Director of Student Recruitment & Outreach

Director of Student Recruitment and Outreach
Imperial College London

Founded in 1907, Imperial is one of the world’s leading universities for science, engineering, medicine and business, renowned for the excellence of its research, education and innovation and for its global reach and impact. Throughout our history, we have sought not only to be a world-leading university, but a world-changing one, using discovery, innovation and entrepreneurship to tackle the greatest challenges facing humanity.

Our strategy, Science for Humanity, is ambitious and positions Imperial as a force for good in the world. It sets out how we will shape the future through the power of science, technology and talent, and how we will attract, nurture and champion the best local, national and global talent wherever it is found.

People are at the heart of Imperial’s success. Through Imperial Together, we are creating an inclusive environment in which everyone can fulfil their potential, guided by our values of Respect, Collaboration, Excellence, Innovation and Integrity.

We are now seeking to appoint a Director of Student Recruitment and Outreach to provide strategic leadership for Imperial’s UK and international student recruitment, widening participation, outreach and recruitment events activity at a particularly important moment of growth for the university.

Reporting to the Chief Marketing and Recruitment Officer, the Director of Student Recruitment and Outreach will lead the development and delivery of an integrated recruitment and outreach strategy that supports Imperial’s ambitions around global reach, diversification, access and long-term sustainability. The role provides leadership across UK Recruitment and Outreach, International Student Recruitment and Recruitment Events, ensuring a joined-up and candidate-focused approach across all areas of engagement.

This is a highly visible leadership role within one of the world’s most internationally recognised universities. Working closely with colleagues across the university, the postholder will play a central role in shaping how Imperial attracts and engages exceptional students from across the UK and around the world.

The role combines strategic leadership with operational delivery. You will lead ambitious, insight-led recruitment and outreach activity across domestic and international markets, helping Imperial to widen participation, strengthen market diversification and deliver an exceptional pre-enrolment journey for prospective students. You will also work closely with colleagues across the institution to ensure recruitment activity is aligned with Imperial’s broader strategic priorities, student experience ambitions and evolving global context.

A central focus of the role will be advancing Imperial’s commitment to access, participation and social mobility. The successful candidate will lead outreach strategies and partnerships that support talented students from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds to engage with Imperial, while ensuring robust evaluation, continuous improvement and strong alignment with institutional and regulatory priorities.

The Director of Student Recruitment and Outreach will also play an important role in horizon scanning, market insight and strategic planning, helping Imperial respond effectively to changing geopolitical, regulatory and recruitment trends internationally. The role therefore requires an individual who combines sophisticated recruitment expertise with strong organisational leadership, stakeholder engagement skills and a genuine enthusiasm for innovation and continuous improvement.

We are seeking an accomplished and collaborative leader with substantial experience of student recruitment leadership within a large and complex organisation, ideally within a research-intensive higher education environment. You will bring strong expertise in international recruitment, widening participation and diversification strategies, alongside the credibility and presence to influence at senior level across a globally respected institution.

This is an outstanding opportunity to shape the future direction of student recruitment and outreach at a world-leading university with global ambition, reach and impact.

How to Apply & Further Information

Anderson Quigley is acting as an advisor to Imperial and further details are available here:
Imperial College London – Director of Student Recruitment & Outreach | AQ

For a confidential discussion, please contact:

Kiersten Avery at kiersten.avery@andersonquigley.com  or +44 (0)7510 384 735 or Elyse Turner-Pearce at elyse.turner-pearce@andersonquigley.com or
+44 (0)7808 648 559.

The closing date for applications is 3^rd July 2026

We are committed to equality of opportunity, to eliminating discrimination and to creating an inclusive working environment for all. We therefore encourage candidates to apply irrespective of age, disability, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion and belief, gender reassignment, sex, or sexual orientation. We are an Athena SWAN Silver Award winner, a Disability Confident Leader and a Stonewall Diversity Champion.