International Officer

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International Officer

The International Office of Cardiff University is recruiting!
This is an exciting opportunity to work in a highly motivated, dynamic, strategically focused International Recruitment team. 

As a key member of the international team, you will develop and implement strategies for international student recruitment from selected countries within a designated geographical region, with responsibility for achievement of shared recruitment targets in these countries. 

You will formulate, co-ordinate and undertake student recruitment activities in your markets through effective country management. Activities will include a range of business development initiatives within the countries of responsibility, including market campaigns, commercial relationship management and profile-raising activities; and contributing to the maintenance of strategic partnerships. 

You will play a lead role in advising colleagues in academic schools and colleges on the development of recruitment activities both within the countries that you manage and more broadly across our international activity.

The role holder will initially manage international recruitment from UK and Europe. This post will involve regular travel overseas and within the UK (approximately 12 weeks per year).

The International Office has a blended approach to working, currently we work on campus on Wednesdays and Thursdays and remotely (from home) for the rest of the week. The option to work on campus full time is available if staff members choose to do this.

This is an open ended, full-time role (35 hours per week).

Salary: £39,347 - £44,263 per annum (Grade 6)

Date advert posted: Tuesday, 9 April 2024

Closing date: Tuesday, 7 May 2024

Please be aware that Cardiff University reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.

Cardiff 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 who have the ambition to create a University which seeks to fulfil our social, cultural and economic obligation to Cardiff, Wales, and the world.  In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

Job Description

Key Duties

• Contribute to the development and implementation of strategies and operational business plans for selected countries within a defined region.  
• Plan and deliver student recruitment and marketing activities in the countries that you manage, including the annual cycle of recruitment visits, market campaigns, and bespoke events and activities (both UK-based and overseas).
• Undertake market analysis, overseas travel and conversion activities on behalf of the University. Represent the University at overseas events including exhibitions, pre-departure briefings, and visits to educational institutions, agents, local partners and key sponsorship/funding bodies.
• Identify and develop opportunities for collaboration with institutions, networks and business partners, and opportunities for brand development, promotion and profile raising, within the managed countries. 
• Oversee and manage a delegated budget for student recruitment and marketing within the countries of responsibility, and make recommendations on activities to undertake within budgets.
• Develop, sustain and manage a network of relationships with key partners in selected countries overseas, including (but not limited to) student recruitment agents, international sponsors, overseas alumni, international schools and external organisations such as the British Council. 
• Make recommendations on the appointment and retention of student recruitment agents, based on an understanding of the countries of responsibility. Work with Regional Managers to monitor and evaluate agent performance within the countries of responsibility.
• Establish working relationships with key contacts in academic schools and colleges, to support the development and implementation of college and school international recruitment strategies. 
• Provide professional advice and guidance to staff in academic schools and colleges on a range of international recruitment issues, based on high quality market intelligence and insight. Report on developments and activities within the countries of responsibility. 
• Provide line management for Assistant International Officer(s) within the Country/Regional remit where appropriate. Recruit, train and manage the work of casual staff, including international student ambassadors and advisors.
• Assist with the organisation and management of high-profile visits to the University of key stakeholders in the recruitment process.
• Work with the Development and Alumni Relations division to further alumni engagement within the countries of responsibility.
• Contribute to University wide student recruitment projects such as confirmation, clearing and adjustment, and international student induction. Create specific working groups from colleagues across the University to deliver projects that achieve international recruitment objectives.

• Promote a culture of high-quality customer service across the institution, in line with the International Office commitment to deliver excellent customer service.  
• To embrace and embody the International Office’s Values & Behaviours and to act as an ambassador for these throughout the wider Department and Institution.
• To work flexibly as part of a dedicated team, including some unsociable hours.
• Contribute to the International Office’s input to projects of University-wide significance such as Confirmation, Clearing & Adjustment and International Student Induction.
• Ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties.
• Abide by University policies on Health and Safety and Equality and Diversity.
• Perform other duties occasionally which are not included above, but which will be consistent with the role.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Education
1.    Degree/NVQ 4 or equivalent Professional membership/experience

Knowledge, Skills and Experience
2.    Substantial experience of working within student recruitment, sales or marketing
3.    Able to demonstrate professional knowledge within student recruitment, sales or marketing to provide advice and guidance to internal and external customers
4.    Proven experience in developing new processes and procedures related to student recruitment, sales or marketing

Customer Service, Communication and Team Working
5.    Ability to communicate conceptually detailed and complex information effectively and professionally with a wide range of people
6.    Evidence of ability to explore customers’ needs and adapt the service accordingly to ensure a quality service is delivered
7.    Proven ability to develop networks in order to contribute to long term developments
8.    Evidence of ability to be the external face of the University and to represent the University to a range of audiences with enthusiasm and creativity

Planning, Analysis and Problem solving
9.    Evidence of ability to solve expansive problems using initiative and creativity; identify and propose both practical and innovative solutions
10.    Evidence of ability to undertake and deliver specific projects and supervise short term project teams

Desirable Criteria

11.    Postgraduate/Professional qualification
12.    Experience of working in a Higher Education environment
13.    Fluent in a European language
14.    Fluency in Welsh, written and oral

Additional Information

The Communications and Marketing Department is responsible for the University’s reputation and branding. It covers six areas: digital communications, communications, marketing, student recruitment, international and public affairs.
Digital Communications is responsible for the design, development and content of the external website and intranet. They provide tools, guidance, training and support to enable the University to communicate effectively across all digital channels. The team works closely with colleagues in all three academic colleges and constituent schools.
Communications plays an important part in building and maintaining the reputation of the University through effective communication to the public and to external and internal stakeholders. It communicates the achievements and aspirations of the University through a variety of media and includes a film unit. The team represents the University on a corporate level.
Marketing is responsible for developing a strong brand identity for the University at the corporate level, with an emphasis on better visual branding and market research.
Student recruitment are responsible for student recruitment in the UK, EU and internationally. They work in partnership with the University’s colleges and academic schools to recruit high calibre students. The team also manages the University’s major widening participation programmes and the School’s Partnership Project.
The International Office drives the University’s international recruitment strategy and advises on all areas related to international recruitment and development.
Public affairs lead on stakeholder relationships locally, nationally and internationally.

Job Category

Education, Marketing, Media and Public Relations