Senior Schools and Colleges Outreach Officer

About Birmingham City University

At Birmingham City University, we are a diverse and inclusive learning community of over 31,400 students from more than 120 countries. We aim to become an exemplar anchor institution, creating and sharing knowledge for a better and more inclusive society. We are committed to providing a transformational educational experience, supporting world-class research, and fostering a collaborative and supportive working environment for our staff.

Recognised as one of the UK's Top 250 employers (Financial Times & Statista), we pride ourselves on being a place where colleagues feel valued, supported, and able to grow their careers while contributing to the success of our students and communities.

Our student demographic reflects the rich cultural and ethnic diversity of Birmingham itself, with a significant proportion of students from minoritised ethnic backgrounds and the majority of our home students coming from the West Midlands. This diversity is a strength, and it calls for a workforce that is equipped to challenge deficit narratives and thinking — those assumptions that position students from underrepresented groups as lacking rather than recognising their assets, strengths and potential.

Role Summary

We are seeking a Senior Schools and College Outreach Officer to join our Marketing and Communication team supporting the delivery of high-quality services across the University. In this role, you will take BCU's story into schools and colleges, build strong partnerships, and deliver engaging activities that raise awareness and drive applications. You will act as an account manager for a portfolio of schools and colleges, developing tailored engagement programmes and working closely with academics, School teams and external partners. You'll deliver talks, workshops and on-campus events for school-aged audiences, supporting both recruitment and widening participation objectives.

Key Responsibilities

- Deliver brand and subject-level messaging in schools, colleges and at on-campus events.
- Manage relationships with partner institutions and report insights, trends and competitor activity.
- Plan, deliver and evaluate a year-round programme of student engagement activities.
- Ensure consistent use of BCU's brand narrative across all materials.
- Train and supervise Student Ambassadors and act in loco parentis at events.
- Maintain accurate partner contact data and conduct risk assessments for all activities.
- Support BCU's Access and Participation Plan and work with external widening participation partners.

Essential Requirements

- Educated to degree level.
- Confident presenter and excellent relationship-builder, highly organised.
- Experience working with young people, schools/colleges, or in student recruitment/widening participation.
- Strong presentation and public speaking skills.

Desirable Requirements

- Strong communication skills and some experience working in marketing or student recruitment.
- Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Office.

Why Work for Us

- Work–life balance: Generous leave and hybrid working (role dependent).
- Career development: Opportunities to grow, develop and progress your career.
- Reward and wellbeing: Competitive pay, pension, a health cash plan, wellbeing support and a wide range of staff benefits.
- Inclusive culture: A supportive, diverse environment where everyone belongs.

The appointed candidate will normally be employed through BCU Support Services Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Birmingham City University. Appointees with prior LGPS membership who wish to re-enter the scheme may do so and will be employed directly by the University.