Post Title: Executive Director of Student Recruitment, Admissions, and Compliance
Salary: Competitive + Benefits   
Mode: Full Time, Permanent

JOB DESCRIPTION

Purpose

This is a critical role for the Coventry University Group, overseeing and managing all aspects of the international student recruitment journey for all the Group’s directly managed campuses. The post-holder is responsible to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Global) and will work closely with the Provost, CEO CU Academic Services Ltd and Global Director of Marketing to support the delivery and growth of UK recruitment. The role will entail significant responsibility for setting and managing targets, budgets, planning, and delivering the efficient use of financial and staff resources to achieve agreed goals.  Skilled leadership will be essential to ensure that staff remain inspired and motivated to seek continuous improvement and innovation. The post holder will also have specific responsibility for providing leadership and direction across the Group on matters relating to immigration compliance and the Group’s Highly Trusted Sponsor status.

The post-holder is a member of the Group Leadership Team (GLT) and will be required to attend a range of Governing Board meetings and sub-committees; providing regular formal reports, presenting the Group perspective, and seeking approval for strategic projects as required.

The post-holder will be employed by Coventry University Academic Services Ltd.  CUAS provides the Academic Services function to the University Group.

Main Duties and responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of the Group-wide student recruitment strategy covering UK and international markets
• To be accountable for the delivery of agreed student recruitment targets.
• Work with the Vice-Chancellor & Chief Executive, Provost and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Global), Group Marketing Director and other members of the senior team to develop, support and monitor implementation of the Corporate Plan for the Group, providing regular, appropriate management information and progress reports in relation to the key targets, goals, and risks, including expenditure against budgets.
• Leadership of the identification, assessment, development and diversification of new markets and channels, ensuring robust intelligence informs investment decisions and growth forecasts.
• Provide strategic oversight of UK and international sales channels, ensuring they are optimised and performance-driven.
• Lead the international recruitment and admissions functions to ensure maximum efficiency in the delivery of the corporate plan.
• Set, monitor and deliver ambitious Group enrolment targets with full accountability for recruitment KPIs.
• To work with the Global Director of Marketing to ensure the delivery of efficient admissions processes for home students.
• Provide strategic oversight of resource allocation and budgeting across the functions for which the role has responsibility, ensuring excellent financial management and operational efficiency
• Strategic lead for compliance with regulatory and legislative requirements associated with the Group’s Highly Trusted Sponsor Status.
• Oversee and direct the development of comprehensive and cohesive business plans across the business unit, providing support and guidance as appropriate to functional leads of Recruitment, Admissions and Sponsor Compliance.
• Lead the strategic development of admissions, pipeline management, conversion, sales and recruitment for UK and International Admissions, ensuring processing and operational efficiency.
• Direct, drive and oversee the recruitment function and engagement with Group-wide projects including but not limited to the development of overseas branded Campuses, Online provision, Progression Framework development etc.
• Build and manage relationships with agents, schools, colleges, pathway providers, corporates and government bodies both in the UK and internationally.
• And to undertake any other duties commensurate with the scope and spirit of the Job Description, title, grade, and status of the post, as deemed necessary, across Coventry University Group.

Personal Attributes/Experience

• Experience of operating in a highly regulated environment
• Demonstrable strong commercial experience – with tangible track record in delivering against aggressive international sales targets, managing large operating budgets, cost containment and revenue generation
• Experience of driving sales through effective sales funnel and process optimisation approaches and strategies
• Cross cultural experience and background in leading teams that are geographically dispersed
• Demonstrate that they understand how they can deliver sales growth in a compliant manner
• Accomplished stakeholder manager with experience of working with a wide range of stakeholders.

Supervision 

The post-holder is responsible to the DVC (Global) (line manager), Provost, CEO (CUAS) and to the relevant Boards and Committees of the University Group. They will work closely with: Provost, College Deans, PVC CUG and Global Director of Marketing.

Supervision Given

Divisional Lead and Director of Student Recruitment and Divisional Lead and Director of Global Admissions, Compliance and Quality Assurance.

Contacts

• Vice-Chancellor & Chief Executive
• Board of Governors
• Provost
• Deputy Vice-Chancellors
• Pro-Vice-Chancellors
• Group Directors of Professional Services
• External representatives including but not limited to the Home Office and other regulators, Government and Corporate Sponsors and senior executives of recruitment partners globally
• Senior staff across CURAS
• Staff at varying levels across Coventry University Group

Coventry University Group is seeking an experienced, commercially focused and globally minded leader with the following profile:

• A proven track record of delivering growth in international student recruitment, higher education or a comparable global, regulated sector
• Experience operating in highly regulated environments, with a clear understanding of compliance and risk alongside commercial delivery
• Demonstrable success in achieving ambitious targets, managing large budgets and driving revenue growth
• Strong expertise in sales pipeline management, conversion and performance optimisation, with the ability to use data and insight to inform strategy
• Experience of leading large, geographically dispersed teams, driving performance and alignment across multiple markets
• A highly effective stakeholder manager, with the ability to build credibility and influence at senior levels internally and externally
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and persuasively
• Strong analytical capability, able to interpret data and translate it into actionable plans

You will also demonstrate:

• A collaborative and inclusive leadership style, combined with the confidence to make decisions and take accountability
• Resilience, adaptability and sound judgement in a fast-paced, complex environment
• The ability to lead through change and drive continuous improvement
• A relevant degree or postgraduate qualification
• Flexibility to travel internationally and work outside standard hours when required