Founded in 1912 as an all-girls school, Queen Ethelburga’s has a rich history rooted in academic excellence and warm community spirit.
The school moved from Harrogate to its current 220-acre site near York in 1991, centring around the historic Thorpe Underwood Hall — once home to poet and novelist Anne Brontë. Following the move, the school extended its provision to all genders and opened Explorers Nursery, Chapter House and King’s Magna.
While QE embraces innovation, it also honours its past with treasured traditions. Students celebrate the school’s birthday each October with a traditional buffet lunch, followed by the cutting of the cake with a sword and singing Auld Lang Syne. Other cherished events include the Christmas Carol Concert at Ripon Cathedral, School Ghost Night, and singing around our iconic Christmas tree.
Today, Queen Ethelburga’s is a leading co-educational independent day and boarding school for students aged 3 months to 19 years. We welcome students from across the UK and over 40 nationalities worldwide, creating a rich, inclusive campus culture in the heart of rural North Yorkshire.
Queen Ethelburga’s is divided into four schools:
Our curriculum is forward-thinking, incorporating the latest technology, including AI education and qualifications that prepare students for modern careers (see our BTEC course on Esports). We offer traditional academic routes as well as vocational options, all underpinned by our academic aim: to build skills for lifelong learning and future success.
Families choose Queen Ethelburga’s for our tailored approach, modern ethos, strong academic outcomes, and deeply caring environment. Rated the best value co-educational independent school by The Telegraph, we offer:
Student Life
We aim to:
Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate is an independent mainstream boarding and day school for girls and boys aged from 3 months to 19 years. The Collegiate welcomes diversity of staff, workers, volunteers, students, parents, and applicants. The term Collegiate Community includes staff, students, parents, visitors, external contractors, and providers hired by the Collegiate (e.g., school excursion providers) and volunteers. Diversity is recognised and respected. The Collegiate recognises the benefits of having a diverse Collegiate Community, with individuals who value one another, and the different contributions everyone can make.
Students will be taught fundamental British values of tolerance and mutual respect and to value others from whatever social, religious, or ethnic background. The Collegiate is committed to being an equal opportunities education provider and is committed to equality of opportunity for all members of the Collegiate Community. In the provision of equal opportunities, the Collegiate recognises and accepts its responsibilities under the law and opposes discrimination, including based on:
Set in the heart of North Yorkshire, our school campus is where magic meets excellence.
Located just off the A59 between York and Harrogate, QE is a private school in the UK countryside offering space, safety, and stunning surroundings. We provide bus routes that span over 40 miles of Yorkshire, including Doncaster, Leeds and Northallerton. Think stunning English architecture, open green spaces, cutting-edge classrooms, Premier League-level sports facilities, and newly refurbished boarding. Plus a brand-new outdoor activity centre. You have to see it to believe it, click here to take our virtual tour.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate is seeking an ambitious, commercially aware, and internationally minded Director of International Relations to lead the school’s global recruitment and international marketing strategy.
The role oversees recruitment across all international student-facing programmes, including summer schools, holiday courses, academic enrichment, and short-term immersion programmes, while line-managing the Overseas Recruitment Managers to deliver coordinated recruitment activity across key global markets.
Working closely with the Communications Manager and Commercial Director, the successful candidate will play a key role in strengthening the school’s international profile, safeguarding and enhancing its global brand reputation, driving sustainable enrolment growth, and supporting long-term strategic objectives. Acting as the Collegiate’s senior advisor on international strategy, reporting to the Registrar, Senior Leaders and Governors, shaping long-term global positioning, market diversification, brand reputation and sustainable revenue growth.
The postholder will be based in the UK with an essential on-site presence at Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate when not travelling overseas.
Strategic Leadership for Global Marketing & Recruitment
• Lead a unified international recruitment strategy across full-time, short-term, and seasonal programmes.
• Identify priority markets using data, competitor analysis, and global education trends.
• Shape and strengthen Queen Ethelburga’s international brand positioning.
