Director of International | University of Wolverhampton

Director of International University of Wolverhampton

Lead the transformation of international recruitment at the University of Wolverhampton.

• Location: Wolverhampton/Hybrid (with extensive international travel)

The opportunity exists to join the University of Wolverhampton as Director of International and play a leading role in shaping the future of our global recruitment activity. Reporting to the Executive Director of Recruitment, Admissions and Marketing, you will drive sustainable international growth, broaden market diversification, enhance conversion performance and help build our international reputation in an increasingly competitive global environment.

Working alongside colleagues across recruitment, marketing, admissions, academic schools and international partnerships, you will lead a significant programme of change that places quality, compliance, insight and student experience at the heart of international recruitment.

The University of Wolverhampton is seeking a strategic and ambitious international recruitment leader to help deliver the next phase of our international strategy and realise the significant opportunity that exists across global markets.

International recruitment is a strategic priority for the University. We are looking for a leader who can improve the performance of our international recruitment function, diversify our market portfolio, increase conversion throughout the recruitment journey and establish a more sustainable approach to international growth.

This role offers a rare opportunity to shape institutional strategy, influence senior decision‑making and lead a talented team through a period of transformation. You will combine commercial awareness with sound judgement, helping us balance growth ambitions with compliance, quality and long‑term sustainability.

Who we are

The University of Wolverhampton supports more than 42,000 students across our campuses and global partnership network. We are the fastest‑growing university in the UK, based on UCAS acceptances and one of the fastest‑rising universities in the recent Guardian University Guide. Our growing international footprint and five‑star QS rating reflect both the quality of the student experience we provide and the increasing global recognition of our institution.

Our international ambitions are driven by a desire to build sustainable, high‑quality growth. Our diversified income model, secure foundations and commitment to continuous improvement provide an excellent platform from which to develop our international activity and expand our presence across priority markets around the world.

Our values underpin everything we do. We are accountable, resilient, inclusive and ambitious, and we are looking for a leader who will embody these values while helping shape our international future.

About the role

The Director of International will lead the strategic development and delivery of international student recruitment across the University and play a central role in achieving our international ambitions.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Recruitment, Admissions and Marketing, the postholder will lead our international recruitment, conversion and in‑country teams while working closely with colleagues across the University to deliver sustainable growth and market diversification.

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing and delivering the University’s international recruitment strategy, driving sustainable growth through improved conversion, market diversification and data‑informed decision‑making.
• Strengthening and optimising the University’s international recruitment channels, including oversight of agent performance, accountability and compliance.
• Enhancing the University’s international profile and market presence across key global territories.
• Building closer alignment between international recruitment, transnational education, partnerships and wider institutional priorities.
• Leading, developing and inspiring international recruitment and conversion teams through a period of transformation.
• Working collaboratively across the University and representing the institution nationally and internationally, building productive relationships with academic colleagues, partners, agents and other key stakeholders.

This is a highly visible leadership role with the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the University’s international success and future direction.

Who we are looking for

We are seeking an experienced and credible international recruitment leader who can combine strategic vision with operational delivery.

You will bring significant experience of international student recruitment within higher education and a proven track record of delivering growth, improving performance and leading organisational change. Equally important will be your ability to build trusted relationships, influence senior stakeholders and lead teams through transformation.

You will bring to the role:

• Significant experience of international student recruitment within a UK higher education environment, with a proven track record of delivering growth and associated income.
• A detailed understanding of the international recruitment landscape, including market trends, competitor activity, market diversification and UKVI compliance requirements.
• Experience developing international markets, managing agent networks and optimising a range of recruitment channels.
• Highly developed analytical capability, with the ability to use data, market intelligence and insight to inform strategy, improve performance and manage risk.
• Experience leading, developing and motivating teams through periods of change, creating high‑performing and accountable cultures.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the credibility to build trusted relationships and influence senior academic leaders, executive colleagues and external partners.
• Commercial acumen combined with sound judgement, balancing growth ambitions with quality, compliance and long‑term sustainability.
• The ability to think strategically while maintaining a focus on operational delivery and measurable outcomes.

This role is likely to appeal to an established Head of International Recruitment, Associate Director, Deputy Director or comparable senior leader seeking broader strategic influence and the opportunity to lead a significant institutional transformation agenda.

Welcome from the Interim Executive Director of Recruitment, Admissions and Marketing

Dear Candidate,

Thank you for your interest in joining the University of Wolverhampton as our new Director of International.

We have ambitious plans for our international activity and see significant opportunity to strengthen our global presence, diversify our recruitment markets and welcome more students from around the world to Wolverhampton. This role will be central to delivering that ambition.

