Student Recruitment Manager

Job description

STADIO (Pty) Ltd is inviting applications for the position of: Student Recruitment Manager: Distance Learning
Start date 01 November 2026

Purpose of the role:

The Student Recruitment Manager - Distance Learning is responsible for developing and executing strategies that drive student enrolments across STADIO's distance learning programmes nationally.
The incumbent will lead and manage the recruitment team, oversee lead generation and conversion activities, ensure exceptional prospective student engagement, and support the achievement of institutional enrolment targets through innovative and data-driven recruitment initiatives.
The role focuses on expanding STADIO's national reach by promoting distance learning opportunities through digital platforms, virtual engagement initiatives, partnerships, and strategic recruitment campaigns.

Key roles and responsibilities

Strategic student recruitment:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive distance learning student recruitment strategy aligned to institutional enrolment objectives.
• Translate national student recruitment objectives into measurable recruitment plans and campaigns.
• Drive achievement of annual, semester and monthly enrolment targets.
• Monitor market trends and competitor activity within the distance learning and private higher education sectors.
• Identify new recruitment opportunities and target markets to increase student acquisition nationally.
• Evaluate recruitment performance and implement continuous improvement initiatives.

Lead generation and conversion management:

• Oversee and optimise the entire student recruitment funnel from enquiry to registration.
• Ensure effective management and nurturing of prospective student leads.
• Monitor lead conversion performance and implement interventions to improve conversion rates.
• Ensure prompt and professional engagement with prospective students across all communication channels.
• Develop strategies to improve enquiry-to-registration outcomes.

Digital recruitment and virtual engagement:

• Drive student recruitment through digital marketing campaigns, CRM initiatives and online engagement platforms.
• Collaborate with marketing to ensure alignment between recruitment objectives and digital campaigns.
• Coordinate and participate in:
• Virtual open days
• Webinars
• Online information sessions
• Career guidance events
• Digital recruitment campaigns
• Ensure that all virtual student engagement activities effectively position STADIO's distance learning offering.

Team leadership and performance management

• Lead, coach and develop the student recruitment advisor team.
• Establish clear performance objectives and key performance indicators.
• Conduct regular performance reviews and provide ongoing coaching.
• Ensure team members are equipped to provide accurate information regarding programmes, admissions and student funding opportunities.
• Foster a high-performance and student-centric culture.

Stakeholder and partnership management

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with:
• Schools
• Corporate organisations
• Industry partners
• Government departments
• Community organisations
• Identify partnership opportunities that contribute to student recruitment growth.
• Represent STADIO at recruitment-related events and engagements.

Reporting, analytics and administration

• Establish and maintain accurate recruitment reporting mechanisms.
• Analyse recruitment data and conversion trends.
• Produce regular reports and recommendations for management.
• Ensure accuracy and integrity of recruitment statistics and CRM records.
• Maintain historical recruitment data for strategic planning purposes.
• Monitor team performance against agreed targets.

Budget management:

• Manage recruitment activities within approved budgets.
• Monitor expenditure and return on investment for recruitment initiatives.
• Recommend adjustments to optimise recruitment outcomes and resource allocation.

Minimum requirement

• A relevant bachelor's degree.
• A minimum of 5 years' experience in student recruitment within private higher education.
• At least 3 years' management experience leading a recruitment or sales team.
• Demonstrated experience in distance learning recruitment and student conversion strategies.
• Experience using CRM systems, lead management platforms and recruitment analytics.
• Proven track record of achieving recruitment and enrolment targets.

Knowledge requirements:

• South African private higher education landscape.
• Distance learning and online education environment.
• Student recruitment and sales methodologies.
• Digital marketing principles and lead generation strategies.
• Admission processes and student lifecycle management.
• Higher education regulatory framework.
• CRM and reporting systems.

Skills and competencies:

• Strategic thinking
• Results orientation
• Leadership and people management
• Strong sales and recruitment acumen
• Effective communication
• Relationship building and networking
• Data analysis and reporting
• Project planning and execution
• Decision making
• Problem solving
• Customer service excellence
• Adaptability and innovation
• Digital literacy and CRM proficiency

Key performance indicators (KPIs)

• Achievement of student enrolment targets.
• Lead-to-application conversion rate.
• Application-to-registration conversion rate.
• Team sales performance against target.
• Prospect engagement response times.
• Recruitment campaign effectiveness.
• Accuracy of recruitment reporting.
• Stakeholder engagement outcomes.
• Growth in distance learning enrolments.

Posted on 05 Oct 12:13, Closing date 12 Oct