Head of Applicant Experience

Would you like to lead and influence applicant experience in the largest provider of placed applicants through UCAS in 2022? Following a restructure in our Admissions team due to a significant increase in overall applications, Canterbury Christ Church University now seeks a solution-focused Head of Applicant Experience. We believe it to be one of the most exciting jobs in Higher Education Admissions right now due to the pace, potential and scale.

The role is crucial. It carries a high level of autonomy and the chance to work right across the organisation. It is an especially interesting role since we handle a huge variety of applications at Canterbury Christ Church University, from UK and international students (undergraduate and postgraduate) through to our growing number of partner institutions. We offer professional programmes across health and education too, as well as places at our Kent Medical School, jointly run with the University of Kent.

The Opportunity

The Head of Applicant Experience reports to our Assistant Director (Admissions) and leads a small team. Their key areas of responsibility are collaborative applications (working with our partner institutions), refining and developing admissions processes and leading the University’s Clearing Enquiry Service. In all cases, the focus is on creating a high-quality experience to all applicants, from course set up through to acceptance. Our Head of Applicant Experience also engages closely with UCAS and DfE changes, CMA compliance, OfS conditions of registration, international/national entry qualifications and both UK and international partnership developments to make sure we have our finger on the pulse of any developments that will impact on admissions.

The Head of Applicant Experience is a key interface with Registry, Student Systems and Planning, working to provide a seamless student experience as the applicant record transfers to the student record. They work collaboratively across the Undergraduate Admissions, Postgraduate Admissions and Compliance teams. It is also a strategic role, proactively leading systems and processes enhancements to improve the applicant experience and setting policy related to the quality of the applicant record.

Who are we looking for?

We are keen to hear from people with experience of admissions in Higher Education at team leader or management level, who are excited to lead an area focused on applicant experience. Experience of developing and applying policy, procedures and regulations and of improving systems and processes is extremely relevant. We welcome compassionate leaders, who nurture and support their team, warm colleagues who build excellent working relationships and strategic thinkers, able to see new ways of improving what we do and come up with solutions. The role is busy and sometimes can be pressured – but if you work in admissions, you know that already!

Sound knowledge of the following would be highly valuable:

• SITS Tribal, particularly the Marketing and Admissions components
• UCAS/UCAS Teacher Training business rules and managing link products

Anderson Quigley is acting as an advisor to Canterbury Christ Church University. A search process is being carried out by Anderson Quigley in addition to the public advertisement. Should you wish to discuss the role in strict confidence or for details on how to progress your application, please direct all enquiries to our advising consultants:

Akhil Yerneni: akhil.yerneni@andersonquigley.com or +44 (0)7808 649 556

Daisy Hill: daisy.hill@andersonquigley.com or +44 (0)7596 954 388