Department overview

External Relations is the division responsible for delivering our University to the world and prides itself in seizing opportunities that will enhance the profile and reputation of the University. We engage with many different audiences to build purposeful relationships internally, locally, nationally, and internationally. We enable those who wish to apply to study on our courses to make informed choices. We recognise that we are strongest when we work together and take pride in upholding our core values of being ambitious, innovative, open, collaborative, and responsible.

Role Summary

The Student Recruitment Officer plays a pivotal role in driving student recruitment and enhancing the University’s reputation. Working with colleagues across the University, and externally, the postholder is responsible for the delivery and evaluation of student recruitment activities to attract and convert prospective students across undergraduate, postgraduate, and professional education markets supporting the University to build a high-quality and diverse student population and achieve its growth ambitions for 2030 and beyond.

This post will have a particular focus on delivering schools engagement activity, ensuring that College-led activity is coordinated and planned in line with University strategy.

The role may involve outbound engagement at schools, colleges, fairs, and sector events, or supporting subject-based recruitment activities within a College. The postholder will develop strong knowledge of the University’s programmes and opportunities, enabling them to communicate effectively with prospective students and advisers.

The postholder will build and maintain effective relationships and work collaboratively with key internal stakeholders, including across Student Recruitment, Marketing, Admissions, Colleges, and Professional Services. The postholder will also be expected to maintain strong working relationships with external colleagues, where appropriate.

Main Duties

1. Deliver a range of student recruitment activities and campaigns, including large-scale on-campus and online events, to help meet recruitment targets across all markets, monitoring budgets and performance.
2. Work closely with colleagues across student recruitment, marketing, admissions, Colleges, the wider External Relations division, and across the institution to ensure a coordinated and unified approach to meeting student recruitment targets.
3. This role requires flexibility, with a focus that may shift across different products and audience groups, in line with strategic priorities.

Activities, events, and delivery

1. Develop and deliver student recruitment activities and events on/off campus and online. This includes providing comprehensive event management support (e.g., logistics, venues, staffing, security, freight, catering, and accommodation).
2. Represent and promote the University to engage and convert prospective students. This will include developing and delivering presentations to schools/colleges, representing the University at Higher Education events, and ensuring a high-quality experience at Open Days and other events.
3. Work closely with teams across the University to develop and deliver subject-specific and other activity in line with recruitment strategies.
4. Train and brief staff, student ambassadors, and events teams supporting recruitment activity.
5. Where appropriate, support wider activities including Confirmation and Clearing, scholarship programmes delivery and administration, and subject interviews.

Relationship and stakeholder management

1. Act as the operational contact for schools, colleges, employers, professional bodies, partner organisations, and recruitment service providers to support recruitment pipelines, escalating issues as needed.
2. Ensure accurate capture and maintenance of contact, event, and lead data to support CRM-driven follow-up and evaluation.
3. Offer expert advice to these audiences on qualifications and student recruitment-related activities.

Market insight and evaluation

1. Contribute to market analysis and provide recommendations.
2. Monitor and regularly evaluate performance against targets and drive innovation in student recruitment activities.

Leadership and management

1. Where relevant, hold line management responsibility for staff, ensuring effective workload planning, clear objectives, and professional development to drive high performance.
2. Manage student ambassador teams/events assistants supporting recruitment events.
3. Deputise in a leadership capacity as required.

General duties

1. Act as brand champion, representing and promoting the University’s values and identity in all interactions.
2. Provide additional support to a range of activities, events, campaigns as specified by recruitment team and any other duties commensurate with the grade.
3. Willing to work occasional evenings, weekends, and travel as needed to support recruitment activities, including school engagement activity on and off campus.
4. Promote a supportive and inclusive team culture - working with discretion, demonstrate diplomacy, maintain confidentiality, and ensure compliance with GDPR, CMA, Safeguarding, OfS, and other regulations as required.
5. Promotes equality and values diversity, acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.
6. Supports the University’s sustainability agenda through resource-efficient working.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

• Educated to degree level (or equivalent qualifications) in a related field and a desire to develop your career in this area - where no equivalent qualification is held, significant practical relevant experience and expertise in a similar role will be required.
• Previous experience in a relevant role; within a large, complex organisation desirable.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills, with the ability to confidently engage large audiences through compelling presentations, and write clear, concise reports.
• Demonstratable project management skills with experience organising and delivering in-person and online events.
• Experience in using Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems and digital engagement tools with experience of Microsoft Dynamics, Gecko, or similar systems desirable.
• Proven experience in managing relationships with the ability to influence and collaborate with colleagues at all levels, across teams, and with agencies and external partners.
• Creative problem solver with a proactive and resilient approach.
• Ability to analyse and interpret data and market research, making recommendations.
• Highly organised with strong administrative skills and attention to detail under tight deadlines.
• Experience monitoring of budgets.
• Good working knowledge of standard Microsoft Office software.
• Ability to work flexibly and effectively both in a team and independently, managing multiple priorities.

Other requirements:

• Commitment to demonstrating behaviours aligned with the University and External Relations framework.
• Willing and able to