Associate Director - UK Recruitment

A career opportunity for an ambitious UK student recruitment specialist in Higher Education

About this role

We are seeking a dynamic leader to drive our UK student recruitment across undergraduate, postgraduate, apprenticeships and skills provision.

The Associate Director - UK Recruitment role will lead delivery of ambitious targets for student numbers, income, diversity and conversion - building a strong, sustainable pipeline across school leavers, graduates, apprentices and lifelong learners. The role will shape and deliver a joined-up approach to recruitment, aligned to evolving learner behaviours, employer needs and the opportunities presented by the Lifelong Learning Entitlement.

This is a key role in advancing our ambitions for widening participation, regional impact and skills development - positioning the University as a provider of choice for students and employers alike.

Principle accountabilities:

• Strategy and Growth
• Undergraduate and Postgraduate Recruitment
• Apprenticeships, Skills and Employer Engagement
• Marketing, Outreach and Recruitment Campaigns
• Regional and Stakeholder Engagement
• Leadership and Team Management
• Performance, Insight and Planning

About you

You are an experienced higher education recruitment leader with a strong track record of delivering growth across undergraduate, postgraduate and/or apprenticeship markets.

You understand the UK recruitment landscape - from UCAS and schools engagement to postgraduate conversion, employer partnerships and emerging flexible learning models - and use insight, data and CRM to drive performance.

You are a strategic thinker and collaborative leader, confident at building relationships across schools, colleges and employers, while leading teams to deliver against ambitious targets.

Analytical, influential and outcomes-focused, you bring the energy and credibility to turn strategy into results, with the ability to manage a high-performing, student-focused recruitment operation.

About us

You will be joining a highly professional, committed and student focused academic community. We are a university where people matter. We value collegiality, inclusivity and shared endeavour, and are fully committed to our students, our staff and our wider communities.

In addition to your salary we offer a competitive reward package with a range of staff benefits and discounts. 

Enquiries are welcomed by Olivia McLaughlin; Chief Operating Officer and University Secretary via Executive Officer; Melissa Francis, m.francis@chi.ac.uk

• Closing Date: Monday 1^st June 2026
• Interview Date: 8^th, 9^th or 10^th June 2026

Prior to submitting your job application kindly ensure you have considered and can demonstrate your right to work in the UK.

All new external appointments are employed by Chichester Staff Services Ltd (CSSL). Internal appointments remain with their existing employer.

If you require any support with completing your application, please contact the recruitment team; staffrecruitment@chi.ac.uk

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion at every level because we believe a diverse workforce benefits us all.

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