Student Recruitment Specialist

About the role

The Student Recruitment Specialist at MBZUAI attracts top-tier students from national and international markets. The role covers strategic recruitment initiatives, university partner relationships, marketing and communications, event planning and execution, and data analysis to support enrollment goals. It is a full-time position based in Abu Dhabi.

Key responsibilities

• Work with Marketing and Communications to design, run and improve the recruitment marketing strategy in key markets, and manage social media promotion (LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, WhatsApp, Telegram) and opinion leaders.
• Contribute to recruitment storytelling, monitor the events calendar and arrange participation in internal and external events.
• Coordinate electronic direct mailings through the CRM and design, run and report on recruitment surveys.
• Build relationships with key contacts at target universities, and plan and run recruitment trips and faculty road shows.
• Use the recruitment CRM to produce data reports, analyse applicant and prospect data, and inform strategy.
• Prepare reports, briefings and presentations using MS Office, and provide administrative support such as travel arrangements, meeting minutes and agenda setting.
• Support financial administration: purchase requests, invoices, reimbursements, budget tracking and budget variance reporting.
• Administer the Undergraduate Research Program (UGRIP).
• Plan and run recruitment trips, webinars and events, including budgets, logistics, security coordination, vendor contracts and post-event evaluation.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, public relations or a related field; Master's preferred.
• At least four years' experience in marketing and communications, preferably in a university or academic institution.
• At least two years' experience recruiting students to a university, preferably graduate-level STEM courses.
• Strong connections with top universities or research institutions in key target markets.
• Experience managing meeting and events logistics and hosting visitors, including senior executives.
• Understanding of Middle Eastern business and cultural practices; dual- or multi-language speakers preferred.

Required skills

• MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access and Outlook, plus data analysis software.
• Databases and CRM management.
• Quantitative and qualitative data analysis, reporting and presentation.
• Excellent written communication and report writing.