Leeds Beckett University - Director of Marketing, Recruitment and Admissions.

Welcome

Dear candidate

Thank you for expressing an interest in joining Leeds Beckett University as our new Director of Marketing, Recruitment and Admissions.

Leeds Beckett University is a modern, professional-based university with a dedicated, diverse community. We work closely with employers and partners to help our graduates become ready for work, ready for life and ready to seize all the opportunities that lie ahead. We place huge importance on our role as an anchor institution for Leeds and the wider region, maximising the benefit our presence delivers directly and indirectly to our communities.

The Director of Marketing, Recruitment & Admissions will take responsibility for the development of a highly effective global student marketing strategy and UK recruitment strategy. The remit of the role will encompass all areas of student marketing for UK and international audiences and all areas of UK recruitment, including admissions, outreach and widening access from underrepresented groups in higher education.

As a member of our senior management team and reporting directly me, the post holder will work closely and collaboratively with other senior members of our community, including academic schools and the Director of International Recruitment & Partnerships. The post holder will play a key role in ensuring that our performance across all our markets results in a student community that is in keeping with our academic ambitions and financial targets.

You will bring proven experience of leading successful marketing and recruitment strategies in higher education. You will be highly skilled at leading teams and collaborating with academic communities and expert in utilising market and competitor information to formulate highly creative, original and successful competitive student marketing and recruitment initiatives.

If you are excited by this opportunity and ready to make a significant contribution to our University community, then we would be delighted to hear from you.

You can find out more about the University and the role on this website. Our advising consultants at Anderson Quigley would be pleased to discuss the role with you in confidence – their details can also be found on this site.

With best wishes

Dr David Ashton
Pro Vice Chancellor (Recruitment and Global Partnerships)

About Leeds Beckett University

Leeds Beckett is a modern, professional university with a dedicated, diverse community. Our vision is to be an excellent, accessible, globally-engaged university contributing positively to a thriving northern economy. Our mission is to ensure we use our knowledge and resources to make a positive and decisive difference to people, communities and organisations.

We are a community of around 23,500 students from over 140 countries and 2,800 staff, and our history dates back to the founding of Leeds Mechanics Institute in 1824. We are a major organisation in our region and the University contributes around £500m to the economy each year.

Leeds Beckett has:

A bold, industrious spirit: We foster innovative thinking to create great graduates, exceptional employees, dynamic citizens and enterprising leaders.
An environment enriched by research: Our world-leading and internationally-excellent research informs our curriculum and our students’ experience in all areas.
A community dedicated to success: Our community is made up of people from a diverse mix of cultural and social backgrounds, brought together in a world-class learning environment.
Excellent corporate services: Students and colleagues can access a range of professional services within our University, specifically designed to support the effective delivery of our academic provision.
Safe and supportive networks: Our network of colleague and student groups provides safe and supportive environments in which to discuss issues relating to equality and inclusion.

Leeds is a vibrant, modern city with a rich industrial past and on the doorstep of natural beauty. It is the cultural, financial and commercial heart of West Yorkshire and has one of the most diverse economies of all the UK’s employment centres. Leeds is, and always will be, open for business and talent.

Teaching

Working in partnership with our students and the Students’ Union, we have transformed our undergraduate student experience and our students’ learning through exceptional and innovative academic practice and personalised support to our large and diverse student community.

Our teaching activity is organised into 8 Schools creating communities of committed staff and students who are passionate about their subject areas. Our courses feature collaborative, creative and practical learning in modern facilities that enable our students to develop themselves as enterprising citizens whose future contribution has a positive impact.

Research

Our research institutes and centres sustain outstanding research which informs our curriculum and our students’ experience in all areas. This research provides an enriched environment for an excellent research and teaching culture for all aspects of our students’ learning.

The REF 2021 results showed that 53% of the university’s submission was rated 3* and 4* and therefore considered internationally excellent or world-leading. Results were particularly strong in sport and exercise science, leisure and tourism where 89% of the submission was rated 4* or 3*. In the allied health and nursing unit, 80% of the submission was rated 4* and 3*. The results reflect the breadth of our research in these areas which includes improving gender equality in sports coaching, tackling obesity, supporting women with cancer with fertility decisions and improving the training of people working with those suffering from dementia.

Our REF 2021 submission included 352 research staff across 15 units of assessment, double the number of staff included in REF 2014. It included research driving up energy efficiency standards in homes, and understanding and supporting the role of civilian peacekeeping.

Corporate services

Students and colleagues can access a range of professional services within the University designed and operating to support the effective delivery of our academic provision.

Services for students include Libraries, Sport & Active Lifestyles, Student Services and Campus & Residential Services.

Departments including Finance, Estates, Information and Technology Services and Human Resources ensure the University runs efficiently, that colleagues get the support and advice they need, and services for students are accessible and focused on meeting their needs.

