constant improvement.
Lead and develop high performing teams, building a culture of cross-institution collaboration and driving continuous improvement.
Financial responsibilities for pay and non-pay budgets.
Represent the University at a senior level, developing relationships with senior stakeholders across the education sector and key regional and government bodies.
Undertake representational duties for the University overseas.
Undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade of the post, as may be required by the Director of Global Engagement.
The post holder will be expected to participate in performance review and developmental activities.
The post holder will be expected to comply with the University equal opportunities policies, Dignity at Work and Study Policy and the University’s Welsh Language Policy and the Welsh Language Standards.
The post holder has a general and legal duty of care in relation to health, safety and wellbeing and must take all reasonable steps to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for him/herself and for other members of staff, students and visitors affected by his/her actions or inactions.
The post holder is also required to comply with all applicable health and safety policies, procedures and risk assessments.
The post holder must comply with relevant legal and financial policies and procedures and be aware of their responsibilities in terms of the legal requirements of their posts. Person Specification Education
Essential Degree level or equivalent qualifications.
Evidence of ongoing continual professional development relevant to international student recruitment. Desirable Membership of a professional body/professional qualification as appropriate.
Postgraduate qualification. Skills/Experience
Essential: Cultural awareness and understanding and provision of excellent customer service to stakeholders.
Evidence of entrepreneurial expertise, able to identify new opportunities and develop creative and innovative solutions.
Excellent leadership skills and motivational skills with a strong team building focus.
Ability to work across teams, drawing on relevant expertise and ensuring oversight of key institutional strategies relating to international students.
Self-motivated and proactive in approach to challenges and opportunities.
People development capability with a strong continuous professional development orientation.
Able to operate in a structured yet complex and challenging environment. Desirable Ability to speak another language other than Welsh and English. Knowledge
Essential
Significant recent experience of working in UK Higher Education.
Significant experience and high-level expertise in international student recruitment, marketing and international agent management, with an understanding of admissions processes and legal and compliance implications associated with international student recruitment.
Significant knowledge and understanding of the opportunities and risks presented by international student recruitment activities.
Knowledge of systems policies and legislation about the area of student immigration from offer stage through to graduation.
Significant demonstrable experience of delivering growth (in student numbers and revenue) in a Higher Education environment in relation to International Student Recruitment.
A strong understanding of the HE International Student recruitment landscape including key markets and competitor activity.
Experience of working collaboratively with stakeholder organisations/ external agencies/ professional bodies and/or employers relevant to the service.
Experience of managing and co-ordinating resources and demonstrable experience of working with regulatory processes and governance systems.
An understanding of other problems/issues relevant specifically to international students. Knowledge of the working practices of relevant external bodies, e.g. UUKi, BUILA, UKCISA, UKVI.
Ability to leave a change management agenda and to embrace new ways of working.
Experience of leading and managing staff, ensuring colleagues work towards agreed objectives and deliver results.
Understanding of financial management and ability to manage and control budgets, resources and funding. Desirable A track record of change management and delivery of innovative solutions.
Evidence of successful bid writing to secure external funding and management and reporting of any finance received. Personal attributes
Essential Proven sensitivity to cultural issues relating to international liaison work.
Proactive, innovative and professional approach.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the proven ability to write and
present persuasively to a wide variety of audiences.
Ability to work as an effective team member to support the wider University Strategy and to work collaboratively to persuade and influence strategic direction.
Willingness to work flexibly to meet the demands of the job.
Willingness to undertake significant overseas travel.
Other
Essential
The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If applicants are not able to speak / write in Welsh at present, there are many opportunities to learn if the successful candidate wishes to do so.
GENERAL We are a member of Advance HE's Athena SWAN Gender Equality charter and hold a Silver award in recognition of our commitment to and progress towards gender equality within the University's policies, practices, and culture. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.
All members of staff have a duty to ensure their actions are in line with the overall environmental aims of the University and minimise their environmental impact.
All offers are made subject to proof of eligibility to work in the UK and receipt of satisfactory references.
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