Head of International Student Recruitment

• Escape Studios, London (North Greenwich). Hybrid working, 2 days per week on-site.
• Competitive salary + performance related bonuses + long-term incentive / equity potential

About Escape Studios:

Escape Studios is one of the UK’s leading animation, games and VFX schools, supplying the industry with studio-ready talent. Our courses are designed and delivered with industry experts within a welcoming, close knit and successful community.

Our world class industry partners include Industrial Light & Magic, Framestore, DNEG, Milk VFX, Creative Assembly, Cinesite and Blue Zoo. Additionally, our partnership with Epic Games means we’re also one of the UK’s only Unreal Authorised Training Centres.

Approved and endorsed internationally as a Rookies and Houdini certified school, we offer a range of undergraduate, postgraduate and short courses. Our ‘Escapees’ have worked on award winning TV series such as Stranger Things and Obi-Wan Kenobi, along with Oscar and BAFTA nominated films such as Avatar: Fire and Ash, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, The Batman, Elvis, Top Gun: Maverick, The Banshees of Inisherin and bestselling games Assassin’s Creed, Uncharted 2 and Forza Horizon.

This combination of industry recognition, studio partnerships and proven outcomes makes Escape one of the most contemporary, influential and industry-ready creative education providers in the market.

What is the role?

We’ve always believed in backing creativity with commercial focus, and we’d like our new Head of International Student Recruitment to play to those strengths. Reporting to the Director of External Relations, you will take ownership of our international student recruitment strategy and lead it from plan to delivery.

This is a role with equal amounts of strategic scope and hands on responsibility. You will identify priority markets (e.g. China and India, amongst others), build and strengthen agent networks, and develop sustainable pipelines of international students. At the same time, you will remain close to delivery, working directly with agents, partners and prospective students to ensure momentum and results.

You will inherit a function that has been established and energised over the past 18 months, and your focus will be to build on that progress, bringing structure, pace and driving the next phase of growth. Working closely with colleagues across marketing, admissions, student services and academic teams, you will ensure that international recruitment activity is aligned, responsive and delivers a high quality applicant experience.

Why is this role different?

There is real scope here to shape how Escape presents globally. Whether that is through expanding into new territories, deepening partnerships, or exploring new routes to market, your ideas will be welcomed and backed wherever and whenever they can demonstrate impact.

Importantly, this is a role with visibility and influence. You will work closely with senior leadership, contribute to wider strategic planning, and play a key part in how Escape grows its international presence over the coming years. For a high performing individual who delivers, there is also a clear opportunity for the role to evolve in scope, seniority and remuneration over time (for example, into a Director of International Student Recruitment role).

Our ideal candidate profile:

• An experienced international student recruitment leader, ready to take ownership of a growing function.
• A proven track record of delivering international student growth within UK higher education.
• Strong experience of working with and managing agent networks.
• Exposure to key international markets such as India, China or other high growth regions, with a clear understanding of how to prioritise and develop them.
• Comfortable operating in a target and KPI driven environment, with the ability to use data, insight and judgement to inform decisions and drive growth.
• A commercially aware self-starter who is equally comfortable setting strategy and delivering ISR activity, particularly in environments with leaner resource.
• An entrepreneurial and confident communicator, able to build strong relationships internally and externally while representing Escape with credibility in international settings.

Terms and package:

• Competitive salary in line with market expectations, with flexibility for an outstanding candidate + performance related bonuses + the potential for longer-term incentives or equity.
• Hybrid working pattern, typically two days per week on site in North Greenwich + occasional international travel.
• Pension with 3% employer contribution, with the option to salary sacrifice.
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, rising by one day per completed year of service up to a maximum of 30 days plus bank holidays.
• Further benefits currently under review include access to a dental plan, an employee assistance programme and life insurance.
• Full-time preferred, although 0.8 FTE may be considered for an exceptional candidate.
• Start date flexible, from immediate to up to three months’ notice (with the opportunity for handover with the current postholder).

How to apply:

Please click on the apply button below.

Should you also wish to discuss the role further or for details on how to progress your application, please direct all enquiries to our advising consultants:

• Eva Tomka: eva.tomka@andersonquigley.com
• Akhil Yerneni: akhil.yerneni@andersonquigley.com

Anderson Quigley is acting as an advisor to Escape Studios. A search process is being carried out by Anderson Quigley in addition to the public advertisements. The closing date for applications at present is 12 noon on 7th April, although shortlisting and initial conversations may take place on an ongoing basis. Whilst all applications before the closing date will be given a fair opportunity and every single applicant will get a response, we do encourage early expressions of interest.