Our Schools

Our 8 Schools are:

Our campuses

We provide creative and contemporary learning environments packed with the latest technology, creating a focal point for new and innovative thinking.

City Campus: City Campus is in the heart of Leeds, ideally placed to connect with hundreds of businesses and organisations that offer work placements and employment opportunities to many of our students. The City Campus puts students and staff at the centre of a dynamic business community in a city with a thriving job market. Our award-winning buildings, the Rose Bowl and Broadcasting Place are located at the City Campus, along with our new state-of-the-art Leeds School of Arts, which opened in 2020.

Headingley Campus: Headingley campus, about two miles away from the city centre, is set in 100 acres of beautiful parkland with historic buildings dating from 1752. The rich history and parkland setting coexists with modern sport science laboratories, animation and music studios and the latest computing labs. Our main sports facilities are based in Headingley alongside our iconic new Carnegie School of Sport.

Equality and Inclusion

Equality and inclusion are essential to our academic and business strengths. We ensure our University community is a place where everyone feels respected, valued and supported to achieve excellence.

We are committed to providing a vibrant, ethical and sustainable working and learning environment that values equality and inclusion and recognises the contribution everyone brings to our University community.

Our network of colleagues and student groups helps us to help others get the information and support they need. These groups provide a safe and supportive environment in which to discuss issues relating to equality and inclusion, as well as provide support and networking and share best practices.

You can read more about our approach to equality and inclusion here.

University Executive Team structure

See our Executive Team structure here.

Further information

You can read much more about Leeds Beckett University on our website here.

Our values

Our values

In 2021 we agreed as a community that our university’s purpose, decisions, and actions rest on six values we all believe in and try to uphold in the conduct of our daily work.

Last year was about raising awareness, engaging colleagues in the benefits of being a values-driven organisation and sharing understanding of their meaning for us individually in our work. As part of this a group of colleagues from across the university defined what our values mean, and why they matter.

This year and beyond is now about embedding our values – bringing them to life in local areas with individuals and teams; using the descriptions we created to explore what the values look like in our everyday interactions and using them to guide how we do our work.
The project team is also working hard to embed our values in key stages of employee journey such as recruitment, appraisals, induction, etc and there are lots of opportunities for you to get your voice heard and get involved in this work, link is there which you can visit which contains options for how you can get involved.

You can learn more about our values here.

The role

Director of Marketing, Recruitment and Admissions (AQ2451)

Apply now

JOB DESCRIPTION

As a member of our senior management team, the Director or Marketing, Recruitment & Admissions (MRA) will take responsibility for the development of a highly effective global student marketing strategy and UK recruitment strategy for our university. Reporting directly to the Pro Vice Chancellor (Recruitment and Global Partnerships), the post holder will work closely and collaboratively with other senior members of our academic community.

The remit of the role will encompass all areas of student marketing for UK and international audiences and all areas of UK Recruitment, including admissions, outreach and widening access from underrepresented groups in higher education. It will include all types of learner, including undergraduate, postgraduate and professional learner and all modes; full time, part-time and distance learning. Working with our academic schools and the Director of International Recruitment & Partnerships, the role holder will play a key role in ensuring that our performance across all our markets results in a student community that is in keeping with our academic ambitions and financial targets.

The post holder will be highly skilled at leading teams and collaborating with the academic community and will be expert in utilising market and competitor information to formulate highly creative, original and successful competitive student marketing and recruitment initiatives.

Main duties of responsibility

To develop strategy and offer expert advice and guidance on all student marketing and UK recruitment matters as a member of the senior management team, working collaboratively across the wider university, to enable the University to achieve its strategic aims.
To provide overarching support for institutional performance in the delivery of the University’s UK recruitment strategy, encompassing all study levels and study modes, working closely with Deans of School to ensure that recruitment targets, entry criteria and applicant selection methods reflect their local ambitions and meet institutional objectives.
To be responsible for analysing the competitive environment and setting unregulated tuition fees, working with our academic schools, senior colleagues from the Finance Office and the Director of International Recruitment & Partnerships to deploy optimal pricing structures across multiple markets.
To provide high quality, professional and creative leadership for the Marketing, Recruitment and Admissions Team, developing talent and promoting a high performing culture.
To develop and maintain admissions policies, leading UK admissions, working with the Director of International Recruitment Partnerships on international admissions, working with colleagues in Governance and our academic schools, to ensure compliance with relevant regulations whilst maintaining our ability to meet our student recruitment activities.
To ensure and develop effective market analysis across all markets and customer types. Working with academic schools, ensuring the development and provision of intelligence and analysis that will inform strategic and tactical decision making across the University.
To be responsible for utilising market knowledge and analysis to develop a powerful CRM strategy that will enable the University to achieve its strategic objectives, delivering content and communications to meet our student recruitment ambitions.
To be responsible for the development and delivery of creative and effective promotional and conversion activities across all markets and channels of communication (online and offline) to ensure the attraction of suitable applicants and enhance their progress through to enrolment.
To direct, develop and extend a network of relationships with schools, colleges, widening participation organisations and other relevant bodies to support our recruitment and wider academic interests.
To work closely with the Director of External Relations and their teams to provide informed leadership in the development of the website and major corporate publications that relate to recruitment (including the online and printed prospectuses).
To be responsible for the widening access element of the university’s Access and Participation Plan as required by the Office for Students, working to meet performance benchmarks. Working closely with the DVC Academic and other relevant senior leads, ensuring that the institution performs against its access, retention and progression targets and builds a highly diverse, highly performing student community.
To work closely with the academic community and the wider university, bring your expertise to the recruitment target setting process and new course approval process, with a view to managed expansion and/or improving the academic strength our intake.
To ensure the work of the team and the wider university is compliant with the relevant regulations, including, for example, Data Protection legislation, UCAS policy, Competitions & Market Authority etc.
To be responsible for the effective deployment of the resources for which you are responsible, in terms of the management of your staff and your financial resources.
To deputise for the PVC Recruitment & Global Partnerships on occasion where appropriate.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge

