Head of Student Engagement

Aston University; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent training and development

30 days annual leave

Bank holidays and university closure

Discounts for activities and retailers

Family-friendly policies

On-site gym and pool

Benefits and rewards information

Job summary

Aston University in Birmingham invites applications for Head of Student Engagement within the Student Life Directorate. The post leads institutional engagement, attendance monitoring, learner analytics and enrichment through co- and extracurricular activities, workshops and student success initiatives.

You will shape strategy, manage a high-performing team, collaborate with academic and professional services and external partners, ensure regulatory compliance, and translate engagement insight

Qualifications

• Experience leading student engagement, student success, attendance, learner analytics or related activity.
• Ability to translate engagement data into strategic actions affecting belonging and participation.
• Experience working with academic, professional services and external stakeholders in audit or assurance contexts.

Responsibilities

• Strategic leadership of student engagement, attendance and institutional interventions.
• UKVI, attendance monitoring and regulatory assurance responsibilities.
• Data-led service planning, KPI oversight and actionable insight.
• Development of enrichment activities, workshops and student success opportunities.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Data analytics

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder engagement

UKVI attendance monitoring

Team leadership

Education

Degree or equivalent

Tools

Analytics software

Job description

ClosingDate: 23.59 hours BST on Friday 18 September 2026

InterviewDate: Thursday 08 October 2026

Reference: 1222-26

ReleaseDate: Monday 17 August 2026

Aston University’s 2030 strategy is Inclusive, Entrepreneurial and Transformational. We are building a new model of university for a changing world, delivering measurable impact for our students, staff, partners and communities.

Within this vision, the Student Life Directorate plays a central role in assisting students from transition through to successful completion, providing expert guidance on engagement, wellbeing and student success.

We are seeking a Head of Student Engagement to join Aston University’s Student Life Directorate.

We're looking for someone capable of providing strategic leadership for institutional engagement activity, attendance and engagement monitoring, learner analytics, interventions, regulatory assurance, change, service development and a complementary programme of student enrichment through co- and extracurricular events, workshops and engagement opportunities. The successful candidate will combine regulatory confidence, student-centred thinking, data fluency and the ability to translate engagement intelligence into meaningful action that strengthens belonging, participation and student success.

Key Responsibilities and Priorities

• Strategic leadership of student engagement, attendance and institutional interventions
• UKVI, student attendance and engagement monitoring expertise
• Data-led service planning, KPI oversight and actionable insight
• Development of enrichment activity that complements formal engagement monitoring, including co- and extracurricular events, workshops and student success opportunities
• Change leadership during implementation of the revised Attendance and Engagement Policy
• Audit, regulatory assurance and confident stakeholder engagement

About You

• You have substantial experience in student engagement, student success, attendance, learner analytics, compliance or a related portfolio.
• You understand the intersection between student support, regulatory obligations, UKVI requirements, student belonging and enrichment activity that encourages participation beyond the curriculum.
• You can use data to generate actionable insight and influence institutional change.
• You are confident working with academic, professional service and external stakeholders, including in audit or assurance contexts.
• You will have a degree-level qualification or equivalent substantial professional experience, alongside evidence of management and leadership development relevant to a senior role.
• You will bring significant experience leading student engagement, student success, retention, compliance or related activity in Higher Education or a comparable complex setting, including strategic planning, service development, data-led decision-making and team leadership.
• Experience of learner analytics, attendance monitoring, engagement system development, Access and Participation, continuation, regulatory performance or senior governance would be advantageous.

What we offer:

• Aston University is a dynamic and vibrant campus located within Birmingham city centre, which has excellent transport links via bus or train.
• Excellent training and development opportunities.
• A generous annual leave scheme with 30 days bookable leave and a further 13 days bank holiday and University Closure days.
• Everyday discounts to a number of activities and retailers.
• Great family friendly policies.
• On site gym and pool with discounted staff membership available
• Further information on our Benefits and Rewards can be found here .

This role may meet the requirements for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. If you require sponsorship, Aston University will assess eligibility if you are shortlisted for the role. Please note we are unable to confirm individual eligibility before shortlisting.See here for more information on Skilled Worker visa eligibility: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

Anonymous shortlisting will be carried out for this role as part of Aston University’s commitment to equality and diversity and ensuring a fair and consistent approach to recruitment. Personal details that are included on application forms, including the candidate’s name and address will not be disclosed to the shortlisting panel. CVs will not be considered as part of the shortlisting process.

The University celebrates the rights of freedom of speech and academic freedom and is committed to maintaining and protecting these rights within the law. An offer to work at Aston University will never be denied on the basis of an individual’s lawful expression of their beliefs, ideas or opinions.

Aston University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. It promotes equality and diversity in all aspects of its work. We strive to have robust inclusivity strategies in place, to encourage colleagues to have the confidence and freedom to be themselves in the workplace. For more information, visit: https://www2.aston.ac.uk/about/inclusive-aston

Guidance on AI-Assisted Applications
While we cannot prevent applicants from using AI tools to support their application, we ask that all submissions reflect your own experience, achievements, and motivations. We want to understand what you personally bring to the role, so please ensure your application represents your own voice and capabilities.