Student Recruitment Manager - External Relations - 48693Z26 - Grade 7

Position Details

• Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK
• Grade: 7
• Contract: Full Time, Fixed Term – up to June 2027
• Closing date: 23rd June 2026
• Salary: Full‑time starting salary normally in the range £36,636 to £46,049, with potential progression to £48,822 upon confirmation.

Benefits

• 40 days paid holiday per year plus one day for volunteering
• Occupational sick pay
• Pension scheme
• Subsidised day nurseries
• Flexible working arrangements, including occasional evenings and weekends

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver a range of student recruitment activities and campaigns in line with strategies, including large‑scale on‑campus and online events to meet recruitment targets across all markets, managing budgets, monitoring performance, and ongoing optimisation throughout the recruitment cycle.
• Coordinate closely with student recruitment, marketing, admissions, colleges, and the wider External Relations division to ensure a coordinated and unified approach to meeting student recruitment targets.
• Conduct market analysis, provide market insight and strategic recommendations, and monitor and evaluate performance against targets.
• Lead the planning, delivery, and evaluation of student recruitment activities and events on and off campus and online.
• Represent and promote the University at schools, colleges, and Higher Education events; deliver presentations, and ensure a high quality experience at Open Days and other events.
• Oversee the recruitment, training and management of student ambassadors and event assistants.
• Support conversion activity across all markets, ensuring timely, targeted and evidence‑informed follow‑up communications and events.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with key internal and external stakeholders – schools, colleges, employers, professional bodies, partner organisations, and recruitment service providers.
• Identify and develop opportunities to engage with schools through talks, taster sessions and inbound visits.
• Ensure effective capture and maintenance of lead and engagement data to support CRM‑driven follow‑up and conversion activity.
• Hold line‑management responsibility for staff, ensuring effective workload planning, clear objectives, and professional development to drive high performance.
• Represent student recruitment on University committees and meetings, and deputise in a leadership capacity as required.
• Act as a brand champion, promoting and representing the University’s values and identity in all interactions.
• Provide additional support to a range of recruitment and marketing activities, events, and campaigns as specified by the recruitment team.
• Work occasional evenings, weekends, and travel as needed, including school engagement activities on and off campus.
• Promote a supportive and inclusive team culture, demonstrating diplomacy, discretion, and ensuring compliance with GDPR, CMA, Safeguarding, OfS, and other regulations.
• Support the University’s sustainability agenda by working in a resource‑efficient manner.

Qualifications & Experience

• Educated to Degree level (or equivalent qualifications) with relevant practical experience in a large, complex organisation.
• Exceptional presentation and communication skills, with the ability to engage large audiences through compelling presentations and to write clear, concise reports.
• Demonstrable project management skills with experience organising and delivering in‑person and online large‑scale events.
• Experience using Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems and digital engagement tools; working knowledge of Microsoft Dynamics CRM desirable.
• Proven experience in managing relationships and influencing across teams, agencies and external partners.
• Proven experience in line management, including responsibility for performance, development and wellbeing of direct reports.
• Creative problem‑solving skills with a proactive and resilient approach.
• Ability to analyse and interpret data and market research, applying insights to recruitment strategies.
• Highly organised with strong administrative skills and attention to detail under tight deadlines.
• Experience managing budgets and negotiating with stakeholders.
• Good working knowledge of standard Microsoft Office software.
• Ability to work flexibly and effectively both in a team and independently, managing multiple priorities.

Other Requirements

• Commitment to demonstrating behaviours aligned with the University and External Relations framework.
• Willing and able to travel extensively across the UK, including during evenings, weekends, and overnight stays as required.
• Valid UK driving licence and/or ability to travel independently often during unsociable hours.
• DBS clearance required.
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010 and the ability to actively ensure equal treatment for those with protected characteristics.

Contact

Informal enquiries: Stephen Allmark, email s.j.allmark@bham.ac.uk