Job description
Full time
Open ended
The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 05 March 2023.
Interviews are expected to take place on Thursday 23 March 2023.
There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.
This role will require membership of the PVG scheme. An offer of employment will be subject to a satisfactory outcome of this process.
For the purposes of sponsorship, this is a role under SOC code 3543.
The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity.
The Post
Student Recruitment sits within the Directorate for Communications, Marketing and Recruitment and holds responsibility for the planning and implementation of effective recruitment strategies to grow student numbers, in line with the University’s Strategic Plan. The International Recruitment Officer will report directly to one of the regional International Recruitment Managers, with whom they will work closely.
The primary objective of the post is to support international recruitment and conversion efforts, through both online and physical activities. The post holder will work across a range of strategic projects including agent relationship and management, digital agent and EdTech recruitment platforms, international scholarships administration, and assisting with maximising student progression from INTO University partnerships. This front-facing role, requires the post-holder to possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills and to be comfortable presenting information to diverse audiences in a knowledgeable and articulate way. You will work in partnership with the wider student recruitment team to implement and deliver strategies to maximise recruitment opportunities, requiring you to review and report on all activity to ensure maximum return on investment.
Having an understanding of the broader context of recruitment across the HE sector, the post-holder will be responsible for building a strong commercial network through collaborative working practices with internal and external stakeholders.
The role will involve periods of travel overseas, as well as in the UK, when cover is required, therefore the successful candidate must be comfortable with travelling independently. Online activities can take place in relevant country time zones and candidates must also therefore be willing to work flexibly during evenings and weekends when necessary, including University Open Days. Candidates may also be asked to work on wider recruitment activity as required, and designated responsibilities may be subject to change over time in line with team/ University business objectives.
Additionally, the post-holder will be responsible for supporting and enhancing the quality of the student experience, providing information and support to enquirers, applicants and key University partners and stakeholders.
Description of Duties
The post-holder will:
- Plan, lead and deliver strategic projects to raise awareness of the University as a study destination and increase international student recruitment and conversion to meet targets
- Assist with the coordination of the University’s network of recruitment agents, including digital EdTech partners, to ensure processes are efficient and compliant with sector best practice
- Develop and implement a regular series of agent training and communications to ensure partners receive timely information on university courses, deadlines, key selling points, and other relevant news.
- Lead on organising agent familiarisation trips to campus or online agent conferences, including working with INTO Stirling on any joint agent activity and events
- Work with EdTech partners and Marketing colleagues to ensure university profiles and information are kept up to date
- Liaise and co-ordinate specific recruitment promotional activity with EdTech partners including newsletters and webinars. Produce market insights and recommendations using data resources available through partner platforms
- Co-ordinate annual agent reviews in conjunction with regional Student Recruitment Managers and ensuring sufficient record keeping for audit purposes, as well as providing regular data analysis on agent performance and produce reports for management
- Work with the student recruitment administration team to coordinate agent commission processes and payments. Identify any issues or individual queries over agent commission and work with the Head of International Recruitment to satisfactorily resolve these
- Lead on the planning, implementation, and administration of international scholarships, and produce an annual report detailing numbers of various scholarships awarded
- Act as a main point of contact for international scholarships to provide relevant information to applicants during the recruitment cycle and liaise with internal stakeholders such as Admissions and INTO Stirling, as well as external funding bodies such as the British Council
- Assist with co-ordinating INTO Stirling and Academic Faculties engagement plans and activity aimed at maximising conversion of prospective students on pathway programmes
- Assist with providing support and guidance to INTO pathway and English language programmes students during their pre-degree programme of study
- Participate in international student recruitment and conversion events, both physical and virtual, including Open Days, Applicants days, webinars, and pre-departure briefings
- Undertake overseas and UK recruitment trips as needed to provide detailed advice and assistance to individuals interested in studying at the University. This will include developing effective working relationships with a range of external stakeholders: students, parents, and teachers, to deliver presentations, workshops, and answering follow up enquiries
- Participate in any wider Student Recruitment activities and carry out other project work as required by the Head of Student Recruitment / Head of International Recruitment
Essential Criteria
- Educated to degree level or equivalent
- Relevant and recent work experience in a student recruitment or marketing environment
- Demonstrate understanding of higher education recruitment and marketing
- Strong communication and presentation skills with the ability to engage a diverse audience
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills to communicate effectively with a wide range of people, including academic staff, students, parents and University partners