• Represent the Collegiate at global exhibitions, conferences, and partner events.
• Provide strategic insight and reporting to the Registrar, Senior Leadership Team, and Governors.
• Contribute to long-term development of the Marketing & Admissions function.
Leadership of Overseas Recruitment Managers
• Lead, coach, and performance-manage the Overseas Recruitment Managers.
• Set market-specific targets and monitor progress against KPIs.
• Ensure consistent regional recruitment strategies and messaging.
• Promote a relationship-led approach to international recruitment, fostering long-term engagement with families, educational partners and agents to build trust, advocacy and future recruitment opportunities.
• Manage recruitment budgets and ensure effective use of resources.
• Share market intelligence to inform strategic decision-making.
Full-Time International Admissions
• Ensure recruitment strategies maintain a strong focus on attracting students who are an excellent academic, pastoral and cultural fit for the Collegiate, supporting a balanced and diverse international student community.
• Oversee the full international admissions pipeline from enquiry to enrolment.
• Build and manage global agent and partner networks.
• Ensure a high-quality customer experience for prospective families.
• Drive enquiry conversion and international student recruitment growth.
• Work with SLT to set annual recruitment targets and forecasting.
Marketing & Recruitment for QE Collegiate, Short-Term and Seasonal Programmes
• (Summer Schools, Holiday Courses, Short Programmes)
• Lead marketing and recruitment strategies for all termly and short-term student programmes.
• Develop market-specific plans and manage supporting agents and partners
• Lead data-driven digital campaigns to maximise enquiries, programme occupancy, conversion and return on investment, using CRM insights, market intelligence and performance analytics.
• Oversee production of marketing materials, including multilingual content.
• Monitor performance and adjust strategy to optimise revenue and capacity.
• Align recruitment activity with operational delivery in collaboration with the Commercial Director and Registrar.
Global Marketing, Brand & Communications
• Lead global marketing activity across digital, print, PR, and events.
• Deliver multilingual and culturally tailored campaigns for international audiences.
• Develop region-specific messaging and creative direction.
• Ensure campaigns are culturally relevant and tailored to key international markets and platforms, maximising engagement across priority regions.
• Commission and manage creative assets including photography, videography, and prospectuses.
• Protect and enhance the Queen Ethelburga’s brand across all global touchpoints.
• Ensure all international communications reinforce the Collegiate’s reputation for academic excellence, exceptional student experience and premium market positioning.
Leadership, Collaboration & Budget Management
• Support the Registrar in developing team capability, collaboration, and operational effectiveness.
• Mentor colleagues across marketing, admissions, and international recruitment.
• Manage budgets and demonstrate strong ROI across recruitment and marketing activity.
Data, Insights & Compliance
• Use CRM systems, sophisticated pipeline analytics, market intelligence and predictive data to drive recruitment strategy, improve conversion, optimise return on investment and support informed decision-making.
• Monitor recruitment performance across key international markets, using data to identify emerging opportunities and inform strategic investment.
• Maintain awareness of regional digital communication platforms and evolving international marketing trends to maximise engagement across priority markets.
• Monitor competitor activity and emerging trends in international education.
• Produce regular reports for the Registrar, Senior Leaders, Strategic Team, and Collegiate Board.
• Oversee UKVI compliance, safeguarding standards, and relevant regulatory requirements.
The post holder’s responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons for whom s/he is responsible, or with whom s/he comes into contact will be to adhere to and ensure compliance with the Collegiate’s Child Protection Policy and Staff Code of Conduct at all times. If, in the course of carrying out the duties of the post the post holder becomes aware of any actual or potential risks to the safety or welfare of children in the Collegiate s/he must report any concerns to the Collegiate’s Designated Safeguarding Lead.
Anderson Quigley is acting as an advisor to Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate. An executive search process is being carried out by Anderson Quigley in addition to the public advertisement.
The closing date for applications is 21 August 2026
Applications should consist of:
Should you wish to discuss further details about the role in strict confidence, please get in touch with:
www.qe.org 