Associate Dean – Student Success, Placement & Alumni

Job Description & Person Specification

Report: CEO/DCEO

Grade: Senior Management

About Scholars School System

Scholars School System (SSS), part of the UK Curriculum and Accreditation Body (UKCAB), is a national independent higher education provider delivering high-quality programmes across multiple campuses in partnership with awarding institutions. We are committed to transforming lives through accessible education, fostering student success, inclusion, employability, and social mobility.

Purpose of the Role

The Associate Dean – Student Success, Placements & Alumni is a senior leadership role responsible for driving institutional strategies that enhance student success, employability, graduate outcomes, and alumni engagement across all SSS campuses.

The postholder will lead the development of innovative student success initiatives, strengthen employer partnerships, expand placement opportunities, and build an engaged alumni community that supports students' academic, personal and professional development. Working collaboratively across academic and professional services teams, the role will contribute significantly to improving student continuation, completion and progression outcomes in line with institutional priorities and Office for Students (OfS) expectations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and implement the institutional strategy for student success, employability, placements and alumni engagement.
• Drive initiatives that enhance student retention, continuation, progression and graduate outcomes.
• Contribute to institutional planning and strategic decision-making as a member of the Senior Leadership Team.
• Monitor performance through data analysis and student outcomes to inform continuous improvement.
• Develop and oversee programmes that enhance students' employability skills, career readiness and professional development.
• Collaborate with academic teams to embed employability and career development throughout the student journey.
• Lead interventions that support student engagement, success and achievement.
• Provide strategic leadership for placement provision across all campuses.
• Develop and maintain strong partnerships with employers, industry bodies and community organisations to expand placement and internship opportunities.
• Ensure placement activities comply with institutional policies and external regulatory requirements.
• Develop and implement an alumni engagement strategy that promotes lifelong relationships with graduates.
• Create opportunities for alumni mentoring, networking and contributions to student development and employability initiatives.
• Utilise alumni insights to strengthen institutional reputation and graduate outcomes.
• Lead and develop high-performing teams across multiple campuses.
• Ensure consistency and excellence in service delivery across all areas of responsibility.
• Oversee departmental policies and ensure compliance with relevant regulatory and quality assurance frameworks, including Office for Students requirements.
• Promote a culture of innovation, collaboration, equality, diversity and inclusion.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria:

• Master's degree in Higher Education, Business, Education, Human Resources or a related discipline.
• Significant senior leadership experience within higher education, particularly in student success, employability, placements or alumni engagement.
• Demonstrable experience of developing employer partnerships and placement opportunities.
• Proven track record of leading initiatives that improve student outcomes and graduate success.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams within a multi-site environment.
• Strong understanding of the UK higher education sector and Office for Students requirements.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills.
• Commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and student-centred practice.

Desirable Criteria:

• Doctorate (PhD/EdD/Professional Doctorate) in a relevant discipline.
• Professional leadership qualification (CMI, ILM or equivalent).
• Experience using student outcome data and analytics to drive service improvement.
• Established networks with employers and professional bodies.

What we offer:

• The salary for this role ranges from £70,000 to £75,000 depending on the candidate’s level of experience.
• Holiday entitlement is 28 days annual leave, excluding bank holidays.
• Up to £5k annual incentives pro-rata given quarterly on meeting KPIs after successful probationary period.
• Workplace pension scheme.
• Reward and recognition programme.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• 3% annual increase per year on completion from your start date of service and on meeting KPIs.
• Complimentary lunch provided on working days.
• A supportive academic environment committed to quality and continuous improvement
• Opportunities for professional development aligned with academic support practice

SSS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students and expects all staff to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS check.

SSS is an equal opportunities employer committed to creating an inclusive environment where diversity is celebrated and all members of the community are empowered to thrive.