Admissions & Widening Participation Associate

Fairfield School of Business (FSB), an OFS registered private higher education provider founded in 2006 with campuses in London, Birmingham, Leicester, Sheffield and Luton. We provide industry-relevant qualifications in business, digital marketing, criminology, counselling and healthcare management in partnership with three leading UK universities. Role Overview We are currently seeking to appoint a Admissions & Widening Participation Associate for our Croydon campus on a full time, permanent basis. As an Admissions & Widening Participation Associate, you will be a key point of contact for prospective students, guiding them through the admissions journey and supporting FSB’s goals to expand access to higher education. This is a fast-paced, dynamic role requiring strong customer service skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities. Key Responsibilities Applicant Support & Customer Service You will act as a first point of contact for prospective students, providing clear and accurate information at every stage of the admissions journey. This includes but not limited to; · Delivering excellent customer service across online, phone, and in-person channels. · Supporting applicants through interviews and enrolment · Ensuring all enquiries are handled promptly and professionally. · Maintaining a positive and responsive applicant experience. Admissions Processing You will manage applicant documentation, interviews, and records with a high level of accuracy and compliance. The role requires strong attention to detail and frequent collaboration with internal stakeholders. This includes but not limited to; • Handle applicant documentation, including photocopying, scanning, and verification. • Conducting interviews. • Assisting with invigilation of assessments. • Updating and auditing applicant files and CRM records. • Liaising with colleagues on applicant progress. • Scheduling any follow-up interviews. Engagement & Recruitment Activities This role involves active participation in open days, campus tours, widening participation events, and recruitment fairs both on and off site. You’ll also contribute to applicant conversion through proactive outreach. This includes but not limited to; • Representing FSB at internal and external events. • Delivering campus tours and providing clear, engaging information to prospective students and visitors. • Supporting marketing and admissions initiatives. • Assisting in the planning and coordination of recruitment events, ensuring they run smoothly and effectively. • Making follow-up calls to enquiries and leads, providing guidance and encouraging applicants to progress with their applications. • Maintaining accurate records of interactions with prospective students on internal systems. • Ensuring a high level of customer service is delivered at all times to all prospective students and stakeholders. Administrative & Operational Support You’ll contribute to the smooth running of a busy Admissions Office by handling a range of administrative duties and collaborating with internal teams to enhance workflows and overall service quality. This includes but not limited to; · Handling incoming and outgoing telephone calls, responding to enquiries from prospective students, applicants, and stakeholders in a professional and timely manner. · Updating the student management system with accurate notes, application progress, and relevant changes to ensure records are always up to date. · Uploading and organizing applicant documents onto the student management system, ensuring all files are correctly labelled and stored. · Liaising with academic departments and other internal teams to support application decisions and resolve queries. · Maintaining accurate records and ensuring compliance with data protection and confidentiality policies. · Monitoring application progress and following up with applicants for outstanding information or documents. · Ensuring a high level of customer service is delivered at all times to applicants and stakeholders. Please note that this list is not exhaustive, and additional duties may be assigned as required to support the needs of the Admissions team and the wider organization. Skills & Attributes • Ability to excel in a fast-paced, target-driven environment. • Adaptable and responsive to change. • Excellent customer service and communication skills. • Strong organizational and time-management ability. • Can effectively prioritize tasks and manage a varied workload. • High level of accuracy and attention to detail. • Friendly, approachable, and team-oriented. • Confident in taking ownership of applicants and tasks. • Able to multitask and work under pressure. • Proactive and solutions-focused mindset. Requirements Essential • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent. • Excellent customer service skills. • Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines/targets. • Willingness to travel between FSB campuses as required. • Availability to support open days, enrolment periods, and events (including some evenings & weekends). Desirable • Experience using Microsoft Dynamics, SITS, or similar CRM/admissions systems. • Previous experience in higher education, admissions, or student recruitment. • Proven sales or applicant-conversion experience.