A higher degree or the relevant professional qualification or equivalent experience. Desirable
Experience of strategic planning in an academic environment at a senior level requiring a high level of professional credibility with an ability to promote effectively the interests of the University internally and externally. Desirable
Experience of working in close collaboration and building highly productive relationships with the academic community of the University. Desirable
An understanding and knowledge of the UK and international Higher Education landscape, including a proven ability in using market and policy research. Essential
Experience of managing complex groups or projects and of designing flexible support for diverse groups within a coherent and structured framework. Essential
Evidence of leading and managing highly productive, motivated and expert teams of staff. Essential
Evidence of knowledge of relevant compliance with national and international regulations as they relate to this post. Desirable

Performance Attributes

Communication

Evidence of excellent interpersonal, communication, persuasion and influencing skills and the ability to build effective relationships with students and staff at all levels. Essential
Ability to listen to people effectively, showing understanding, handling and sensitive interpersonal situations, giving feedback in an effective and supportive manner. Essential

Teamwork

Proven leadership and team-working skills, including the ability to work with and through others, set and achieve high standards, manage accountability and enthuse, support and inspire others to develop and excel. Essential

Service Delivery

A capacity and proven record to identify areas where change is needed to implement it successfully. Essential

Learning & Development

Commitment to professional leadership with the ability and capacity to build and motivate strong teams with a sense of common purpose and commitment to overall success. Ability to facilitate the professional career and personal development of staff. Essential

Apply now

Marketing, Recruitment and Admissions organogram

Terms of appointment

Terms & Conditions of Service are as determined by the Vice-Chancellor for senior staff (within a framework set by the Board of Governors).

A competitive salary will be agreed with the preferred candidate.

Annual leave entitlement is 38 days + public holidays

You will be entitled to join the West Yorkshire Pension Fund.

Equal opportunities

We are committed to providing a non-discriminatory and harassment-free working environment for our employees. All our employees are expected to have due regard for those policies when carrying out their duties.

Safety, health and wellbeing

You will maintain a positive attitude to Safety, Health and Wellbeing in carrying out personal responsibilities and co-operate with policy/local rules/codes of practice.

Physical conditions

Hybrid working. You will have a base at the Headingley/City campus and may be required to work across both campuses if required.

Probationary period

Appointment to this position may be subject to a probationary period of up to six months, in line with our probationary policy. A copy of our probationary policy is available on our website or on request from Human Resources.

Pre-employment health assessment

Our University aims to ensure that all employees are placed in a job that is compatible with their health and physical abilities. In accordance with the Equality Act, questions relating to health are asked following an offer of appointment. All offers of appointment are subject to pre-employment health assessment.

Qualifications

In accordance with our pre-employment processes, it is University policy to verify qualifications for successful candidates. We will need evidence of those qualifications required by the employee specification and claimed on the application form.

How to apply

Anderson Quigley is acting as an employment advisor to the University. An executive search process is being carried out by Anderson Quigley in addition to the public advertisement.

Should you wish to discuss the role in strict confidence, please contact Sophie Rees on +44 (0)7719 313 982, sophie.rees@andersonquigley.com or Elliott Rae on +44 (0)7584 078 534, elliott.rae@andersonquigley.com

The closing date for applications is noon on Friday 23^rd February 2024.

Applications should consist of:

A full CV.
A letter of application (maximum of two pages) outlining your motivation for applying for the role and how you meet the points in the Person Specification.

Please include details of two referees, though please note that we will not approach referees without your prior consent and only should you be shortlisted.

Appointment of Director of Marketing, Recruitment and Admissions