Student Retention Manager - Maternity Cover (S

Opportunity Review: Student Retention Manager (Fixed-Term Maternity Cover) at Birmingham City University

Birmingham City University is offering an exciting opportunity for a dedicated and experienced professional to join their newly formed Student Advice & Community team as a Student Retention Manager. This role is offered on a fixed-term basis to provide essential maternity cover, presenting a chance to contribute significantly to student success within a dynamic higher education environment.

The core of this position lies in leading the university's operational strategies to enhance student continuation rates. You will be instrumental in leveraging data-informed interventions to identify and support students who may be facing challenges. This is a leadership role, managing a team of retention officers and coordinators responsible for monitoring student engagement, proactively reaching out to students, and connecting them with appropriate support services.

Advantages for Candidates:

• Impactful Leadership Role: This position offers a significant leadership opportunity to shape and implement strategies that directly contribute to student well-being and academic success. You will manage a team, fostering their development while driving the retention agenda.
• Data-Driven Strategy: For those with a passion for analytics and evidence-based decision-making, this role provides a fantastic platform to utilize data to inform interventions, monitor performance, and contribute to the refinement of the university's overall retention strategy.
• Collaborative Environment: You will have the chance to work closely with a diverse range of stakeholders, including academic colleagues, Timetabling, and various student-facing services. This collaborative approach ensures a holistic and supportive student experience.
• Continuous Improvement Focus: The role encourages an understanding and application of continuous improvement principles within a fast-paced and evolving higher education landscape.
• Valuable Experience: This fixed-term position offers invaluable experience in student retention management, stakeholder engagement, and team leadership within a large and diverse university setting.

Key Considerations for Candidates:

• Fixed-Term Nature: It is important to note that this role is for a fixed term to cover maternity leave. While offering a substantial opportunity, candidates should be aware of the temporary nature of the position.
• On-Site Presence Required: Due to the student-focused nature of the role, a minimum of three days per week on campus is mandatory, with the potential for work across multiple Birmingham City University campuses.
• Understanding of HE Support Structures: A strong understanding of student support mechanisms within higher education and the current challenges students face is crucial for success in this role.
• Team Management Experience: Proven experience in managing teams, particularly those in customer or student-facing roles, will be highly advantageous.
• Data and Systems Proficiency: Candidates should be comfortable working with data to inform decisions, monitor performance, and utilize various systems to gain insights.

This Student Retention Manager role presents a compelling chance to make a tangible difference in the lives of students at Birmingham City University. If you are a motivated leader with a passion for supporting student success and possess the requisite skills in data analysis, stakeholder management, and team leadership, this opportunity could be a significant step in your career path.