The role holder will manage a School Liaison team and be the lead person in designing and implementing promotional activity to second-level students and developing a strong working relationship with School Guidance Counsellors and teachers.
This is a hands-on role and in addition to managing the team members will also involve visiting schools and presenting to students in class and at education fairs.
The role holder will lead all activity to drive growth in CAO applications.
Reporting to:
Director of Marketing and International Development
Key Relationships:
- Director of Marketing and International Development (Reports to)
- School Liaison Team (Manage)
- NCI Admissions
- NCI Marketing Team
- NCI academic leadership and faculty
Key Responsibilities:
- Manage the School Liaison team which currently includes two members.
- Prepare and regularly update a strategic plan for school recruitment activity to maximise undergraduate applications.
- Follow a highly analytical approach to targeting schools and Further Education colleges to maximise recruitment numbers.
- Visit schools and Further Education institutes for class presentations, education fairs, parents’ evenings etc. The role will include a lot of travel within Dublin especially during the school term and will include some evening work to attend school careers fairs and similar events.
- Oversee and deliver a programme of marketing activity for the CAO market such as Open Days, Guidance Counsellor events, Revision sessions, Campus tours and more.
- Liaise with the Marketing team and NCI faculty to present NCI programmes to potential undergraduate students.
- Coordinate the NCI relationship with Further Education Colleges to maximise linkages and to recruit students from these colleges onto NCI degree programmes.
- Report on School Liaison activities to the Marketing Director and deliver market insights to suggest new programmes or innovations.
- Form an understanding of the NCI student persona and develop strategies to reach target students and grow market share
- Liaise with the Admissions Team to gather data to make strategic decisions which drive growth.
- Work to develop opportunities for NCI through Tertiary Degree programmes such as the NCI BA in Digital and Business Skills.
- Assist with part-time student recruitment as required especially during the summer months.
Key Attributes:
- A relevant third-level qualification.
- Significant experience in student recruitment particularly for the undergraduate/CAO market.
- Sales and sales management experience within the education area.
- Target driven self-starter.
- Strong organisational and communication skills.
- An ability to work to tight deadlines is essential.
- A full driving licence to drive in Ireland and willingness to travel for school visits on a regular basis.
Some weekend and evening weekday work is required to attend school information evening, education fairs etc. This is particularly in the September to March period.
Salary:
€53,836 - €75,508 (Manager Band)
Contract:
Permanent
Hours:
Full Time
Annual Leave:
27 days
National College of Ireland’s mission is to widen participation in higher education and unlock each student's potential. The College offers students the opportunity to acquire the skills and self-confidence to change their lives, contribute to a knowledge based economy and become responsible, active citizens.
Application Process:
Current NCI Employee applicants only
To apply please e-mail your cover letter and CV both in PDF format ONLY, quoting reference number: NCI1038 to: recruitment@ncirl.ie by 5:00 pm, 20th October 2025.
Note: The functions and responsibilities assigned to the Head of Undergraduate - CAO Recruitment are based on the current stated role and objectives of the College. These functions and responsibilities may alter in line with any change in the role and objectives of NCI
The successful applicant will be subject to Garda Vetting and must not have any convictions under the Sex Offenders Act 2001.
National College of Ireland is an equal opportunities employer.
The Importance of Confidentiality
We would like to assure you that protecting confidentiality is our number one priority. You can expect that all enquires, applications and all aspects of the proceedings are treated as strictly confidential and are not disclosed to anyone, outside those directly involved in that aspect of the process.
Candidates' Obligations
In submitting a completed Curriculum Vitae and supporting documentation, candidates are declaring:
- That all the particulars furnished in their application are true and correct without omission and that they are aware of the qualifications and particulars for this position.
- That to the best of their knowledge that there is nothing in relation to their conduct, character or personal background of any nature that would adversely affect the position of trust in which they would be placed by virtue of this appointment.
- Their irrevocable consent to NCI making such enquiries as deemed necessary in respect of their suitability for the post in respect of which their application is made.
- Their acceptance and confirmation of the entitlement of NCI, as appropriate to, reject their application, or to terminate their employment (in the event of a contract of employment having been entered into on foot of this competition) if they have omitted to furnish NCI with any information relevant to their application or their continued employment or where they have made any false statement or misrepresentation relevant to this application or their continuing employment with the College. #LI-DNI
Candidates should note that they may be required to submit documentary evidence in support of any particulars given by them in their application for the post.
Data Protection Acts 1988 to 2018 and the Freedom of Information Acts 1997 to 2014 as amended
Data collected for the purposes of recruitment activities
NCI conducts recruitment processes to fill vacancies within the college. When applying for these competitions applicants are asked to submit a range of documents, e.g., a completed application form, CV and/or a personal statement or cover letter. For the purposes of recruitment activities, we will not collect any personal data that we do not need to assess your candidature for a role with us.
Legal Basis for Processing
NCI ’s legal basis for the processing of this data is a combination of individual consent, contractual necessity and legal obligations.
Withdrawal of Consent
Applicants can withdraw their consent for the processing of their personal data at any time by notifying the College. It is important to note that withdrawal of consent prior to the completion of the process will be considered as a withdrawal of the application.
What we do with your data
People who are directly employed by NCI and are based in Ireland process all the personal data collected for both recruitment and HR purposes.
Shortlisting
HR draft up the shortlisting documents and provide the initial screening to determine if a person meets the essential criteria of the competition. A shortlisting panel is generally made up of two senior grade staff members from the relevant department for which the role is being recruited.
Sharing of your data
Where you have been successfully shortlisted for a post, each interview panel member will be furnished with a copy of the relevant information of those who will be attending interview in order that they can review applications in advance of the interview process. All such information will be returned to NCI and shredded following the competition process. Some of the interview panel will be external interviewers, who are not employees of NCI but are engaged for the purpose and are strictly subject to the rules and policies of the College.
Access
Applicants can request and receive access to their data at any time and can request and receive a copy of this data, in electronic/transferable format.
Erasure
Applicants can request the data held be erased. In this case, the application for a position is considered withdrawn.
Rectification
Applicants can have any incorrect information corrected.
Objection / Withdraw
Applications can object to this information being processed and/or can request to withdraw from the application process
Complain
Applicants can make a complaint to our internal Information Governance and Data Protection Officer
NCI Information Governance and Data Protection Officer
National College of Ireland, Mayor Street, IFSC, Dublin 1
Tel (Direct): + 353 1 4498 523 ; Tel (Reception): + 353 1 4498 500
And/or make a complaint to the relevant authority
Data Protection Commission, 21 Fitzwilliam Square South, Dublin 2, D02 RD28
Tel: +353 (0) 761 104 800
National College of Ireland is an equal opportunities employer and is a Member of the Athena SWAN Charter. NCI is committed to serving our diverse community and welcomes applications from underrepresented groups.