Location: Lagos, Nigeria
We are looking for a talented, dedicated professional to be a Nigeria – based Recruitment Officer supporting the University of Chester, a prestigious UK university voted best for International and Postgraduate students two years in a row (WUSCA) and Business School of the Year 2024 (THE Awards).
This role offers an exciting opportunity to fully represent the University across the key market of Nigeria, driving student recruitment and strengthening partnerships in the region.
The postholder will represent the University of Chester internationally, raising its global brand and profile while contributing to the achievement of the University’s ambitious targets for international student recruitment and regional partnership development. The role holder will work alongside the International Marketing, Recruitment and Admissions team and will contribute to the University’s overall international student recruitment targets by taking primary responsibility for student recruitment activity, lead generation and conversion of prospective students in Nigeria.
About Grok Global Services
Founded in 2005, Grok Global Services is a best-in-class provider of international engagement services for higher education institutions. By joining our team, you will be working in a supportive environment full of like-minded professionals, each committed to advancing the internationalization of higher education institutions from around the world.
A pioneer of in-country staffing in the international education sector, Grok remains at the forefront of this model and currently delivers this service across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas. The company also boasts industry-leading divisions in digital marketing and strategic consulting.
University of Chester
The University of Chester is one of the oldest higher education providers in the United Kingdom, established as a teacher training college in 1839. Today, the university offers more than 200 courses at Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Research level.
Over the years, the University of Chester has built a vibrant, diverse, and supportive student community, with 14,000 students originating from over 130 countries worldwide.
Chester’s courses emphasise practical learning, encouraging students to build transferable skills and enhance career prospects via industry placements or overseas opportunities.
Working with the International Centre, you will become part of a highly successful team of UK- and overseas-based representatives, continuing to strengthen and expand our student recruitment achievements.
About the Role
The postholder’s primary focus will be to implement regional and country recruitment plans in Nigeria, working closely with the UK-based manager, to support the International Marketing, Recruitment and Admissions team in providing a resilient base of applications and enrolments to the University.
In addition, you will play a crucial part in working with maintaining and developing relationships with the University’s key stakeholders in the region including key schools, colleges and agents. Preparation and delivery of presentations and workshops to students, agents and school counsellors, representing the University of Chester at education exhibitions and in-country events.
We’re seeking someone who combines strategic thinking with hands-on execution. This role is ideal for a person who can contribute to long-term planning and decision-making, while also taking ownership of the day-to-day administrative and operational tasks that keep the organization running smoothly.
Main duties and responsibilities
- Work closely with colleagues from recruitment, admissions, marketing and colleagues to support and deliver in-country projects and activities;
- Contribute to annual market recruitment plans for designated markets working closely with the regional team to provide high-quality market analysis and country-specific updates to inform future planning;
- Foster a collaborative team culture that prioritises teamwork and a growth mindset resulting and increase our Nigerian regional targets and KPIs and lead on the strategic planning and execution of student recruitment initiatives;
- Work closely with students to support them through their entire student journey from the enquiry, application, offer, conversion and enrolment stage;
- Promote and develop an understanding of the University’s programmes and USPs;
- Manage all direct student enquiries, assess qualifications and oversee applications to ensure successful and timely responses from the university.
- Act as the specialist responsible for marketing the University in Nigeria;
- Contribute towards broader initiatives to ensure and implement an excellent applicant and student experience. This includes participation in cross-functional activities such as alumni reception events, conversion confirmation and clearing, career related events etc.;
- Consult on and communicate intake targets at the start of each admissions cycle, review performance, make suggestions for improvement, and disseminate good practice;
- When not travelling the successful candidate will be expected to work from home or from the Grok office
- Act as the specialist responsible for marketing the University in specific countries;
- Provide specialist market advice and information, practical assistance and encouragement to the University’s academic groupings in their international student recruitment and partnership activities;
- Provide regular reports on performance against KPIs, market updates and regional analysis to ensure Chester’s performance is in line with overall recruitment strategy, as well as contribute to monthly recruitment meetings and International Centre activities as necessary.
- Identify and maintain relationships with local and regional institutions, government organisations and advantageous business partners to further enhance Chester’s regional profile.
Person Specification
- A minimum of 4+ years of experience in increasingly responsible roles related to international student recruitment.
- Bachelor’s degree with good to strong academic performance. Master’s degree is an advantage.
- Experience of supporting international student recruitment and working with students in a counselling, recruitment, and conversion role.
- Experience of managing agents and other partners
- Ability to organise own workload under pressures of time, resources and attention to detail.
- Proficiency in IT software, including the Microsoft Office suite
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to present effectively to diverse audiences in an engaging way.
- Ability to travel extensively (40% of time) and at short notice.
- Proficiency in working with and interpreting data to provide analysis and proposed actions in relation to markets.
- Ability to respond positively and creatively to unforeseen events whilst at home and abroad.
- Development of own area of specialist responsibility and meeting set targets.
- Evidence of having managed projects, and other resources.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to present effectively to diverse audiences in an engaging way.
- The ability to work independently for long periods whilst remaining a fully contributing member of the team, including with staff/colleagues located across different time zones. Ability and willingness to travel extensively and at short notice.
