Senior International Recruitment Officer

Applications are invited for a Senior International Recruitment Officer on a permanent, full-time basis.

The key purpose of this post is to manage the University’s international student recruitment efforts at undergraduate and postgraduate levels working as part of the International Office and driving a key business function within the institution.

Candidates will be educated to degree level or have a relevant professional qualifications or experience. The post holder will manage the institutions International Recruitment function within a specific territory or vertical and be responsible in increasing the number of international students recruited to the university in line with institutional targets. The role will lead on delivery of marketing and recruitment activity to address international strategic objectives, and specifically, meet ambitious targets. This post will lead on the development of partnerships with key agents, sponsors, schools, and partner institutions within the region and be responsible for the development of regional strategies. The post holder will lead in raising the profile of Bangor in the region and in delivering wider internationalisation activity. Significant overseas travel to meet partner institutions, agents, sponsors and ministries of education, and to attend recruitment events such as education fairs and student interviews will be an important aspect of this post.

The successful candidate will be expected to commence as soon as possible.

The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post.

This role will be located on campus at Bangor. Through our Dynamic Working framework, there will also be the option to spend some time working remotely (although remaining in the UK) to support work life balance, which will be discussed further with candidates at interview.

Applications will also be considered to carry out this role on a part-time or job share basis.

Applications will only be accepted via our on-line recruitment website, jobs.bangor.ac.uk. However, in cases of access issues due to disability, paper application forms are available by telephoning 01248 383865.

Closing date for applications: 31/03/2024.

Committed To Equal Opportunities

The key purpose of this post is to manage the University’s international student recruitment efforts at undergraduate and postgraduate levels working as part of the International Office and driving a key business function within the institution.

This post will manage the institutions International Recruitment function within a specific territory or vertical and be responsible in increasing the number of international students recruited to the university in line with institutional targets.  The role will lead on delivery of marketing and recruitment activity to address international strategic objectives, and specifically, meet ambitious targets. This post will lead on the development of partnerships with key agents, sponsors, schools, and partner institutions within the region and be responsible for the development of regional strategies.

The post holder will lead in raising the profile of Bangor in the region and in delivering wider internationalisation activity.

• Support on the development and manage implementation of annual marketing and recruitment operational plans for overseas recruitment and assist in the delivery of market entry strategies for new markets where appropriate.

• Manage marketing activity in countries to drive objectives and contribute to the delivery of targets set by the Deputy Director International Recruitment. Coordinate and undertake recruitment and promotional visits overseas throughout the year under the guidance of the Deputy Director International Recruitment

• Play a supporting role in the regions activity – assisting and deputising for Deputy Director International Recruitment.

• Provide expert information and guidance to potential students and their partners about the benefits of studying at Bangor University, through attendance at exhibitions, briefing and training education agents and overseas representatives and conducting students interviews and making offers as agreed with the Director of International Operations and Admissions.

• Delivering and participating in a range of in-country recruitment activities including presentations to government and independent agencies; attendance at education fairs; undertaking student interviews; visits to secondary schools, colleges and universities; delivering agent counsellor.

• Provide regular reporting on performance compared to targets.

• Implement marketing campaigns in the region under the guidance of the Deputy Director International recruitment.

• Ensure appropriate and prompt follow up action is taken after overseas visits including follow up of enquiries, post event/analysis/written reports and analysis to support conversion and future.

• Lead on the development of Innovative and creative ways to promote Bangor within the region.

• Manage casework and / or coordination of small projects within budget and quality requirements.

• Work closely with the Marketing Team and Academic Schools and Colleges to achieve an integrated, effective and targeted recruitment effort. This includes the design and delivery of promotional campaigns and communication plans targeting individual markets. This may periodically include accompanying academic staff in-country.

• Work closely with the International Partnership Office acting as key contact in the region exploring and following up on potential leads for new Pathway and Articulation partnerships. And supporting Bangor University engagement with current partners.

• Maximise conversion by engaging and responding to enquiries from potential students, offer holders, agents, partner universities, counsellors, government agencies and sponsors and support candidates at all stages of the application process. This includes working closely with Admissions, taking appropriate actions to convert offer holders into enrolled students whilst complying at all times with UKVI regulations.

• Ensure that recruited students meet UK Home Office’s UK Visas and Immigration regulations. Prior to authorising the release of the Confirmation of Acceptance for Study (CAS), interview candidates via skype/zoom and undertake financial checks to ensure that University requirements have been satisfied. The CAS will enable students to apply for a student visa to study at the University.

• Maintain effective communication channels with organisations such as the British Council, Embassies, Funding Bodies, Ministries of Education and other government departments / agencies in order to maintain successful recruitment channels and capitalise on opportunities to develop new channels.

• Manage inbound visits to Bangor University from business partners, institutions and prospective students.

