Aston University is a leading applied university with a strong international outlook, recognised for its focus on employability, business engagement, and global partnerships. International student recruitment and transnational engagement are central to Aston’s growth strategy, operating across multiple intakes, markets, and regulatory environments.
This role sits at the heart of Aston’s international recruitment operation, providing the operational backbone that enables sustainable global growth while protecting the University’s regulatory position, financial controls, and reputation.
The Head of Global Operations provides senior operational leadership for Aston University’s international recruitment and engagement activity. The role is responsible for designing, operating, and continuously improving the systems, processes, and controls that underpin large-scale global recruitment within a complex, regulated environment.
Working closely with senior colleagues across International Recruitment, Admissions, Marketing, Finance, Compliance, and Legal, the postholder will lead high-impact operational functions including international scholarships, agent commissions, sponsor management, CRM operations, and due diligence for a global network of partners.
The role carries significant delegated authority to identify risk, redesign processes, set service expectations, and escalate issues where cross-functional dependencies materially affect recruitment performance, partner confidence, or compliance outcomes.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading complex, high-value operational processes such as multi-million-pound agency commissions, international scholarships, and global partner onboarding
- Designing and delivering a multi-year international recruitment process improvement plan
- Establishing service standards and SLAs across recruitment-critical processes
- Providing operational leadership for CRM adoption, data quality, and workflow integrity
- Ensuring compliance with UKVI, GDPR, CMA, the Agent Quality Framework, and other regulatory requirements
- Line managing the Global Operations team and overseeing overseas representatives and associated budgets
What we offer:
- Aston University is a dynamic and
vibrant campus located within Birmingham city centre, which has excellent
transport links via bus or train.
- The role is offered as 'dynamic working', which means working both on campus (expected on campus 3 days per week) and from home dependent on the activity. Further information on dynamic working can be found here.
- Excellent training and development
opportunities.
- A generous annual leave scheme with 30 days
bookable leave and a further 13 days bank holiday and University Closure days.
- Everyday discounts to a number of
activities and retailers
- Great family friendly policies
- On site gym and pool with
discounted staff membership available
- Further information on our Benefits and Rewards can be found here
This role may meet the requirements for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship.
If you require sponsorship, Aston University will assess eligibility if you are shortlisted for the role.
Please note we are unable to confirm individual eligibility before shortlisting.
See here for more information on Skilled Worker visa eligibility: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa
The University celebrates the rights of freedom of speech and academic freedom and is committed to maintaining and protecting these rights within the law. An offer to work at Aston University will never be denied on the basis of an individual’s lawful expression of their beliefs, ideas or opinions.
Aston University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. It promotes equality and diversity in all aspects of its work. We strive to have robust inclusivity strategies in place, to encourage colleagues to have the confidence and freedom to be themselves in the workplace. For more information, visit: https://www2.aston.ac.uk/about/inclusive-aston
Guidance on AI-Assisted Applications
While we cannot prevent applicants from using AI tools to support their application, we ask that all submissions reflect your own experience, achievements, and motivations. We want to understand what you personally bring to the role, so please ensure your application represents your own voice and capabilities.
We recognise the value of flexible working. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss what flexible working options are available for particular roles.
If you require the job details document or an application form in an alternative format please contact the recruitment team at recruitment@aston.ac.uk