Head of Admissions

Location: London (with travel to other campuses when required)

About Fairfield School of Business 

Fairfield School of Business (FSB) is an ambitious, community-focused higher education provider committed to making high-quality higher education accessible to people from all backgrounds. Working with UK university partners, FSB delivers industry-relevant programmes to a diverse student community, including many learners taking non-traditional routes into higher education. 

Widening participation and equality of opportunity are central to our mission. We are seeking an exceptional Head of Admissions to lead and shape this critical area of the School, combining strong leadership, regulatory awareness and analytical capability with a commitment to excellent applicant experience. 

Job Purpose 

The Head of Admissions is responsible for the strategic leadership, management and continuous improvement of the Admissions function at FSB. The postholder will ensure a high-quality, efficient, fair and compliant admissions service, delivering an excellent applicant experience while maintaining academic standards and admissions integrity. 

The role will lead the Admissions Team, develop admissions strategy, monitor and analyse performance, maintain effective relationships with university and academic partners, support widening participation and Access and Participation objectives, and ensure compliance with FSB policies, partner requirements and relevant Office for Students (OfS) regulatory requirements. 

Strategic Leadership and Performance 

• Develop and implement FSB's admissions strategy in alignment with institutional objectives, recruitment plans and academic priorities.
• Develop annual and intake-specific admissions plans, KPIs and performance targets, including application and enrolment forecasts.
• Provide Senior Management with evidence-based advice on admissions performance, risks, opportunities and improvement priorities.
• Lead innovation, efficiency and continuous improvement across the Admissions function.

Admissions Management and Standards 

• Lead and manage the Admissions function and oversee the applicant journey from application through to enrolment.
• Ensure applications are assessed fairly, consistently and efficiently against approved entry requirements and admissions criteria.
• Maintain robust oversight of admissions decisions, applicant documentation, interviews and assessments.
• Ensure recruitment or commercial considerations do not compromise academic standards or admissions integrity.
• Regularly review admissions policies, processes, procedures and systems to ensure they remain effective and fit for purpose.

Applicant Experience and Customer Service 

• Lead the delivery of an excellent, professional and applicant-focused admissions service.
• Establish and monitor customer service standards, response times and application turnaround times.
• Ensure applicants receive accurate, clear and timely information throughout their admissions journey.
• Use applicant feedback, complaints, withdrawals and performance data to identify and implement service improvements.
• Work collaboratively across FSB to provide a seamless journey from application to enrolment.

Reporting, Analysis and Review 

• Produce regular admissions reports, dashboards and management information for Senior Management and relevant committees.
• Analyse applications, offers, conversion, enrolment, rejection and withdrawal trends by programme, campus, intake and recruitment channel.
• Produce enrolment forecasts and provide early warning of potential performance issues.
• Conduct regular reviews and post-intake evaluations, using evidence and analysis to drive improvements.

Staff Leadership, Training and Development 

• Lead, manage, motivate and develop the Admissions Team, setting clear objectives and performance expectations.
• Lead the development and delivery of admissions induction, training and refresher programmes for new and existing staff.
• Ensure staff are appropriately trained in admissions requirements, systems, interviews, customer service, regulatory requirements and partner procedures.
• Identify training needs through performance monitoring, audits, file reviews and quality assurance activity.
• Promote a culture of accountability, accuracy, excellent service and continuous learning.

University and Academic Partners 

• Act as the senior Admissions contact for university, validating, awarding and other academic partners.
• Maintain effective relationships with partner admissions and partnership teams and ensure compliance with agreed admissions requirements.
• Attend relevant partnership meetings, reviews and audits and provide reports and information as required.
• Coordinate and monitor responses to admissions-related actions or recommendations raised by partners.

Regulatory Compliance, Audit and Quality Assurance 

• Maintain current knowledge of UK higher education regulation, including OfS requirements and expectations relevant to Admissions.
• Support FSB responses to OfS enquiries, assessments, information requests and other regulatory activity relating to Admissions.
• Lead Admissions preparation for internal, partner and external audits and reviews and maintain continuous audit readiness.
• Undertake regular file sampling, compliance checks and quality assurance reviews, producing and monitoring improvement plans where required.
• Escalate significant compliance, quality or admissions integrity risks promptly to Senior Management.

Widening Participation and Access 

• Support FSB's widening participation and equality of opportunity objectives and ensure admissions practices promote fair access to higher education.
• Contribute to the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of FSB's Access and Participation Plan, particularly in relation to admissions and access.
• Analyse admissions data to identify potential barriers, inequalities and differences in applicant outcomes.
• Work with relevant teams to implement appropriate interventions while maintaining academic standards and admissions integrity.

Sector Best Practice 

• Maintain current knowledge of admissions developments, emerging trends and best practice across UK higher education.
• Benchmark FSB's admissions practices and performance against relevant sector good practice.
• Engage with appropriate professional networks, sector bodies, training and development opportunities.
• Identify new approaches and technologies that could improve efficiency, compliance and applicant experience.

Person Specification 

Essential 

• Significant admissions experience, preferably within UK higher education or a regulated education environment.
• Demonstrable experience of leading and managing an admissions function or team.
• Experience of strategy, operational planning, reporting, analysis and continuous improvement.
• Experience of leading staff training, development and performance management.
• Strong understanding of customer service, applicant experience and fair admissions.
• Excellent leadership, communication, analytical, organisational and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to identify and manage operational, quality and compliance risks.

Desirable 

• Experience within an OfS-registered higher education provider and knowledge of the OfS regulatory framework.
• Experience working with university or academic partners.
• Experience of admissions audits, regulatory reviews and quality assurance.
• Knowledge of widening participation and Access and Participation Plans.
• Experience managing admissions across multiple programmes, campuses or intakes.

 To apply, please click the 'Apply' button above (e: jobs@fairfield.ac).