Director of Admissions & Marketing

Overview of the Achieve Family of Schools

Chase Grammar School is an independent boarding school in the heart of Cannock, close to the beautiful Staffordshire countryside of Cannock Chase. Buildings are largely modern and well designed, including a sizeable Sports Hall. There are 27 acres of playing fields on a separate site. We pride ourselves on the family atmosphere at the school; classes are small, and relationships between staff, students and parents are excellent. The school is in a period of growth and has further development potential. Chase Grammar School has approximately 320 students, including a well respected International Study Centre, and Lyncroft House Preparatory School (all on the same site).

The School’s three boarding houses are home to about 120 students. We accept children between the ages of 2 and 19 and deliver the English National Curriculum, GCSE, Pre-A Level, A Level and International Foundation Diploma courses. We are very proud of our excellent examination results, and we prepare students for entry to the world’s top universities

Abbotsholme School is a non-selective independent, co-educational, day and international boarding school, situated close to Uttoxeter. Abbotsholme was established in 1889 by the visionary Dr. Cecil Reddie, a leading educationalist in the progressive school’s movement and the main building is a beautiful red-brick Arts & Crafts edifice, with many original features throughout. The Chapel, with its original jewel-like stained glass, is a significant historic asset, featuring many motifs and fascinating imagery which have become intrinsic to the Abbotsholme story. Currently educating 230 children (45 boarders) aged 2-20, the school received an excellent report from the Independent Schools Inspectorate in April 2024: https://www.isi.net/reports. The school benefits from ambitious and supportive ownership through the Achieve Group. Abbotsholme prides itself on a caring, family atmosphere, where staff know each pupil and academic excellence is supported through outstanding, individualised pastoral care. Academic results are exceptional, and pupils go on to enjoy great success at university and beyond. Simon Johnson, a recipient of the 2024 Nobel Prize for Economics, was educated at Abbotsholme before going on to Oxford, Harvard and MIT. 

We seek a highly motivated and talented individual to lead the Marketing and Admissions of Achieve Group UK. The individual will be accountable to the Proprietor for

• Student recruitment (international, national and local),
• Advertising and marketing,
• Branding and publishing,
• Feeder and partner school liaison (including join UKVI arrangements),
• Events,
• Holiday camps and summer school.
• Liaison with prospective parents,
• Liaison with the Head Office in China
• Liaison with international pupil agents. 

Responsible to: The Proprietor of Achieve Education Group

Responsible for: Marketing, Admissions and Communications

Member of: The Achieve Education Group Advisory Board

The Role

Achieve Education UK is seeking to appoint a first-class professional to the role of Director of Marketing and Admissions. His/her primary responsibilities will be to:

• Recruit students to both schools at all levels, meeting set annual targets
• Provide leadership, coordination and management of the Marketing and Admissions teams of both Schools
• Provide leadership, coordination and management of the International Recruiting Team. Be responsible for excellent communication between the Marketing and Admissions team, the International Recruiters, Agents across the world, the staff of both Schools, parents of prospective pupils, the Achieve Advisory Board and the Proprietor
• Draw together all recruiting and admissions performance metrics and future forecasts
• Be accountable for the organisation and delivery of all marketing events at both schools
• Maximise the occupancy of the boarding capacity of both schools, including vacation-time programmes
• Expand and enhance the school’s profile internationally and within the UK
• Produce and improve online and printed marketing material and publications
• Focus on improving the school’s quality and diversity of applicants, including increasing the number of nationalities represented on the school roll
• Liaise with the UKVI to ensure we always have the correct CAS allocation available for tier 4 visas
• Lead and market new pupil recruiting initiatives, courses of study and manage our relationships with other schools through joint CAS arrangements
• Work with the Head Office in China to develop and deliver new or enhanced pupil recruitment initiatives
• Work with the senior leaders of both schools to assure the highest possible quality of student experience, including academic results and the wider co-curriculum, and liaise directly with parents’ representatives
• Represent the schools when required at local, national and international events.
• Be responsible for developing the annual marketing budget and once agreed, manage the budget and the spend profile
• Formulate and drive fundraising campaigns when directed through the agreed development strategies of both schools
• Work collaboratively with the International Recruiting Team to develop excellent relationships with International Recruiting Agents to achieve and surpass minimum recruiting targets
• Be the Line Manager for the Marketing and Admissions staff at both schools

The post holder will attend meetings with the Directors and the Advisory Board as required. The role is full time and permanent; flexible working hours and a desire to travel will be essential based on a 40-hour working week but on occasion extra hours will be required depending on commitments.

This is an exciting opportunity for a gifted, suitably experienced and motivated individual who wishes to grow and lead a department of talented professionals across Abbotsholme School and Chase Grammar. 

The ideal candidate will be:

• In tune with the school’s aims and ethos
• Have a proven track record of successful pupil recruitment into UK independent boarding schools for local, UK and International students
• Support the benefits of an international, all-round, co-educational education Have substantial experience of agent liaison
• Have successful experience of strategic marketing, communications, customer care and people leadership Have a proven track record of delivering on recruitment targets
• Be confident to approach individuals and organisations for support and patronage
• Be a highly credible ambassador for the school
• Be able to work effectively with young and old, bringing about change with vigor, good humor and tact
• Be able to apply sound, well developed principles, taking into consideration audience and market dynamics
• Be able to motivate, guide and train all who contribute to the marketing and admissions function of the schools 

After consultation with the Proprietor and other key staff, the post-holder will take responsibility for developing strategies designed to meet the needs and aims of both Schools so as to deliver in all areas of his/her responsibility. Based on appropriate research, these plans will set out the targets, priorities, timetable and resourcing of the activities. The post-holder will also manage budgets associated with these activities and report regularly on progress to the Executive Director.