4 Senior admissions officer jobs

The University of Southampton is a research‑intensive institution and a founding member of the Russell Group. Our aim is to change the world for the better through research, education and knowledge. Our people are at the heart of everything we do, and we are committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive.

Within the Office of Development & Alumni Relations (ODAR), we build lifelong relationships with our global alumni and supporters, helping them stay connected to Southampton and make a difference through their time, expertise and philanthropy. If you're excited by the idea of shaping and strengthening these communities, this role is for you.

About the role

This is an opportunity to lead a wide-ranging programme of engagement across our alumni and supporter communities. You will lead and develop a team of four, working across ODAR and the wider University to identify opportunities and deliver impactful programmes.

Your portfolio spans engagement and volunteering that advances University priorities – including student recruitment, graduate employability and philanthropy – while strengthening relationships with our international and high‑profile supporters.

A central part of the role is leading the volunteering strand of our first University‑wide fundraising and engagement campaign, the £100m Campaign for Southampton. You will also contribute to projects supporting Southampton's brand and reputation, and international engagement in key countries such as China and India.

As a member of ODAR's senior team, you will represent alumni and supporter engagement on cross‑University working groups and build relationships with stakeholders across the institution.

This role is offered on a hybrid basis, with a minimum of two days a week at Highfield, plus international travel typically once or twice a year.

About you

You'll bring experience building meaningful relationships with alumni, supporters, volunteers, members or similar stakeholder groups, with a track record of delivering successful engagement programmes – ideally drawing on insight and creativity to reach diverse audiences.

An excellent communicator and relationship‑builder, you can influence and work collaboratively with people at all levels. You combine strong organisational and project‑management skills with sound judgement to turn plans into measurable outcomes. You're also an experienced people manager who enjoys developing others.

A background in higher education, fundraising, advancement, charity, membership or another relationship‑led environment would be valuable, but transferable experience is equally welcome.

About us

ODAR has enjoyed an exciting period of growth as we prepare for the Campaign for Southampton. With backing from University leadership, we are investing in the people and programmes needed to deepen alumni and supporter engagement and deliver greater impact for Southampton.

We're a friendly, hardworking team with a passion for making a difference, looking for colleagues with intellectual curiosity, fresh ideas and the confidence to shape something ambitious.

We welcome applicants with direct experience or transferable skills and are committed to building a diverse, inclusive team where everyone can thrive. 

Apply by uploading your CV and a cover letter of up to two sides of A4, outlining how your skills and experience meet the role's requirements and what attracts you to the opportunity.

We are looking for an experienced safeguarding professional to join our Safeguarding Directorate. This role will provide excellent safeguarding support to Worcester Cathedral and the wider Diocese of Worcester. You will join a supportive and collaborative team in a role which will see you: 

• Take the lead role in supporting the Cathedral in all its safeguarding work, offering high-quality preventative and proactive safeguarding support in a way that delivers positive outcomes for children, young people and adults at risk.

• Respond well and compassionately to the vulnerable and victims and survivors of abuse 

• Train, advise and build confidence in others in an accessible way

• Support the work of senior leaders regarding the development of good safeguarding practice and healthy safeguarding cultures across the Diocese of Worcester 

We are seeking a skilled, person-centred individual who: 

• Has substantial safeguarding experience in a relevant profession
• Can provide confident advice and exercise sound judgement in line with relevant safeguarding legislation and policy

• Is an excellent communicator who inspires trust and works effectively with a wide range of stakeholders 

• Works with integrity, is resilient and a strong team player 

If you would like to join a small and friendly team, who are passionate in their mission to promote safeguarding into the hearts and minds of those we serve, then we would love to hear from you.  

