Deputy Head of Admissions (FE and UG)

THIS JOB HAS NOW CLOSED

The opportunity

University of the Arts London is looking for a Deputy Head of Admissions (FE and UG) to join the team on a full-time, fixed-term basis for 24 months.

This role is responsible for the delivery of a University-wide professional Home, EU, and International admissions function at FE/UG level, through the stages of application, offer, and conversion to enrolment.  

The postholder will develop and implement admissions policy and processes in line with sector best practice, and make a significant contribution to enhancing the applicant experience. They will plan and deliver effective, sector-leading frontline services to applicants, managing available resources to maximise efficiency, and identifying and implementing change and continuous improvement projects.  

It is expected that the postholder will have the drive and personal presence to represent Student Marketing, Recruitment and Admissions (SMRA) across the University, and drive engagement and buy-in from a wide range of key stakeholders (academic and professional) related to student recruitment. They should have the political acumen and communication skills to enable them to be effective and influential across all levels.  

They will lead develop and empower a team of admissions staff, taking responsibility for managing and measuring performance, to ensure successful delivery of both SMRA and University wide strategic objectives relating to student recruitment.  

About you

Key elements of the person specification include:  

• Educated to degree level or equivalent in an appropriate discipline.
• Extensive knowledge of HE admissions practices and frameworks, across UK and international markets.
• Considerable experience of higher education admissions, specifically the student journey from application, through offer to enrolment, across UK, EU, and international markets.  
• Ability to lead within and proactively advocate for a customer service culture.  
• Considerable experience of managing an admissions function and/or customer service team.  
• Experience of enhancing applicant experience via the identification and implementation of change and continuous improvement projects (including process and systems). 
• Experience of leading, developing, and empowering a team of admissions staff, taking responsibility for managing and measuring team performance. 
• Experience of creating a positive, high-performing and collaborative working culture within their team. 
• Experience of developing excellent working relationships with other teams involved in the delivery of successful HE recruitment. 
• Experience of driving engagement and buy-in from a wide range of key stakeholders (academic and professional) in student recruitment.  
• Experience of negotiating and influencing colleagues across all levels, including senior management. 
• Experience of using appropriate levels of IT skills including use of a Student Record System and other software systems, to enable data analysis and make system enhancements. 
• Communicates effectively orally and in writing adapting the message for a diverse audience in an inclusive and accessible way. 
• Motivates and leads a team effectively, setting clear objectives to manage performance.
• Plans, prioritises, and manages resources effectively to achieve long term objectives.

If you have any queries about this role or need any reasonable adjustments for your application, please contact Hazel Bailey, Resourcing Adviser via email at PSOstaffrecruitment@arts.ac.uk.

We are UAL

University of the Arts London (UAL) offers an extensive range of courses in art, design, fashion, communication and performing arts. We are a collegiate University spread across London with six Colleges, four Institutes and five Research Centres. UAL also has two subsidiary companies, delivering specialist activities – UAL Short Courses Ltd, and UAL Arts Temps Ltd.

We’re made up of all types of people, coming together in London, the world’s creative capital. We are designers, artists, performers, thinkers, researchers and makers. Our students, staff and graduates form a global network of creatives, entrepreneurs and leaders. Together, our ideas change the world. Because the world needs creativity.

We are ranked highly across the board. We are ranked first for specialist art and design, second in the world for Art and Design in the 2023 QS World University Rankings (for the fifth year in a row), ranked fifth in sustainability and two of our colleges were rated in the top three fashion schools in the world.

Our culture

We have become one of the world’s most international Universities, welcoming over 22,000 students and 6,000 staff from 130 countries. And, as a global university, staff and students learn from different cultures and perspectives, which leads to new conversations and innovative work. At our very core, everything we do seeks to challenge the status quo by driving social purpose and standing up for what matters.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds including those who may feel underrepresented in the workforce due to their socioeconomic circumstances such as those from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (B.A.M.E.) backgrounds. We aim to be a university where everyone can be themselves and are supported to reach their full potential.

With our commitment to inclusion and diversity, we are proud to be a Race Equality Charter (REC) member to help us reduce barriers that negatively impacts B.A.M.E. staff, a Stonewall Diversity Champion to ensure all LGBTQ+ people are valued at work, a Disability Confident Scheme Committed employer and member of the Business Disability Forum which help us to improve the lives of disabled people in the workplace.

View all jobs