High Wycombe - Full time - Permanent
Salary: £58,225 - £67,468
We’re not trying to fit in with the higher education status quo. We’re challenging it. We’re doing things differently – because our students, our staff, and our world need us to.
So this is an exciting moment to join us. We’re boldly reimagining what a university can be: a place rooted in social mobility, a community where difference is celebrated, and an institution that empowers people to become more than they thought possible.
We are looking for an experienced, strategic Admissions professional to lead all aspects of home undergraduate and postgraduate admissions, from initial enquiry through to enrolment at BNU. The postholder will manage the home admissions team, and own BNU's admissions policy, protocols, and compliance obligations. Using data and insight, the postholder will ensure an excellent applicant experience is delivered in partnership with colleagues across the university. This role will be a key part of the newly formed Student Experience Group and new ideas and initiatives will be welcomed.
The ideal candidate has experience in admissions and compliance, managing teams, process change management and system implementation, data analysis and delivering a service orientated approach.
What we offer:
- a generous holiday entitlement (30 days per annum, plus bank holidays & closure days)
- Hybrid working (dependent on business needs)
- training & development support opportunities
- contributory pension scheme
- discounted gym membership for our on-site gym
- a range of staff discounts with major retailers.
Please click here to see our wide range of benefits available for employees.
Please click here for our behavioural based interview question bank.
Please click here to view our employee handbook.
If you have the qualities and attributes representative of the University’s values and ambition, we would be delighted to hear from you.
For further information about this role please contact Libby Homer, [email protected]
All applications are to be made in full and online.
BNU is proud to have a diverse community and a strong track record of diversity, equity and inclusion. We are committed to promoting an inclusive and diverse workplace and aim to continue building an environment where everyone thrives and can be themselves. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in BNU’s workforce. These include people from global majority backgrounds, people with disabilities, and LGBTQI+ people, particularly in more senior roles.
Please let us know if you require any adjustments or support during the recruitment process. We are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments that would enable you to perform to the best of your abilities in your role. Please reach out to Libby Homer ([email protected]) if you have any specific needs or if you would like more information on how we can support you
We ensure that our interview/shortlisting Chairs complete the relevant e-learning and/or inclusive recruitment training.
If you are invited to interview for this role, you will need to provide evidence of your eligibility to work in the UK and if on a visa, current visa and status. Sponsorship is dependent on the salary level of the position
If you’re considering using AI to support your application, we encourage you to question the value it adds. The use of AI tools sometimes erodes authenticity and prevents us from being able to assess the real you. We strongly recommend you prepare your application using your own skills and knowledge and that AI is only used for the purpose of review.
Closing date: 12 July 2026
Interviews: 29 July 2026
At Buckinghamshire New University equality of opportunity and diversity is at the heart of all we do and fully integrated into our values. Our aim is to create an inclusive environment where everyone thrives and feels a sense of belonging. We are committed to diversity and welcome applications from different backgrounds and experiences.
Buckinghamshire New University is a Disability Confident employer and as such you will be given the opportunity to declare a disability as part of the application process.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title:
Head of Admissions
College/Directorate:
Student Experience Group
Hours: Full time, 37 hours per week
Responsible to: Chief Student Experience Officer
Responsible for: Home Admissions Team
Job Purpose:
The Head of Admissions is responsible for the strategic leadership and operational management of all aspects of home undergraduate and postgraduate admissions, from initial enquiry through to enrolment. The postholder will own BNU's admissions policy, protocols, and compliance obligations, including OfS transparency conditions, fair admissions requirements, UKVI immigration compliance, and the University's Access and Participation Plan commitments.
Working closely with colleagues in partnership and international admissions, the postholder will manage the Home Admissions team and align workflows across the admissions community and lead a high-performing Admissions team to deliver an outstanding applicant experience. They will use data and performance insight to drive continuous improvement, contribute to the University's student recruitment strategy, and provide senior leadership with timely intelligence to support student number planning and institutional decision-making.
The postholder will lead on digital development and systems improvement in the admissions function, engage actively in external networks and represent BNU with UCAS and other relevant bodies,
They will work collaboratively with a broad range of internal stakeholders and champion fair and inclusive admissions practice.
Main Duties & Responsibilities of the role:
- Take ownership of the full applicant journey from initial enquiry through to enrolment, including pre-application conversion activity, offer management, pre-arrival requirements, and the handoff to Registry at enrolment, ensuring a seamless and consistent experience at every stage.
- Lead on BNU’s admissions policy and protocols to ensure the admissions functions adhere to its regulatory obligations.
- Lead on the delivery of a fair, transparent, and inclusive admissions service in line with the OfS transparency conditions, the QAA UK Quality Code for admissions, and the University's Access and Participation Plan commitments, ensuring admissions practice actively supports widening participation objectives.
4. Lead on response to change in regulations, or other external bodies, working closely with colleagues in international and partner admissions to deliver aligned workflows.
5. Line management responsibilities for the Home Admissions Team including recruitment and selection, performance management, professional development, motivation, health & safety, and wellbeing, and have an agile approach to change.
6. Provide an outstanding applicant experience by developing core admissions processes, standards, and operations that are responsive, efficient, and consistently measured, using data and performance insight to lead a structured programme of continuous improvement, set measurable targets, identify and address underperformance, and contribute admissions expertise to the University's wider student recruitment strategy and planning cycles.
7. Lead on the implementation of effective systems and solutions to provide a seamless, high-quality service for applicants, working closely with IT colleagues to ensure technical systems are fit for purpose, continuously improved, and aligned with operational need.
