Vice Dean of Overseas Admissions

ACS International; Cobham; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

5% matched pension

Private Medical Insurance

Eye care

Employee Assistance Programme

Free parking

Dining discounts

Gym facilities

Job summary

ACS International Schools is seeking a Vice Dean of Overseas Admissions to drive international student recruitment and admissions across our UK campuses. You will develop targeted overseas recruitment strategies, identify new markets and build relationships with international families, consultants and agents.

You will oversee the admissions journey from enquiry to enrolment, coordinate with campus teams, and lead the global network of ACS Ambassador Agents to maximise enrolments.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in admissions, international student recruitment or related educational environment.
• Strong understanding of international schools, IB programmes and admissions processes.
• Experience developing international recruitment markets and managing relationships with agents and educational consultants.
• Experience leading, managing or mentoring colleagues, including remote teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver overseas recruitment strategies and identify new markets.
• Build relationships with international families, consultants and agents.
• Represent ACS at overseas education fairs and events with extensive travel.
• Oversee the overseas admissions process from enquiry to enrolment, ensuring a seamless journey.
• Lead the ACS Ambassador Agents network and maximise their contribution to recruitment.
• Collaborate with campus admissions, academic leaders and marketing to drive activity.

Skills

International admissions

Student recruitment

Stakeholder management

Travel coordination

Education

Degree or equivalent

Job description

Are you an experienced international admissions or student recruitment professional with a passion for international education and building relationships across global markets? Are you commercially minded, highly motivated and excited by the opportunity to develop international recruitment opportunities and attract students from around the world?

ACS International Schools is seeking an ambitious and relationship-driven Vice Dean of Overseas Admissions to support the strategic development and delivery of our international student recruitment and admissions activities across our UK schools.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional to play a key role in expanding our international reach, developing new recruitment markets and increasing student enrolment from overseas families, including those seeking a UK education primarily for its academic opportunities and families considering international boarding school options.

About the Role

Working closely with the Dean of Admissions and wider school leadership, you will develop and deliver targeted overseas recruitment strategies, identify new market opportunities and build strong relationships with international families, educational consultants, agents and other key stakeholders.

You will play a pivotal role in promoting ACS International Schools and its academic programmes, boarding provision and wider educational offering to prospective families worldwide. Through international education fairs, exhibitions, agent workshops and overseas meetings, you will represent ACS on a global stage, generating enquiries, developing partnerships and converting prospective interest into successful enrolments.

You will also oversee the overseas admissions journey, working collaboratively with campus Admissions teams, Principals, Heads of Boarding and other senior colleagues to ensure prospective families receive a professional, responsive and welcoming experience from initial enquiry through to enrolment.

A key aspect of the role will be leading and developing our global network of ACS Ambassador Agents, strengthening existing relationships and identifying opportunities to maximise their contribution to international student recruitment.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the development and delivery of ACS’s international recruitment and overseas admissions strategy, identifying new markets and opportunities for growth
• Build and maintain strong relationships with international families, educational consultants, recruitment agents and strategic partners
• Represent ACS at overseas education fairs, exhibitions, conferences, agent workshops and other international recruitment events. Extensive international travel will be required
• Develop targeted recruitment initiatives to generate enquiries, applications and enrolments from international day and boarding students
• Lead and develop the global network of ACS Ambassador Agents, providing ongoing support, guidance and tailored engagement initiatives
• Oversee the overseas admissions process, ensuring a professional and seamless experience for prospective families throughout their admissions journey
• Work collaboratively with campus Admissions teams, academic leaders, boarding teams and Marketing colleagues to deliver effective international recruitment activity
• Monitor market trends, competitor activity, recruitment pipelines and conversion rates to inform strategy and maximise enrolment opportunities
• Contribute to recruitment targets, budget management, reporting and the continuous improvement of international admissions processes.

About You

• You will be a UK citizen/based in the UK and an experienced international admissions or student recruitment professional with a strong understanding of the international education sector and the factors influencing overseas families when choosing a school
• You will bring a proven ability to develop and deliver international recruitment strategies, build successful relationships across different cultures and identify opportunities to grow student enrolment. You will be commercially aware, confident representing an organisation internationally and comfortable working with senior leaders and external stakeholders.

You will also have:

• Significant experience in admissions, international student recruitment or a related educational environment
• A strong understanding of international schools, IB programmes and admissions processes
• Experience developing international recruitment markets and managing relationships with agents and educational consultants
• Experience leading, managing or mentoring colleagues, including remote teams
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation and relationship-building skills
• Strong organisational and project management abilities, with confidence analysing data and using insights to inform decisions
• A proactive, solutions-focused approach and the ability to manage competing priorities
• The flexibility and willingness to undertake extensive international travel
• A degree or equivalent relevant professional experience is required
• Additional language skills, particularly Chinese, Korean or Russian, would be advantageous.

Why Join ACS International Schools?

ACS International Schools provides an internationally minded and collaborative educational environment, bringing together students and colleagues from a diverse range of cultural backgrounds.

You will join a team committed to delivering an exceptional educational experience and have the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the continued growth and international reputation of ACS.

Benefits include:

• A competitive salary (disclosed to applicants)
• 5% matched pension scheme
• life assurance
• Private Medical Insurance (optional, taxable)
• eye care
• Employee Assistance Programme
• free parking
• discounted dining
• use of gym facilities.

If you are passionate about international education, building global partnerships and developing successful student recruitment strategies, we would love to hear from you.

Start date:

January 2027, to be confirmed

Right to work:

Applicants need to have Right to Work status/be based in the UK as visa sponsorship is not possible for this opportunity

Safeguarding:

ACS International Schools is committed to inclusion across race, gender, faith, identity and abilities. We believe that diversity strengthens our community and helps us fulfil our purpose, realise our vision and exemplify our values.

ACS is also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. All appointments are therefore subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS check with barred list check, satisfactory references, prohibition checks and overseas checks where applicable. In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), we may also carry out online searches on shortlisted candidates.