Head of Student Recruitment

ClosingDate: 23.59 hours GMT on Monday 30 November 2026

Reference: 0889-26

About Education Partnership North East (EPNE)

At EPNE our 'purpose' is our north star. It is what we expect of ourselves every single day and why we ask all staff to keep our purpose front and centre in all that they do.

Our Purpose is to "unlock potential, create opportunities, and transform lives through outstanding education, skills and training". Rooted in our transformative power, it communicates our work in tackling inequalities, removing barriers, and improving the life chances of the people and communities we serve.

We nurture our very special culture. Ourunifying values framework "The actions we take the choices we make - The actions I take the choices I make"represent the character of our college group, and are grounded in the belief that every action, by every individual, contributes to our success. This why we encourage empowered individuals, personal accountability and growth.

Building on our remarkable past, creativity and pioneering spirit, we are moving forward with courage into the future, improving what we do, remaining action-orientated, and innovating to make an exceptional difference for the world we live in. Shaping futures for a better tomorrow,join ourchangemakingcommunity now.

Please see the following link to our 2024 Ofsted Report, in which EPNE was graded as being Outstanding across all areas - Ofsted-Report-Outstanding

Our Journey & Values

As an employer, we prioritise cultivating a supportive and inclusive workplace culture, where our staff can thrive and grow. We recognize that our employees are our greatest asset, and we are deeply committed to investing in their professional development and overall wellbeing.

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You will be an experienced leader with a track record of delivering successful recruitment, admissions, customer engagement or stakeholder engagement activity. You will be skilled at building productive relationships with schools, colleges, partners and/or communities, and passionate about creating positive experiences that inspire prospective students to take the next step in their education journey. You will bring strong organisational skills, with the ability to plan and deliver large-scale events and engagement activities while balancing competing priorities. Comfortable working with data and performance measures, you will use insight to identify opportunities, improve processes and enhance results.Most importantly, you will be a collaborative and people-focused leader who can motivate and develop teams, work effectively across departments and embody EPNE's values of Courage, Authenticity, Respect and Excellence in everything you do.

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity to lead Student Recruitment and Admissions across Education Partnership North East, with a particular focus on driving engagement with schools, communities and prospective students as well as our overseeing our admissions function. You will lead the planning and delivery of a dynamic programme of recruitment events, open events and school engagement activity, helping to inspire young people and adults to explore the opportunities available across our colleges. The role offers the opportunity to develop your leadership, partnership working and service improvement skills while managing a high-performing team and working closely with curriculum and support services colleagues. If you are passionate about creating outstanding experiences, building strong relationships with schools and stakeholders, and helping more learners take the next step in their education journey, this is a role where you can make a visible and meaningful impact every day.

Role Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and delivery of an annual programme of student recruitment events, open events and engagement activities that inspire prospective students and support enrolment growth.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with schools, community organisations and key stakeholders to increase awareness of opportunities across EPNE.
• Manage and continuously improve the admissions process, ensuring an efficient, responsive and customer-focused experience for applicants.
• Lead, motivate and develop the Student Recruitment and Admissions team to deliver high-quality services and outstanding customer experiences.
• Use data, market intelligence and performance insights to evaluate activity, identify opportunities and drive improvements in recruitment and conversion.
• Work collaboratively with curriculum, student services and marketing teams to deliver integrated recruitment campaigns and support the achievement of student recruitment targets.

Qualifications

• Degree level qualification or significant relevant professional experience.
• Commitment to continuous professional development.
• Strong leadership and people management skills, with the ability to motivate, develop and support high-performing teams.
• Excellent relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to work effectively with schools, community partners and internal colleagues.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the confidence to engage and influence a wide range of audiences.
• Proven ability to plan, organise and deliver multiple projects, events and activities successfully within agreed timescales.
• Ability to analyse and interpret data, using insight to monitor performance, identify opportunities and drive continuous improvement.
• Customer-focused approach, with a commitment to delivering outstanding experiences for prospective students and applicants.

What's in it for you?

Join EPNE and you'll be part of a culture that prioritises your development and wellbeing, which is why all employees receive an extensive benefits package.

• Enjoy a generous holiday allowance ranging between 35-48 days per year, plus public holidays - (Excluding Term Time Only contracts)
• Generous family leave and flexible working options (dependent on role)
• LGPS or Teacher Pensions Scheme - depending on role
• Access to myLifestyle benefits platform providing retail discounts and more.
• We offer dental, eye care & health cash plans.
• Extensive wellbeing support through a digital Wellbeing Hub that offers a broad range of support for physical, mental, and financial wellbeing.
• Free parking on most campuses.
• Free Gym access available at Bede Campus

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equality and Inclusion

At Education Partnership North East (EPNE), we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and lived experiences. We know that diverse perspectives strengthen our teams to enhance the education and support we provide to our learners and communities.

We recognise that talented individuals may not always follow a traditional career path and may hesitate to apply unless they meet every requirement. If you are excited about the role and believe you can make a positive contribution, we encourage you to apply.

As a Disability Confident Employer and Armed Forces Covenant Member, and with Ofsted Outstanding status across all campuses, we are committed to creating an inclusive, supportive, and high-performing environment where everyone can thrive.

Due to the nature of this post, you will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure Check.

We believe in equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

We are committed to PREVENT and safeguarding the welfare of children and vulnerable adults.

For an informal discussion about the role please reach out to Emma Cottle at