Head of Learner Recruitment

Job Title: Head of Learner Recruitment

Hours of work: circa 37.5 hours per week

Salary: Competitive

Benefits: Site based (Huddersfield) + remote working*

Nature of contract: Full time (pro-rata for part time appointee)

Duration: Permanent

Start date: January 2026

Responsible to: CEO

Responsible for: Learner Recruitment (UK, Global, organisational)

Key Contacts: Colleagues all areas of the Institute, and key external partners Learner

Non-Contractual Nature of Role Profile: This role profile is non-contractual and provided for

guidance. It will be updated and amended from time to time in accordance with the changing

needs of the University Centre and the requirements of the job.

PURPOSE OF ROLE

The is a senior position in the Business Development & Engagement team to provide effective

leadership and management of the overall Learner Recruitment function. The role will lead and

support the development, implementation, enhancement and delivery of all aspects of the

University Centre's Learner Recruitment Strategy, including development and delivery of

recruitment activity and events, reporting and forecasting Learner numbers and targets, and

development of the portfolio of programmes and courses to meet Learner demands.

Team Specific:

• Lead on the development and execution of UK Learner recruitment strategy

• Design and implement a range of quality, innovative physical and digital events and

activities to achieve learner targets by maximising recruitment potential, improving

conversion, including through organisation-based activities

• Maintain a strong knowledge and professional level of expertise of the University

Centre's programme and market demand, to forecast demand of current and/or new

programmes

• Act as the institutional lead for market intelligence, providing data and insights for new

programme development

• Recommend and implement appropriate recruitment/ marketing strategies suitable for

different types of organisations (e.g.: HEIs, corporates)

• Lead the University Centre's learner recruitment forecasting through regular in year

reviews, collaborating and influencing the Curriculum & Quality Assurance Team, and

the Business Development Team, supported by clear data and actionable findings to

drive strategic decision making that ensures financial projections are realised

• Monitor and react to competitor development and activity, including potential fee

adjustments

• Work closely with key stakeholders within and outside the organisation to oversee and

coordinate effective recruitment activities that are applicant focused, inclusive, and that

supports recruitment targets

• Manage the recruitment budget, including monitoring the impact of activities

• Lead the recruitment functions ensuring compliance with internal, partner and

regulatory requirements and expectations, ensuring a smooth and seamless experience

from enquiry through to acceptance

• Monitor internal and external developments relating to technological, administrative,

and legislative changes impacting learner recruitment, and lead the University centre's

responses to these changes in liaison with key stakeholders

• Assist in the development of programme specific strategies to improve recruitment

• Represent the University Centre on working groups and committees, internally or

externally, as required from time to time.

Generic:

• Act as a leader and demonstrate the University Centre's shared values and behaviours

• Effective communication skills, both verbal and written, ensuring effective working

partnerships are forged and maintained using appropriate communication which is

understood by all parties

• Must be a key public ambassador for the University Centre

• Must be competent and comfortable when explaining to customers/stakeholders why a

particular approach has been used which is evidence based and easily understood.

• Set personal and organisational objectives against functional area.

Managing Self:

• Shows awareness of own world view whilst demonstrating a positive attitude towards

cultural differences, cross-cultural working and communication and problem -solving

• Communicate at all levels, disseminate technical and non-technical aspects to non

specialists and be a reference point for role related information

• Always maintain a professional approach through the application of effective leadership

and management skills

• Manage work effectively and deliver under pressure

• Work with other staff effectively to maximise self and overall performance

• Support other colleagues within the Business Management and/or Curriculum and

Quality Assurance teams, as needed, to achieve strategic recruitment objectives linked

to their own performance

Core Requirements:

• Be the University Centre's expert for Learner Recruitment.

• Instil confidence in Management and in the Business Engagement and Curriculum &

Quality Assurance teams through relevant knowledge and professional judgement, and

through recruitment and conversion activities and success.

• Personal skills of integrity, diplomacy, presence and commitment.

• Represent the University Centre as ambassador events and activities commensurate

with this role.

• Culturally competent strategic leader driven by targets and results

• To be commercially astute: finding balance between sales and learner experience.

• Possess outstanding communication and presentational skills.

• Develop or possess expert understanding of UK Government Policy and associated

agencies as regards learner recruitment.

• Adhere to and promote the University Centre's EDI policies.

• Ensure compliance with Health & Safety regulations.

Additional Requirements:

Willingness and ability to deliver against reasonable work-related requests made by the CEO/

Deputy CEO

This is a strategic, professional and demanding role within a small and ambitious organisation.

The role holder will be expected to show flexibility in working arrangements, including working

hours, to ensure that they achieve against their targets and expectations and that of the wider

Business Development & Engagement team.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS:

• Achieve year-on-year growth of between 25-50% in learner recruitment

• Achieve a strong and growing pipeline of prospects: 25% - 50% year on year conversion

• Achieve admissions agreed processing service levels

• Achieve recruitment targets whilst maintaining agreed entry standards

• Recruitment of a combination of UK-based, international-based and organisation-based

cohorts (at least two organisation-based cohorts per year on at least one programme)

• Produce regular reports on recruitment performance and areas for improvement.

• Use CRM systems and data analytics to monitor performance, forecast trends, and

inform decision-making.

Application period: 27th October – 17th November

Interviews: 24th November and 1st December

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) statement

We're committed to building rich diversity into our workforce at all levels, to ensure that we

understand and are representative of the communities and customers we serve.

We do not discriminate against anyone. We pride ourselves on our collaborative, vibrant and

high-performance culture which embraces everyone, celebrates uniqueness, and enables

everyone's voice to be heard.