Student Recruitment Manager (Outreach) in Manchester

The Opportunity

We are seeking an inspiring and engaging Student Recruitment Manager (Outreach) to lead one of our three outreach teams. Based in Manchester, you will shape and elevate our outreach activity across key regions, ensuring that young people from all backgrounds understand and can access the opportunities higher education provides.

Lead and develop a team of Student Recruitment and Widening Participation Officers and a Student Recruitment Assistant — driving performance, and fostering an engaging, collaborative culture. Oversee relationships with your portfolio of schools and colleges, while also supporting your officers in client‑managing around 40 institutions each. Deliver impactful outreach, including talks, workshops, fairs, and targeted activities for key feeder institutions both locally and nationally. Own major outreach initiatives, such as our outreach webpages, schools and colleges newsletter, UCAS/UKUniSearch events, and teacher & adviser CPD programmes. Use data and insight to track outcomes, demonstrate value for money, and continuously enhance the effectiveness of our outreach offering. Have good knowledge of the Degree Apprenticeships – as one of your Student Recruitment Officers leads on Degree Apprenticeship Outreach for schools and colleges. Represent the University at internal and external events, acting as a subject‑matter expert and ambassador for the Manchester Met student journey. Work collaboratively across the Student Recruitment Team to support key activities like open days, confirmation and clearing etc. This is a hands‑on management role requiring regular travel and flexibility, including evenings and some weekends.

About You

You thrive in environments where strategy meets delivery, and where your leadership directly shapes access, aspiration, and student success. Proven expertise in post‑16 outreach and high‑quality client management. Strong analytical capability, able to interpret complex datasets, identify patterns, and translate insight into clear actions and improvements. Outstanding communication skills, with the ability to influence, persuade, and engage diverse audiences—from senior stakeholders to teachers, students and parents. Experience of leading and developing a team, applying people policies confidently and supporting colleagues to excel. A good understanding of the Manchester educational landscape and Manchester Met's position within it.

Manchester Metropolitan University fosters an inclusive culture of belonging that promotes equity and celebrates diversity. We value a diverse workforce for the innovation and diversity of thought it brings and welcome applications from all local and international communities, including Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, and LGBTQ+ individuals. We support a range of flexible working arrangements, including hybrid and tailored schedules, which can be discussed with your line manager. If you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process or in your role, please let us know so we can provide appropriate support. Our commitment to inclusivity includes mentoring programmes, accessibility resources, and professional development opportunities to empower and support underrepresented groups. Manchester Met is a Disability Confident Leader and, under this scheme, aims to offer an interview to disabled people who apply for the role and meet the essential criteria as listed in the attached Job Description for that vacancy.