Senior Student Relations Specialist

University of Fort Hare; Midrand; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent educational institution in Midrand seeks a student-focused professional dedicated to enhancing the student experience. The role encompasses managing complex queries, supporting registration and academic progression, and delivering orientation programs. Ideal candidates possess a relevant qualification and experience in customer relations within higher education, alongside excellent communication and problem-solving skills. Join the team to make a positive impact on student success.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in customer relations within higher education.
• Strong knowledge of academic policies and student lifecycle management.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex queries.

Responsibilities

• Manage complex student queries and support retention initiatives.
• Deliver academic orientation programs for students.
• Facilitate ongoing communication campaigns regarding academic processes.

Skills

Excellent communication

Problem-solving

Stakeholder engagement

Attention to detail

Student-centric service orientation

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification

Job description

Monthly Cost To Company (Market related)

This role plays a critical role as a student-facing Centre of Excellence, ensuring an exceptional student experience across all stages of the academic lifecycle. Reporting to the Senior Customer Relations Officer / Academic Operations leadership, this role is responsible for managing complex student queries, providing expert guidance on registration and academic progression, and supporting campus-wide retention initiatives.

As a senior member of the Customer Relations Centre, the incumbent acts as a key liaison between students and non-student-facing Centres of Excellence, while also providing mentorship, operational support, and insights to improve service delivery.

Key Responsibilities

Student Registration & Academic Progression Counselling

• Facilitate in-depth consultations with students requiring changes to their registration contracts (within semesters, between semesters, or across academic years).
• Interpret and advise on complex curriculum scenarios, including phase-in and phase-out structures, in collaboration with the Admissions Centre.
• Support and co-ordinate campus Retention Projects alongside Academic Operations leadership.

Active Student Engagement & Support

• Deliver academic orientation programmes for new and returning students, including programme structures, academic policies, and the academic calendar.
• Manage and communicate student-related policy updates and amendments.
• Conduct programme information sessions, class visits, and student engagement initiatives to address concerns and reinforce academic procedures.
• Facilitate ongoing communication campaigns via email to ensure consistent awareness of policies and processes.
• Provide guidance on assignment submission processes, including the correct use of anti-plagiarism tools.

Student Query Resolution

• Resolve complex student queries across multiple channels within agreed Service Level Agreements.
• Ensure accurate and detailed capturing of all student interactions on the academic system.
• Generate and issue official academic letters and documentation upon request.
• Manage escalated and unresolved queries from The Student HUB, referring to senior leadership where required.
• Support the administration and roll-out of student satisfaction and customer-related surveys.
• Engage with academic and administrative departments to remain informed of changes impacting student processes.
• Facilitate seamless resolution of student queries that require interdepartmental collaboration.

Team Support, Administration & Compliance

• Ensure consistent and accurate student notes and records are maintained on academic systems.
• Maintain advanced knowledge of programmes, products, and institutional policies.
• Identify recurring query trends and proactively expedite insights to senior management.
• Support, guide, and mentor Customer Relations Centre team members to drive service excellence.
• Ensure full compliance with POPIA and relevant institutional governance requirements.
• Collaborate closely with the broader Academic Operations team to support operational efficiency.
• Relevant tertiary qualification.
• Proven experience in customer relations, student administration, or academic operations within a higher education environment.
• Strong knowledge of academic policies, registration processes, and student lifecycle management.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex queries and support team operations.
• High level of professionalism, discretion, and compliance awareness (POPIA).

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Student-centric with a strong service orientation.
• Confident in handling sensitive and complex student matters.
• Detail-driven with strong administrative and system skills.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, high-volume academic environment.
• Able to support leadership and contribute to continuous process improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Student Registration & Academic Progression Counselling

• Facilitate in-depth consultations with students requiring changes to their registration contracts (within semesters, between semesters, or across academic years).
• Interpret and advise on complex curriculum scenarios, including phase-in and phase-out structures, in collaboration with the Admissions Centre.
• Support and co-ordinate campus Retention Projects alongside Academic Operations leadership.

Active Student Engagement & Support

• Deliver academic orientation programmes for new and returning students, including programme structures, academic policies, and the academic calendar.
• Manage and communicate student-related policy updates and amendments.
• Conduct programme information sessions, class visits, and student engagement initiatives to address concerns and reinforce academic procedures.
• Facilitate ongoing communication campaigns via email to ensure consistent awareness of policies and processes.
• Provide guidance on assignment submission processes, including the correct use of anti-plagiarism tools.

Student Query Resolution

• Resolve complex student queries across multiple channels within agreed Service Level Agreements.
• Ensure accurate and detailed capturing of all student interactions on the academic system.
• Generate and issue official academic letters and documentation upon request.
• Manage escalated and unresolved queries from The Student HUB, referring to senior leadership where required.
• Support the administration and roll-out of student satisfaction and customer-related surveys.

Cross-Departmental Liaison

• Engage with academic and administrative departments to remain informed of changes impacting student processes.
• Facilitate seamless resolution of student queries that require interdepartmental collaboration.

Team Support, Administration & Compliance

• Ensure consistent and accurate student notes and records are maintained on academic systems.
• Maintain advanced knowledge of programmes, products, and institutional policies.
• Identify recurring query trends and proactively expedite insights to senior management.
• Support, guide, and mentor Customer Relations Centre team members to drive service excellence.
• Ensure full compliance with POPIA and relevant institutional governance requirements.
• Collaborate closely with the broader Academic Operations team to support operational efficiency.

Minimum Requirements

• Relevant tertiary qualification.
• Proven experience in customer relations, student administration, or academic operations within a higher education environment.
• Strong knowledge of academic policies, registration processes, and student lifecycle management.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex queries and support team operations.
• High level of professionalism, discretion, and compliance awareness (POPIA).

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Student-centric with a strong service orientation.
• Confident in handling sensitive and complex student matters.
• Detail-driven with strong administrative and system skills.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, high-volume academic environment.
• Able to support leadership and contribute to continuous process improvement.

Please note that only suitable candidates will be contacted.