Head of Student Recruitment(UK Visa Sponsorship)

Job Description

About UCL

UCL is London’s Global University and one of the world’s leading multidisciplinary institutions. With a community of more than 50,000 students and 17,000 staff from over 150 countries, UCL is defined by its global outlook, academic excellence, and commitment to addressing the most pressing challenges facing society today.

Our strength lies not only in research and education, but also in our people. We value diversity of thought, background, and experience, and we are proud to foster a culture that supports collaboration, innovation, and inclusion at every level of the organisation.

The Role

As Head of Student Recruitment (East Asia), you will play a pivotal role in shaping UCL’s international student community by leading recruitment strategy across a portfolio of key East Asian markets, with a particular emphasis on China.

This is a senior leadership role within the Student Recruitment and Admissions division. You will guide, support, and inspire two Liaison and Recruitment Managers and their teams, ensuring that UCL’s approach to student recruitment is strategic, coordinated, and responsive to a rapidly evolving global education landscape.

Working closely with colleagues across Admissions, Global Engagement, Alumni Relations, academic departments, and senior leadership offices, you will help translate institutional priorities into impactful recruitment activity on the ground.

Key Responsibilities

In this role, you will:

• Lead the development and delivery of country-level recruitment strategies across East Asia.
• Analyse market intelligence, policy developments, and competitor activity to inform planning and decision-making.
• Act as UCL’s internal authority on East Asian recruitment markets, providing insight and advice to colleagues across the institution.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with schools, counsellors, partners, alumni, and recruitment agents.
• Represent UCL at international recruitment fairs, high-profile events, and overseas visits.
• Contribute to the wider leadership and strategic direction of the Student Recruitment and Admissions division.
• This role requires a confident, collaborative leader who is comfortable operating at both strategic and operational levels.

About You

You will bring a strong background in international student recruitment, ideally within a large or complex higher education environment. You will typically demonstrate:

• In-depth knowledge of East Asian student recruitment markets, particularly China.
• A proven ability to design and deliver recruitment strategies that achieve measurable results.
• Strong people management skills, with experience motivating teams, setting priorities, and fostering high performance.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the confidence to engage senior stakeholders internally and externally.
• A collaborative and diplomatic approach, with the ability to work across organisational boundaries.
• Experience managing budgets, overseas partners, and recruitment agents.
• Mandarin language skills are desirable but not essential.
• You will also share UCL’s commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, and actively contribute to a culture where everyone feels valued and supported.

Visas, Regulation and Public Guidance

This role meets the requirements for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship and may also be eligible for the Global Talent route. Applicants may find the following UK government resources helpful:

Skilled Worker visa guidance: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

Global Talent visa overview: https://www.gov.uk/global-talent

Data protection and GDPR guidance: https://www.gov.uk/data-protection

What We Offer

UCL offers a rewarding and supportive working environment alongside an extensive benefits package, including:

• 41 days’ annual leave (including bank holidays and closure days)
• A defined benefit career-average pension scheme
• Hybrid and flexible working options where possible
• Cycle-to-work scheme and season ticket loans
• Immigration and relocation support for eligible roles
• On-site nursery and gym facilities
• Enhanced family leave and wellbeing support
• Further information on staff benefits is available via UCL’s rewards and benefits webpages.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

UCL is committed to being a fair, inclusive, and welcoming place to work. We believe that diversity drives excellence and innovation, and we actively encourage applications from individuals who are underrepresented in our workforce, including people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, and women at senior grades.

Applicants are encouraged to familiarise themselves with UCL policies on dignity at work, bullying and harassment, and professional conduct.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit:

• A CV
• A supporting statement demonstrating how you meet the essential and desirable criteria
• Applications will be assessed against the published job description and person specification.