About this role
This senior role within the Future Students directorate, Head of Admissions and Applicant Support (Partnerships & Direct Delivery) has overall responsibility for the quality and effectiveness of the applicant journey and formal admissions processes for our partnership provision and the universities direct delivery sites. You will be responsible for all aspects of service design, including statutory, legal and regulatory compliance dimensions relating to Partnership & direct delivery site Admissions at Bath Spa University. You will lead the development, delivery, and continuous improvement of admissions services for our partnership and direct delivery provision. Working closely with the Director and senior colleagues, you will shape admissions strategy, policies, and procedures to ensure an inclusive, compliant, and high-quality applicant experience that supports institutional growth and student success. You will provide inspirational leadership to specialist admissions teams, oversee complex admissions operations across multiple intakes, and act as the senior decision-maker for partnership admissions. The role requires extensive knowledge of the higher education admissions landscape, including regulatory requirements such as OfS, UKVI, HESA, and the Fair Admissions Code, alongside a strong focus on service excellence, data integrity, qualifications mapping, and process improvement. You will build and maintain effective relationships with franchise partners, direct delivery sites, and internal stakeholders, using data, sector insight, and evidence-based practice to inform strategic decision-making and enhance applicant conversion. As the University's lead for partnership admissions, you will represent the institution across key committees and external networks, deliver training and guidance to colleagues and partners, and drive innovation to ensure admissions services remain responsive, efficient, and aligned with evolving sector expectations and University priorities.