Director of Student Recruitment & Admissions

We are looking for a Director of Student Recruitment & Admissions to play a key cross-institutional leadership role in ensuring the University’s financial sustainability, on and off campus student recruitment and income growth. This role has overall responsibility for driving the delivery of our holistic, data-driven student recruitment strategy, aligned with our Vision 2028 Strategic Framework and Growth & Diversification sub-strategy – showcasing the strengths that set the University of East London apart and securing a bright future.

University of East London  is a vibrant and diverse institution committed to transforming the lives of students through exceptional education and career-focused opportunities. We’re proud to be recognised as the University of the Year for Teaching Quality in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025. UEL is also ranked 1st in London for Student Experience in the National Student Survey 2024 and 3rd in London for Teaching Satisfaction in the Guardian University Guide 2025.

About the Job
 In this highly visible role, you’ll work with senior leaders and teams across the University to set and achieve student recruitment targets. You’ll provide strategic leadership for multi-disciplinary recruitment teams to ensure modern and efficient practices which promote student recruitment/outreach and access, as well as optimising conversion and the student journey in the UK and around the world. You’ll also lead on the admissions strategy, embedding an effective offer protocol that underpins student recruitment, business engagement and network-building priorities. Working closely with marketing teams, you’ll develop and deliver the integrated end-to-end student recruitment marketing, campaign and conversion strategy and lead on strategic outreach and engagement activities, building partnerships and managing stakeholders.

About You 
 You’re a driven, dynamic, customer and results-focused individual with relevant sector experience and a track record of success. A persuasive communicator at all levels, you have the credibility to inspire at senior level and as the University’s external spokesperson. With the skills, emotional intelligence and resilience to thrive on challenges and deliver exceptional leadership under pressure, you have entrepreneurial flair, a desire to seek out innovative solutions – including in digital and new/emerging technologies – and an expectation that the team will strive to move marketing and recruitment frontiers forwards.  

Your strong understanding of the complexities of large higher education organisations, and the local and national policy landscape, is matched by your ability to develop policy, initiate organisational change and implement vision. You also have a strong grasp of how regulations in this sector impact marketing and student recruitment, as well as the analytical skills to drive and influence decision making.

What you’ll need to thrive:

• A track record of working in or alongside the higher education sector (or commercial organisations) at senior level in a student recruitment role.
• A proven ability to achieve success at Senior Management level and to lead a high performing team. 
• Extensive experience of leading, developing and implementing student recruitment strategies in domestic and international markets, with a record of delivery against stretching targets.
• Strong business acumen and experience of managing complex large-scale operations within budget and to target.
• Ideally, previous experience of leading alumni relations engagement activities – and of developing, implementing and monitoring outreach and engagement strategies with wide stakeholder groups.
• Experience of managing high-level client relationships.
• Significant experience of leading and managing a team, including development of talent to deliver strategic objectives.
• Demonstrable ability to think strategically, deliver organisational strategy and gain ‘buy-in’ from relevant internal stakeholders, including staff.

About the External Relations Directorate 
 The integrated, multi award-winning directorate brings together teams including Brand & Marketing, Communications & Public Relations, Corporate Engagement & Advancement, Student Recruitment & Conversion (home and international), Admissions, Outreach & Access, Design and Digital.

We want leaders who can play a part in embedding innovative practice and a digital first mindset in our external relations function. We seek individuals who not only enjoy working in an agile environment but can also embrace new technology and transformational change. Together, we aim to cultivate a culture of 'continuous next', staying updated with emerging technologies and best practice across the sector. 

Benefits Package
 Here at UEL we understand it’s about more than just a salary. It’s about the entire package on offer along with our outstanding work environment and inclusive culture. We know the market rates for this vacancy and will offer a genuinely competitive salary DOE.

We care deeply about your wellbeing and our benefits includes: 20% pension (4% from you, 16% from us), 30 days holiday, plus 3 days over Christmas and bank holidays, and we’re always open to consider flexible working arrangements. We have a subsidised gym membership, 3 times base salary life assurance, a cashback healthcare scheme and wide variety of other generous benefits including discounts on: Apple and Samsung products, holidays, clothing, fitness, lifestyle, dining out and weekly shopping. https://uel.ac.uk/benefits-professional-services-management-grade-positions

How to Apply: 

Please submit your application, attaching your CV and Cover Letter by midnight on 30^th March.

Equal Opportunities
 UEL is an inclusive equal opportunities employer and are proud of our Equality, Diversity, and Inclusivity achievements, including: zero gender pay gap, members of Stonewall and have won Athena Swan awards. We expect all employees of UEL to accept our EDI policy and will not tolerate discrimination in any form.

So, if you’d like to take your career to the next level with us here at the University of East London and are inspired by our environment and committed to success, we want you to apply today!