We are looking for a leader who will bring deep expertise in international student recruitment alongside the strategic insight and judgement needed to navigate a rapidly evolving sector. You will play a key role in shaping how we grow internationally, ensuring our decisions are informed by evidence, underpinned by compliance and focused on long‑term success.

There are strong foundations already in place. Collaboration across Recruitment, Admissions and Marketing continues to develop, and there is a genuine appetite across the University to enhance our international activity and global profile. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to bring these strands together, strengthen relationships across the institution and help create a more connected approach to international engagement.

This is also an opportunity to shape the future of the international recruitment function itself, developing our people, refining our operating model and ensuring we are well positioned for sustainable growth.

If you are excited by the opportunity to lead a significant transformation programme and make a lasting contribution to the University’s international future, I would be delighted to hear from you.

I look forward to meeting you.

Melanie Fowler
Interim Executive Director of Recruitment, Admissions and Marketing

A university with purpose, ambition and global reach

The University of Wolverhampton is a modern, ambitious and globally connected university. With a community of over 2,000 staff, we combine a strong commitment to widening participation and social mobility with an increasingly international outlook, preparing graduates to succeed in a rapidly evolving global economy.

The University has built a strong reputation for student success, innovation and impact. Recognised with QS Five Stars and ranked as the top university in the West Midlands in the Whatuni Student Choice Awards (WUSCAs), we are committed to delivering an outstanding student experience while continuously evolving to meet the needs of students, employers and society.

We are actively reshaping the University for the future through a significant programme of strategic investment, portfolio development and campus transformation. This includes the creation of outstanding teaching and learning environments, modernised facilities and a renewed focus on disciplines aligned to future workforce, economic and societal needs. These developments are designed to strengthen our competitiveness, enhance the student experience and support sustainable growth for decades to go.

Research and knowledge exchange are central to our mission. More than half of our research was recognised as world‑leading or internationally excellent in REF 2021, while recent Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF6) results placed the University among the strongest performers nationally, with High or Very High ratings across five of the seven areas assessed.

Internationalisation is a key component of our strategy. The University has established partnerships across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East, supporting collaborative research, transnational education and student mobility. As we continue to diversify recruitment markets and expand international engagement, we are strengthening our global reputation and creating new opportunities for students and partners worldwide.

Underpinning this ambition is a clear vision for the future: a university that is innovative, agile and globally relevant, while remaining true to its mission of transforming lives through opportunity and education. Through continued investment in people, partnerships, facilities and academic excellence, the University of Wolverhampton is positioning itself for its next phase of growth and impact.

The Director of International will join the University at an exciting moment in its journey. As international activity becomes increasingly central to institutional success, the role will provide strategic leadership for global recruitment, partnership development and market diversification, helping to shape the University’s international future and accelerate sustainable growth across key markets.

The University is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible environment for all staff, students, and visitors. We recognise disability, including neurodivergence, under the Equality Act 2010 and aim to ensure that all disabled people are supported, respected, and able to participate fully in university life.

We do not tolerate disability‑related harassment, abuse, or discrimination, and we provide reasonable adjustments to remove barriers wherever possible. Staff and students have the right to choose whether to disclose their disability, and support is available for those who do.

The University continually works to anticipate the needs of disabled people, promote equality, and ensure accessibility across our teaching, services, facilities, and accommodation.

We offer the following amenities:

• Step free access to the building, all key meeting rooms and bathrooms, and an accessible workstation
• Accessibility dogs are welcome
• Interviews can be held in meeting rooms that support hearing loops
• Papers and materials can be presented in different formats
• A sign language interpreter can be accessed for interview
• Working patterns and locations can be adjusted

Further Information

We have a Disability Equality Action Plan that was co‑created with the Disabled staff network and input from the Student Accessibility, Disability and Inclusion Team.

• Ensures the line manager and the member of staff have a record of the adjustments that have been agreed.
• Reduce the need to re‑assess adjustments every time a member of staff changes jobs, are relocated or are assigned a new manager.
• Provide the line manager and the member of staff with the basis for future conversations about adjustments.

If you require any job information in an alternative format (e.g. large print), please contact the lead consultant. Please also let us know if you would like to submit your application in an alternative format.

Applicants with disabilities are welcome to contact us in confidence at any stage of the recruitment process to discuss any reasonable adjustments or support that may be required to ensure fair and equal participation.

Recruitment selection processes are based on evidence of competence stated in the person specification and in relation to our values.

Timetable

Closing date: 9 a.m. Monday 30th November 2026
Candidates informed of outcome: 5 p.m. Friday 4th December 2026
Interviews: Thursday 10th / Friday 11th December 2026

The information will be treated confidentially and anonymously and will help us to support our commitment to fair recruitment practice. All information provided will be held in the strictest confidence and will not be shared with anyone, in line with the Data Protection Act 2018.

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