8. Lead on the development and use of admissions management information, including yield modelling, offer rate analysis, conversion tracking, and applicant pipeline reporting, to inform operational decisions and provide timely intelligence to senior leadership and other stakeholders.
9. Lead the planning and operational delivery of Confirmation and Clearing, ensuring the University is prepared to respond effectively, with appropriate staffing, systems readiness, and coordinated activity with Student Recruitment and Marketing to maximise conversion opportunities.
10. Work in partnership with colleagues in Student Recruitment and Outreach, International Conversion Team and Marketing to develop comprehensive recruitment and conversion campaigns and manage the delivery of admissions responsibilities including conversion activity and applicant nurture.
11. Ensure that information is maintained on applicants in accordance with the University’s GDPR and data standards and information to applicants is accurate, relevant, and timely and held in accordance with retention policies.
12. Promote best practice across the University’s admissions community, providing admissions related information, advice, and guidance to support recruitment activity.
13. Ensure the home admissions processes are compliant with all UKVI requirements in relation to immigration processes.
14. Respond appropriately to complaints from applicants. Identify and understand the causes of any unnecessary applicant-led queries and work with the marketing and digital teams to develop solutions to remove these.
15.. Oversee the admissions formal appeals process, ensuring decisions are well-evidenced, consistently applied, and appropriately documented, and where relevant manage considerations relating to fitness to practise or enhanced DBS requirements.
16. Communicate effectively with internal stakeholders in order to understand and deliver their requirements building understand of and support for the work of the admissions team.
17. Foster close co-operation with other parts of the University positively engaging and working with Academic Colleges, Registry, and other departments.
18. Act as the University’s lead expert on national qualifications frameworks and on the interpretation of the University’s entry requirements. ensuring compliance with the University’s admissions policy and procedures and all regulatory requirements
19. Act as the key point of contact with UCAS and other relevant external agencies to ensure service delivery, anticipating the implications of external changes for the University’s central admissions functions.
20. Represent BNU externally through active engagement with other HEIs and relevant sector bodies and networks including UCAS, Academic Registrar’s Council Admissions Practitioner Group, and Advance HE, contributing to policy consultations where appropriate and bringing sector intelligence back to inform institutional practice.
21. Coordinate admissions training and operational guidance for the central Admissions team and all colleagues across the University involved in admissions decisions, including academic interviewers and offer-makers, ensuring consistent practice, regulatory compliance, and adherence to fair admissions principles.
22. Comply with relevant legislative and other requirements (e.g., the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR; Health and Safety; UKVI; OfS; Professional Bodies; and Equality and Diversity) in all working practices.
23. Such other duties temporarily or on a continuing basis, as may reasonably be required.
PERSON SPECIFICATION – Essential Criteria Only
A = Application T = Test I = Interview
A = Application T = Test I = Interview
Education, Qualifications & Training
In depth knowledge of home undergraduate, postgraduate taught and postgraduate research admissions processes in UK higher education sufficient to enable the post holder to function as a point of reference for these matters within the University.
Experience of the planning and organisation of large-scale, high- volume customer facing operations and delivering continuous improvement
Knowledge and understanding of the legislative and policy framework within which HE admissions operates, including fair admissions policy, the national quality assurance framework and consumer protection legislation
Experience of interpreting internal and external regulations and guidance, and leading the implementation of changes required to policies, systems and processes to secure compliance
Providing regular analysis and update of key data pertaining to applications, offers, conversion and related activity.
Experience of process review and projects as a vehicle for business change
Demonstrable track record in the management and development of teams including motivation activities and performance management.
Demonstrable service-oriented approach and experience of inspiring others to perform to high standards in challenging operational situations.
The ability to lead and motivate a team of staff, recognising individual differences and providing effective support, where required
Excellent organisational skills, including the ability to work to tight deadlines, under pressure and manage multiple competing priorities, while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail
Highly motivated and proactive, with a commitment to continuous improvement in order to deliver an efficient and effective service
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to provide written and oral guidance on regulatory, compliance and policy matters to staff at all levels of the institution
Good data handling and statistical analysis skills including the ability to produce data reports and present them.
Willingness to work extended hours at periods of peak business demand
Due to peak business demand the post holder must be available during the peak summer period in August and September. Any extended annual leave must be taken outside of this period
Behavioural INDICATORS
The BNU Behaviours Framework (BBF) is a framework for all University staff that sets out the key behaviours that exemplify the DRIVE values and ethos of the University. The nine categories provide a clear steer on behavioural expectations that will help support a step change in the performance and culture of the University. The three key behavioural indicators for this post are as follows:
Delivering Excellent Service
Defining and communicating excellent service for customers and students, by
- Seeking input from customers and students on what excellent service looks like
- Translating feedback from applicants, agents and partners into stretching service standard
- Monitoring and maintaining standards and policies, compiling with external regulation
- Encouraging others to find new ways of improving performance
Achieving results
Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Evaluating the success of projects and disseminating lessons that can be learned, by
- Openly and honestly sharing relevant data on measures of success
- Engaging relevant parties in identifying lessons learned
- Communicating themes and encouraging others to adapt plans and activities accordingly.
- Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.
- Planning and organising workload to ensure deadlines are met within resource constraints, and regularly reviewing the progress of activities, adjusting activities accordingly.
Using resources effectively
Identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets by
- Reviewing processes and eliminating low value activities wherever possible
- Only attending events, such as meetings or conferences, where there are clear objectives for attending.
- Identifying the appropriate information, training and knowledge people require and why.
- Identifying ways in which resources can be used flexibly and imaginatively
