Student Recruitment Lead

Job Category : Administrative

Job Type : Full Time

Job Reference Number : HR-FT-71-2025

Job Open Date : 2025-12-11 - Deadline: 2026-01-11

Job Location : Abu Dhabi, UAE

Description du poste

The Student recruitment lead manages the team in developing and implementing recruitment strategies aligned with Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi’s strategic goals.

The role is under the supervision of the Head of Student Recruitment and part of the Communications, Marketing, and Public Affairs division, which also includes:

Communication Team: Responsible for institutional, internal, international, and event communication. This team also manages university rankings, design creation, media relations, social media, photography, videography, and website.
Public Affairs Team: Manages partnerships, sponsorships, and donor relations.

These three teams work closely together under the direction of the Head of Division, who reports directly to university management to ensure a unified strategy and cross-functional collaboration.

This role requires strategic leadership, team management, and strong collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.

The Student recruitment lead manages student admissions (Emirati, international, and exchange students) for bachelor's and master's programs in close collaboration with the registrar’s office. This role is the one of the middle manager who oversees the operational follow-up of student enrollments. The team will consist of an Undergraduate and International unit (three people), which he will directly supervise, and a Postgraduate unit, which is overseen by a senior position.

A strong digital knowledge is required to improve the recruitment process towards more automation and AI follow up.

Responsabilités

Strategic planning and leadership

Develop and implement innovative recruitment strategies to meet enrolment targets.
Lead and motivate the Student Recruitment Team to achieve objectives (doubling enrollments in five years, with a 50% international and 50% Emirati student ratio).
Conduct competitive benchmarking and adjust strategies accordingly.
Oversee the daily operations of recruitment activities, ensuring alignment with strategic goals.
Mentor and support the Recruitment Team in their professional development and the execution of their duties.

Event Management and Coordination

Lead the planning and execution of major recruitment events, such as university fairs, open days, and school visits, both locally and internationally.
Organize recruitment events and maintain partnerships and databases with professors, schools, agencies, and companies.
Evaluate event success and provide insights for continuous improvement.

Automation of the Student Recruitment Journey

Supervise the applicant journey and recommend digital improvements to enhance efficiency.
Co-create recruitment campaigns and digital marketing initiatives with the Communications Department.
Optimize SEO, CRM, and automation tools.
Analyze performance metrics and adjust strategies for maximum impact.

Stakeholder Engagement

Develop and maintain relationships with key external stakeholders, including educational institutions, counsellors, and corporate partners, to enhance recruitment efforts.
Maintain and regularly update the external stakeholder database.
Collaborate with academic departments and Admissions to ensure cohesive communication and promotional strategies.

Data Analysis and Reporting

Monitor and analyze recruitment data to assess the effectiveness of strategies and initiatives.
Prepare and present detailed reports on recruitment trends, outcomes, and forecasts to the Head of Student Recruitment.

Marketing and Communication

Assist in the development and implementation of marketing and communication strategies to attract prospective students.
Ensure all recruitment materials and communications reflect the University’s brand and meet quality standards.

Budget Monitoring

Oversee budget allocations for student recruitment initiatives and track expenditures.
Ensure regular reporting and budget optimization.
Analyze recruitment forecasts and assess budget impacts.

Policies and Procedures

Adhere to departmental policies, processes, standard operating procedures, and instructions to ensure work is carried out in a controlled and consistent manner.

Related Assignments

Perform additional tasks or assignments as directed by

Compétences

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Communication, or related field. Master’s degree preferred.

Minimum Experience

5+ years of experience in student recruitment, marketing or related field, preferably in the higher education sector with at least 2 years in a supervisory or managerial role.

Job-Specific Skills

Strong digital expertise.
Strong leadership and team management skills.
Excellent organizational and event management skills.
Proficient in data analysis and performance monitoring.
Robust analytical skills and data-driven decision-making.
Superior communication and interpersonal skills, capable of working with diverse teams and stakeholders.
Proficiency in marketing and recruitment technology tools.
Languages: Fluent in English; proficiency in Arabic or French is advantageous.

Employment Conditions

Travel: Ability to travel extensively both locally and internationally.
Flexible working schedule: Flexibility in working hours including weekends and evenings as needed

Student Recruitment Lead