Student Retention Manager - Maternity Cover

Location: Multiple Campuses

Please note this role is for a fixed term period to provide maternity cover.

Birmingham City University is a large and diverse place to study right in the heart of the city. An opportunity has arisen for a Student Retention Manager to join the newly established Student Advice & Community team in a fixed-term capacity. You will be part of a highly motivated and compassionate team, delivering high quality, effective and student centred, advice, guidance and support to our diverse student body. 

The Student Retention Manager leads the university’s operational approach to improving student continuation through effective data-informed interventions. The postholder manages teams of retention officers and coordinators who monitor student attendance and engagement data, contact students to understand barriers to attendance, and signpost to support. The role works closely with Timetabling, academic colleagues, and other student-facing services to drive proactive, collaborative retention strategies and support a consistent and supportive experience for all students.

Please note that due to the student-focussed nature of this role, a minimum of 3 days on site is required, with potential to work across multiple campuses. 

The Student Retention Manager will - 

• Lead and manage the retention team to monitor attendance and engagement data and deliver high-quality student interventions.
• Develop and maintain effective workflows for contacting students who are not engaging, ensuring timely and supportive communication.
• Work closely with Timetabling colleagues to ensure the attendance monitoring platform operates effectively and aligns with institutional needs.
• Collaborate with academic staff, particularly personal tutors, to support and escalate retention concerns appropriately.
• Provide regular data and analysis to Deans of School, course leaders and senior colleagues to prompt academic-led interventions.
• Ensure team members are trained to provide accurate advice and effective signposting to student support services.
• Support the development and refinement of the university’s retention strategy based on trends and insights from attendance data.
• Represent the retention function on internal working groups and projects focused on improving student success and continuation.
• Develop and maintain relationships with professional service colleagues to ensure alignment of support and communication strategies.
• Experience managing teams, ideally with those teams delivering a customer or student facing service 
• Experience of utilising data to inform decision making and monitor performance
• Excellent communication, with the ability to build strong stakeholder relationships 
• Experience of working with systems to gain data and insights 
• An understanding of how to apply continuous improvement to a fast-paced, ever changing landscape
• Understanding of student support structures in higher education, and the current barriers facing students

Closing Date: 23.59 hours GMT on Thursday 18 December 2025

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