Reporting to: Principal
Line managing: Site Manager, Professional Services team (Student Recruitment and Communications Manager and Office staff), IT Manager
Key Relationships: Senior Management Team, Head of Access to Learning, the Chair and Trustees of the City & Guilds of London Art School, Chair and Trustees of the City and Guilds Art School Property Trust
 

Main purpose of role:
The Director of Operations is an important, senior role at the Art School, responsible for supporting the Principal in the delivery of the Strategic Vision and to monitor the progress of its objectives. They are responsible for the efficient and effective management of internal resources and stakeholders, and will act as the deputy to the Principal in all matters excluding academic. They will also contribute to the oversight of recruitment of students and staff.
The Director of Operations provides vision and professional leadership of registry, professional services, IT, admissions, as well as the management of compliance, HR, and the Art School’s technical tutors. They have some oversight of marketing inasfar as it relates to recruitment. The Director of Operations is the key liaison with the Property Trust, which is the official landlord for the Art School and the governing body that oversees the main buildings at our site in Kennington. They are the lead person, responsible for the OfS return and so it is anticipated that the successful candidate would have a level of quality assurance experience and familiarity with policy oversight.

The Art School is an independent educational charity with approximately 300 students and 100 members of staff. The Art School is entering a new strategic planning cycle that will see us growing our profile and portfolio; expanding our international links and external partnerships; and, deepening our civic impact on our neighborhood in Kennington and further afield.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The main duties and responsibilities of the post are:
Leadership and Strategy

• Supporting the Principal in the delivery of the Strategic Vision for the Art School
• Working closely with the Head of Finance to allocate resources in line with the Art School improvement plan
• Oversee the management of and communication with, internal stakeholders of the School

Compliance and Governance

• Ensure that the systems and processes employed by the Art School comply with legal, audit and regulatory requirements,
• Oversee Risk Management, including Health & Safety compliance;
• Champion and oversee EDI across the Art School;
• Monitor the Art School’s performance against strategic objectives;
• Attend meetings of the Board of Trustees and relevant Committees, providing effective and timely reporting, proactive advice and support;
• Have overall responsibility for operational strategy including and policy management;
• To be the Art School ‘point of contact’ to the Property Trust;
• Manage legal and related matters as and when they arise.

Registry

• Oversee the team that handles student registry, academic administration and affairs, compliance and all non-academic matters of student experience;
• Ensure the accurate and timely submission of statutory and regulatory returns (e.g. to the Office for Students, Higher Education Statistics Agency, Office of the Independent Adjudicator for HE, Student Loans Company, UKVI etc);
• Act as the primary liaison for the Art School’s validating partners (Arts University Bournemouth, University of the Arts London Awarding Body);
• Act as Secretary to the Academic Board and oversee the arrangements for Art School Examination Boards;

Operations

• Implementation of HR processes and systems, seeking external advice as appropriate;
• Recruitment and line management of operational staff;
• Lead the process for the Art School’s annual staff appraisal scheme (Individual Performance Review) recommending associated staff development and training activities as agreed with the Principal;
• Day-to-day oversight of the professional teams managing the Estate, Technical Resources and IT infrastructure, and lead strategic planning relevant to these areas;
• Chair the Art School’s Site and Environment Committee;
• Manage the relationship with the Property Trust on a day-to-day basis.

External Profile and Recruitment

• Supporting the Principal to ensure successful student recruitment, working collaboratively with other academics;
• Development of the Art School’s activities (including commercial activities), short courses and profile;
• Oversee the Health & Safety and other logistical aspects of public events such as Degree Show

Additional Duties and Responsibilities

• Deputise where appropriate for the Principal;
• Lead and undertake Health and Safety duties and responsibilities appropriate to the role;
• Undertake other duties of a reasonable nature, as may be determined by the post holder’s line manager from time to time, in consultation with the post holder.

It is the duty of the post holder not to act in a prejudicial or discriminatory manner towards members of staff, students, visitors or members of the public. The post holder should also counteract such practice or behaviour in others by challenging and reporting it.
This is a description of the job as it is presently constituted. It is the Art School’s practice to periodically review job descriptions to ensure that they accurately reflect the job that is required to be performed, or to incorporate proposed reasonable changes following negotiation with the postholder.