What Is the Job?

This role offers an exceptional opportunity to lead the Admissions team of a globally-focused university that is dedicated to attracting and enrolling students from diverse locations and backgrounds. As Head of Admissions, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering strategy, systems, and operational processes that strengthen the university’s student recruitment efforts, particularly in the international education sector.

Your responsibilities will include ensuring the optimization of the admissions lifecycle-from initial inquiries from prospective students to enrollment-by utilizing data-driven strategies and functional enhancements of admissions systems. A significant focus of this role will be on ensuring that admissions processes align not only with institutional goals but also with UKVI compliance regulations and international best practices. You’ll also spearhead efforts to provide fast, helpful responses to prospective students globally, while working to grow the university’s international partnerships, such as articulation agreements and progression pathways.

You’ll have the chance to oversee systems like Ellucian CRM Recruit, identify areas for improvement, and drive impactful changes to optimize recruitment from both overseas and UK-based student markets. Ultimately, this role is central to ensuring the university’s admissions function sets an exemplary standard for efficiency, growth, and inclusivity as part of its global recruitment strategy.

Advice on How to Apply (From an International Education Perspective)

If you’re considering applying for this role, it’s important to emphasize three key aspects in your application: your experience, your strategic vision, and your intercultural understanding.

1. Highlight International Admissions Experience

Since this role involves a significant focus on international student recruitment, prioritize showcasing your leadership experience in admissions teams that target diverse, global markets. Detail your understanding of international education trends, visa regulations (especially UKVI compliance), and your ability to deliver rapid and tailored responses to students from different regions. Candidates from outside the UK are encouraged to demonstrate transferable skills in overseeing admissions systems aligned with compliance and global recruitment targets.

1. Demonstrate Your Systems Expertise

Knowledge of admissions platforms like Ellucian CRM Recruit or equivalent systems is crucial. In your application, underscore your ability to leverage technology to improve operational efficiency, enhance user engagement, and analyze data for decision-making. Highlight specific examples of how you’ve successfully optimized systems or reshaped admissions processes to align with international recruitment needs.

1. Showcase Leadership and Adaptability

As the leader of a high-performing team, you’ll need strong communication, motivational, and collaborative skills. Discuss how you’ve built and led successful admissions teams, developed career progression opportunities, and structured operations to achieve both short-term and long-term goals. Experience working across departments to align admissions strategies with marketing, international development, and institutional goals will stand out.

1. Address Cultural Sensitivity and Global Mindset

The international nature of this role requires a nuanced understanding of different cultural, educational, and communication expectations. Make sure your application highlights your ability to deal with diverse stakeholders-prospective students, agents, and institutional partners-with cultural sensitivity and inclusivity.

1. Strategic Vision for Growth

This role gives you the autonomy to shape a three-year roadmap for admissions. Use your application to articulate a vision for future recruitment strategies, particularly in expanding the university’s international footprint. Reflect on how you would leverage partnerships and optimize systems to innovate admissions practices.

Why Work Here?

The University of Sussex is a diverse and inclusive institution where your work will have a meaningful impact on both the student experience and the university’s global presence. Sussex actively supports its staff through reward and benefits packages, career development opportunities, and a supportive culture of equality and diversity. If you want to be part of a dynamic institution that values diversity, innovation, and impactful engagement in the field of international education, this is an opportunity not to miss.

Key Information for Applicants:

For informal inquiries about the role, contact Marcus Williams at Marcus.Williams@sussex.ac.uk. When preparing your application, ensure it showcases your skills in leadership, systems expertise, compliance knowledge, and intercultural perspectives in admissions.

Click the ‘Apply’ button above for full details on how to submit your application. Good luck!