Head of (Student) Recruitment

Job Description

Position Title: Head of (Student) Recruitment

Reports to: Chief Operating Officer

Location: Astana, Kazakhstan

Role Purpose

The Head of Recruitment is responsible for providing strategic leadership for the University's student recruitment activity, developing and delivering an ambitious, evidence-led recruitment strategy that supports the University's objectives and long-term financial sustainability. .

The postholder will lead a high-performing recruitment team, oversee recruitment and conversion activity across Kazakhstan and global markets, develop strategic partnerships, manage the University's domestic and international agent network, and ensure the achievement of recruitment targets across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

Working collaboratively with academic, recruitment, marketing and admissions colleagues across Cardiff University Kazakhstan and Cardiff University, the Head of Recruitment will strengthen Cardiff University Kazakhstan’s domestic and global reputation, identify opportunities for sustainable growth, and ensure an outstanding applicant experience from enquiry through to enrolment.

The post holder will be expected to travel domestically and internationally as part of the role.

Key Responsibilities

1. Student Recruitment Strategy

• Develop and implement the University's student recruitment strategy.
• Deliver annual recruitment targets and sustainable growth in student enrolments aligned to institutional objectives.
• Identify new recruitment opportunities, including emerging recruitment markets and diversification opportunities through market intelligence and competitor analysis.
• Produce annual recruitment plans, forecasts and performance reports for senior leadership

2. Recruitment and Market Development

• Lead recruitment activity across Kazakhstan and priority global markets.
• Establish and maintain regional recruitment plans with measurable targets.
• Lead all relevant recruitment activity, including but not limited to, recruitment campaigns, exhibitions, school visits, webinars and recruitment events.
• Develop innovative approaches to student conversion and applicant engagement.
• Monitor market trends, geopolitical developments and policy changes affecting student recruitment.

3. Recruitment Partnerships

• Develop strategic relationships with schools, education agents, pathway providers, government organisations and institutional partners.
• Ensure effective management of the University's domestic and international agent network, including agent appointment, performance review and contract management processes. Establish strategic partnerships - identifying opportunities for articulation agreements, progression partnerships and collaborative recruitment initiatives.
• Represent the University externally.
• Ensure partner compliance with University policies.

3. Recruitment Activities and Applicant Conversion

• Lead on all relevant recruitment activity, including but not limited to Open Days, school visits and exhibitions.
• Working with marketing and all relevant colleagues, oversee applicant communications.
• Working with marketing and all relevant colleagues, oversee conversion activity.
• Monitor and improve conversion rates.
• Work with Admissions and all relevant stakeholders to establish a clear and positive applicant journey to improve applicant experience.
• Ensure timely follow-up of prospective students.

4. Market Intelligence and Reporting

• Analyse recruitment data and trends to inform strategic decision-making.
• Monitor application, offer, acceptance and enrolment performance against targets.
• Prepare forecasts and reports.
• Evaluate return on investment for recruitment activity. Recommend improvements.

Maintain awareness of developments affecting the international and domestic higher education sector.

• Stakeholder Engagement

• Build effective relationships with academic schools, admissions, marketing, alumni, student support and senior leaders.
• Advise senior leadership on market opportunities and recruitment performance.
• Represent the University at national and international events.
• Develop productive relationships with government agencies, embassies, sponsors and external stakeholders.

5. Leadership and Management

• Lead, motivate and develop the Recruitment team.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation and continuous improvement.
• Set objectives, monitor performance and support professional development.
• Manage departmental budgets and ensure value for money across recruitment activities. Promote excellent customer service.
• Support discussions on pricing strategy, including scholarship provision to maximise tuition fee income
• Support portfolio developments through market intelligence and competitor analysis.
• Provide leadership to the enquiries function, ensuring timely and effective follow-up of prospective students
• Work collaboratively with Cardiff University's International Recruitment, Admissions and Marketing teams.

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications and Experience

• Degree or equivalent Professional membership/experience
• Significant experience leading student recruitment within higher education
• Strong understanding of higher education recruitment in Kazakhstan and internationally.
• Experience achieving recruitment targets and managing recruitment pipelines.
• Experience with CRM systems and recruitment technologies.
• Excellent command of English, Kazakh and Russian.

Person Specification

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

Experience and understanding of working for/with an international branch campus

Key Skills and Competencies

• Strategic planning.
• Relationship management.
• Presentation and communication skills.
• Data analysis.
• Negotiation.
• Leadership.
• Ability to meet recruitment targets.
• Commitment to an outstanding applicant experience.