• The post holder will be expected to manage operational expenditure within their defined region and work to ensure that we are at all times promoting a mission of value for money and return on investment for the institution. 

• The post holder is required to work flexibly travelling internationally and undertaking evening and weekend work, both overseas and in the UK. There is an expectation that this post-holder will spend considerable periods of time overseas (up to 15 weeks per year, depending on governmental travel advice and guidance).

• Undertake other duties as may be necessary or may be determined from time to time by the Deputy Director International Recruitment.

• Coach and mentor junior colleagues, developing their capability such that each is able to contribute to the highest level – e.g. student ambassadors.

This is a general guideline and not a comprehensive list of duties.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• The post holder will be expected to participate in performance review and developmental activities.

• The post holder will be expected to comply with the University equal opportunities policies, Dignity at Work and Study Policy and the University’s Welsh Language Policy and the Welsh Language Standards.

• The post holder has a general and legal duty of care in relation to health, safety and wellbeing and must take all reasonable steps to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for him/her self and for other members of staff, students and visitors affected by his/her actions or inactions. The post holder is also required to comply with all applicable health and safety policies, procedures and risk assessments.

• The post holder must comply with relevant legal and financial policies and procedures and be aware of their responsibilities in terms of the legal requirements of their posts.

Education, Qualifications and Training

Essential
• Educated to degree level

Desirable
• Postgraduate or relevant professional qualification

Work and Relevant Experience

Essential
• Proven experience of generating income in an international environment or in a fast- moving commercial environment.
• Delivery of marketing projects and high quality, creative and innovative marketing solutions. Track record of successfully working on new business development projects and achieving set outcomes and targets.
• Experience of managing relationships with international stakeholders such as recruitment agents, feeder colleges and schools, partner institutions etc. evidence of being able to resolve problems.

Desirable
• Experience of handling regional / country specific marketing or sales campaigns overseas.
• Experience of running recruitment campaigns through intermediaries like British Council, local agents, and local offline/online portals.
• Experience of working with Academic Schools / Departments on integrated marketing and recruitment plans.
• Experience of working with sponsor bodies.

Skills and Abilities

Essential
• Ability to work within a small team to achieve or exceed common objectives or targets.
• Demonstration of creativity and initiative to achieve mutually beneficial relationships.
• Strong cultural sensitivity and awareness about local issues affecting international student recruitment.
• Strong ability to communicate to wide range of audiences both in writing and orally.
• Excellent organisational skills and ability to handle a varied and demanding workload.
• Effective research, analytical and IT skills.
• Ability to deliver effective presentations.
• Proven ability to develop effective working relationships both internally with the immediate and extended team and externally to achieve corporate objectives.
• Budget management.
• Attention to detail.
• Effective at creating an instant rapport with potential students.
• Flexible approach and willingness to undertake extensive travel overseas and in the UK.
• Alertness and ability to be thorough in all aspects of work and see projects through to completion.
• Flexible to work during weekends, public holidays and for extended hours during peak times according to the requirements of the employment contract.
• Ability to empathise with the purpose and values of the University and to work effectively with academic staff and students.
• Ability to work under pressure in unfamiliar surroundings.
• Capable of working with tact and discretion.
• Self-motivation.
• Creativity and initiative.

Desirable
• An understanding of current issues relating to HE and education, the current international HE market and other opportunities for UK HEIs overseas.
• Project management experience with the ability to problem solve.
• The ability to communicate through the medium of Welsh and/or another language. If applicants are not able to speak / write in Welsh at present, there are many opportunities to learn if the successful candidate wishes to do so.

The University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds.  We strive to develop a workforce from all sections of the community regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. We promote and facilitate the use of the Welsh language through our progressive Welsh Language Policy. We comply with the Welsh Language Standards and are committed to equality of opportunity. You are welcome to apply for any job in English or Welsh and all applications submitted will be treated equally. 

We are a member of Advance HE's Athena SWAN Gender Equality charter and hold a Bronze award in recognition of our commitment to and progress towards gender equality within the University's policies, practices, and culture. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer. 

All members of staff have a duty to ensure their actions are in line with the overall environmental aims of the University and minimise their environmental impact. 

All offers are made subject to proof of eligibility to work in the UK and receipt of satisfactory references.  

We have a legal responsibility to ensure that you have the right to work in the UK before you can start working for us.  When you apply for this post you will be required to explain the basis upon which you believe you will able to live and work in the UK legally on the commencement date of the role should your application be successful.   If you do not have the right to work freely in any position in the UK already, any offer of employment we will make to you will be subject to you obtaining a right to work visa.   The following link provides information on the various visa routes into employment and the eligibility requirements (including switching visa status where permissible) https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas .   If you are successful in your application we will discuss visa options with you at the time of making the offer of employment.     

Please note that, in the event of applications being received from candidates on the University's Redeployment Register with a reasonable skills match to the post specification, these applicants will be given prior consideration.