- Excellent interpersonal skills, including ability to build relationships, and to be applicant/customer-focused, and to represent the University utilising cultural sensitivity and diplomacy
- Strong numeracy and analytical skills
- Ability to work proactively, achieving targets and project work with limited guidance
- Creative and positive attitude
- Good organisational abilities, with the ability to prioritise a demanding workload in a pressurised environment
- Experience of successfully working in a team, as well as independently
- Good working knowledge of Windows IT packages
- Knowledge and experience of social and electronic media communication methods
- Willing to adopt a flexible approach to work and to work unsocial hours, weekends or occasional public holidays as required
- Excellent attention to detail
- Able to spend extensive periods working away from home
- Demonstrable experience of developing and providing excellent customer care
- Willingness to positively participate in the wider activities of Communications, Marketing and Recruitment
- Successful PVG clearance, or willingness to apply for PVG clearance
- A passport holder or be eligible to apply for a passport
Desirable Criteria
- Experience of working within Higher Education, particularly in a recruitment or admissions context
- An understanding of current issues relating to higher education
- Experience of interpreting and compiling reports involving data
- Marketing qualification and/or an understanding of the principles of marketing, preferably in a student recruitment role
- Proven research and analytical skills
- Experience of living overseas for work or study, or experience of extensive overseas travel
- Possess a full driving licence and be confident and able to drive in the UK and overseas
Behaviours and Competencies
The role holder will be required to evidence that they can meet the qualities associated with the following behavioural competencies, as detailed within the AUA Competency Framework.
- Managing self and personal skills
Being aware of your own behaviour and mindful of how it impacts on others, enhancing personal skills to adapt professional practice accordingly.
- Delivering excellent service
Providing the best quality service to external and internal clients. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up service standards.
- Finding solutions
Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation.
- Embracing change
Being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles.
- Using resources effectively
Identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets.
- Engaging with the wider context
Enhancing your contribution to the organisation through an understanding of the bigger picture and showing commitment to organisational values.
- Developing self and others
Showing commitment to own ongoing professional development. Supporting and encouraging others to develop their professional knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential.
- Working together
Working collaboratively with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process.
- Achieving Results
Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.
About Us
Communications, Marketing and Recruitment encompasses: Corporate Communications, Media Relations, Internal and Corporate Communications, Public Affairs, Marketing, Web and Digital Media, and International, UK and European Student Recruitment, and Admissions and Access.
In delivering the strategic priorities of the University, we support the enhancement of the University’s reputation for excellence in the student experience, teaching and learning, and high-quality research with global impact.
The Directorate provides a wide range of services to internal and external stakeholders and works closely with the University’s senior management team and across all faculties and professional support services. By adopting an integrated holistic approach to our work, we ensure the University’s strategic messages are effectively conveyed and understood by our stakeholders across all communications platforms.
The University
The University of Stirling is committed to providing education with a purpose and carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe – addressing real issues, providing solutions and helping to shape society. Stirling is 4thin Scotland and 43rdin the UK for research impact, with 87% of its research having an outstanding or very considerable impact on society – and more than 80% rated either world leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021). Interdisciplinary in its approach, Stirling’s research informs its teaching curriculum and facilitates opportunities for knowledge exchange and collaboration between staff, students, industry partners and the wider community.
The University of Stirling is ranked among the top 30 UK universities for student satisfaction (National Student Survey) and top 10 in the UK for postgraduate student experience (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey), and has an overall five-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings.
More than 17,000 students study with the University of Stirling globally, with over 120 nationalities represented on its scenic central Scotland campus alone. The campus – also home to 1,700 staff – has its own loch and castle, and a recent multi-million-pound redevelopment has delivered modern, flexible, and digitally connected study and social spaces at the heart of campus, including enhanced student support and retail and catering outlets.
The University has twice been recognised with a Queen's Anniversary Prize – the first for its Institute for Social Marketing and Health (2014) and the second for its Institute of Aquaculture (2019). Stirling is Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence and its recently redeveloped world-class facilities provide the perfect training environment for the University’s sports scholars – many of whom compete at the highest level, including at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games – and for students, staff, and the wider community.
As a signatory to the £214 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal, the University is driving productivity and inclusive growth across the Forth Valley, and beyond. Through pioneering collaborative solutions to global challenges, researchers are putting innovation, skills, and partnership at the heart of a sustainable economic recovery.
www.stir.ac.uk@stiruni
Job Reference: SERV01634