Student Engagement Lead

University of Surrey; Guildford; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

32 days holiday + Bank Holidays

Industry-leading pension up to 30%

Salary sacrifice benefits

Work-from-home opportunities

Job summary

University of Surrey is seeking an experienced Student Engagement Lead to drive engagement and attendance analytics across the student lifecycle. You will lead data-informed improvements, guiding academic schools and professional services with evidence-based policy and practice.

Reporting to the Chief Student Office, you will develop platforms, coordinate with the Data and Systems Lead, and ensure regulatory and sector obligations are met while embedding student voice in the process.

Qualifications

• Experience leading student engagement and attendance analytics in higher education environments.
• Strong data analysis, evaluation and reporting skills to inform decision-making.
• Ability to translate complex information into clear, credible insights for stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Own and develop the university's student engagement and attendance platform with the Data and Systems Lead.
• Conduct robust analyses to identify patterns and risk indicators across the student lifecycle.
• Translate analysis into practical insights for Student Success Coordinators, academic colleagues and leaders; provide regular reports.

Job description

Help us use insight, partnership and innovation to improve student engagement and attendance. At the University of Surrey, we're committed to creating an exceptional experience for every student. As we continue to invest in improving our services, systems and ways of working, we're looking for an experienced and forward-thinking Student Engagement Lead to join our Chief Student Office. This is a fantastic opportunity to play a key role in developing and embedding the University's approach to student engagement and attendance. Working closely with the Student Life Continuous Improvement Manager, academic colleagues, professional services and the Data and Systems Lead, you'll use high-quality data, analysis and evaluation to identify opportunities, inform decision-making and support interventions that improve outcomes for students. You'll help build the evidence base for effective engagement practice across the University, translating complex information into clear, credible and actionable insight. Your work will contribute directly to improving continuation, progression and attainment, ensuring that students are supported to succeed throughout their journey at Surrey. Nestled amongst the rolling hills of the Surrey countryside, we offer market-leading benefits and a role in which you can make a real impact on people's lives. We value, empower and support every member of staff to get the best out of your unique talents, so you'll be rewarded with a generous salary, 32 days holiday PLUS Bank Holidays, an industry-leading pension of up to 30%, salary sacrifice benefits, work-from-home opportunities and a unique and vibrant working environment on campus.

The Role

You'll lead the University's student engagement and attendance activity, ensuring that monitoring, analysis and improvement work is evidence-based, student-centred and aligned to institutional priorities. As a key member of the Continuous Improvement team, you will:

1. Own and continuously develop the University's student engagement and attendance platform, working alongside the Data and Systems Lead to ensure data is accurate, timely, well structured and effectively used across the institution.
2. Lead robust analysis of engagement and attendance data to identify patterns, trends, risk indicators and key points in the student lifecycle where disengagement is most likely.
3. Translate analysis into practical and actionable insight for Student Success Coordinators, Student Support Coordinators, academic colleagues and institutional leaders, providing regular reports and evaluations on the impact of engagement interventions.
4. Act as the University-wide subject matter expert on student engagement and attendance monitoring, advising academic schools and professional services on effective, evidence-based approaches, processes and guidance.
5. Build the credible evidence base linking engagement and attendance activity to continuation, progression and attainment outcomes, using insight to influence institutional practice, policy, resourcing and targeted improvement projects.
6. Work with Strategic Planning, academic colleagues and relevant compliance teams to ensure that engagement and attendance practice meets regulatory and sector obligations, including visa and attendance monitoring requirements.
7. Embed student voice into engagement and attendance activity, ensuring students have meaningful input into how engagement is monitored, understood and supported.
8. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of sector practice and emerging approaches to engagement analytics, policy and processes, bringing new thinking to the University's approach and working with colleagues to embed and evaluate improvements.

You'll enjoy working with complex information and using data to solve problems and improve services. You'll be confident working across multiple priorities, able to communicate analytical information clearly, and skilled at building trust and influencing colleagues across academic and professional services. Most importantly, you'll be passionate about the student experience and committed to ensuring that every student has the opportunity to engage, succeed and achieve their ambitions.

The role is focused on institutional engagement and attendance monitoring, analysis and improvement rather than individual student case management or direct responsibility for student interventions. You will provide expertise, insight and practical support to colleagues who work directly with students.

What's in it for you?

You'll join a supportive and forward-thinking team that is passionate about improving outcomes for students. In return, we offer excellent opportunities for professional development, flexible working arrangements and the chance to contribute to an ambitious programme of digital, data and service transformation at one of the UK's leading universities. Our campus is a beautiful, leafy environment with carefully designed gardens, vibrant green playing fields and a picturesque lake. With the buzz of student life and superb working facilities, the University of Surrey is a global community of ideas and people, dedicated to life-changing education and research.

Alongside our gorgeous campus setting, collegiate on-site atmosphere and plentiful development opportunities, we also offer:

• Competitive salary
• Market-leading pension of up to 30%
• Up to 40 days' holiday: 25 days annual leave + 7 University days + Bank Holidays
• Salary sacrifice benefits, including subsidised rail fare, cycle-to-work scheme and on-site discounted childcare
• Student discount eligibility
• Access to world-class leisure facilities at discounted rates
• On-site parking, cafés, restaurants and coffee shops

The University is committed to providing an inclusive environment that offers equal opportunities for all. We place great value on diversity and are seeking to increase the diversity within our community. Therefore, we particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups, such as people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups and people with disabilities.