Chief Student Experience Officer
The Future of Student Experience Starts Here
At BNU, we don’t do “ordinary.” We don’t do “business as usual.”
We’re here to change lives – not just award degrees – and we want you to help us rewrite what a truly exceptional student experience looks like.
We are seeking a game-changing leader to take our student experience to the next level – to create a seamless, inclusive, and extraordinary journey for every student, from their very first enquiry to long after they graduate.
This is not a traditional university role. This is about reimagining the student journey with the same creativity and responsiveness that world-class customer service organisations are known for – combining innovation, empathy, and operational excellence to make BNU a place where every student from every community and every personal journey feels supported, valued, and inspired.
If you have the courage to challenge the status quo and the passion to lead meaningful transformation, this is your moment.
The Mission
As our first Chief Student Experience Officer, you will be the senior champion of the student journey – the driving force behind a truly joined-up, responsive, and equitable experience.
You will:
1. Deliver a ‘one-stop shop’ experience, connecting every part of the student lifecycle – from admissions and welcome week to wellbeing, careers, and alumni engagement
2. Build powerful partnerships with employers and alumni, opening up pathways to graduate success and lifelong opportunities
3. Listen first – using the student voice to shape services and decisions across the University
4. Lead a values-driven team that places inclusion, wellbeing, and equity at its core
5. Oversee student conduct, safeguarding, and risk management with integrity and care
6. Collaborate with academic leaders to align student support with academic excellence and external accreditation standards
7. Drive transformational change that improves satisfaction, employability, wellbeing, and graduate outcomes
8. Take charge of budgets, resources, and staff across a diverse and dynamic portfolio
What Success Looks Like
Your impact will be felt through:
9. Higher student satisfaction scores
10. Improved employability and graduate outcomes
11. Reduced awarding gaps and greater equity across our student population
12. A tangible boost in student wellbeing and belonging
13. Fewer complaints and faster resolution of student issues
About You
This is a role for a visionary, bold leader – someone ready to think differently and build services that truly make a difference.
You will bring:
14. A proven track record of transforming customer or student experience in complex, people-focused organisation
15. Significant senior leadership experience, ideally in Higher Education or an adjacent sector, with expertise in at least one key touchpoint of the student journey
16. A passion for innovation and technology, including the intelligent use of AI to improve services
17. Deep and authentic commitment to equity, intersectional inclusion, wellbeing, and employability
18. The ability to listen, empathise, and inspire, turning bold visions into real-world change
19. Above all, you will see the student journey as a whole – and have the drive and creativity to make it seamless, supportive, and exceptional
Why BNU?
At BNU, we do things differently. We are forward-thinking and fearless, unafraid to challenge norms and explore new ideas.
As part of our Senior Leadership Team, you will:
20. Reporting directly to the Vice-Chancellor, shaping strategy at the very highest level
21. Lead a portfolio where your work has immediate, visible impact on thousands of students
22. Help build a university culture that is inclusive, dynamic, and truly student-first
23. Play a central role in delivering our mission to transform lives through education
This is your opportunity to take everything you know about service excellence, leadership, and innovation, and apply it to something profoundly meaningful.
Location High Wycombe Contract Type Permanent Salary Range Spot salary Hours per week 37 Closing Date 31/10/ Ref No
Job Description
Chief Student Experience Officer
At BNU our students are at the heart of everything we do. You will be the senior champion of the student journey — from the moment a student applies to join us until long after they graduate.
Success measures:
Student Satisfaction
Reduction in volume of student complaints and issues
Improved employability
Improved graduate outcomes
Reduction in awarding gaps
Improved student wellbeing
You will
24. Deliver a ‘one stop shop’ student experience from start to finish — admissions, welcome week, student life, wellbeing, career preparation, and alumni
25. Build strong partnerships with employers and alumni to connect students with career pathways and lifelong opportunities
26. Listen to students first and ensure their perspectives help shape their BNU journey
27. Lead a team that delivers an inclusive and equitable student experience
28. Oversee student conduct, safeguarding, and risk management
29. Collaborate with academic leadership to align student support with academic excellence and accreditation requirements
30. Lead meaningful change to enhance student satisfaction and employability outcomes
31. Manage budgets, resources, and staff across the Student Team
About You
32. Student first leader with a proven track record of transforming the student/customer experience
33. Significant senior leadership in higher education with expert experience in at least one of the student journey touchpoints
34. Passionate about a seamless student experience, using AI and focusing on equity, inclusion, wellbeing, and employability – you’ll deliver a responsive and excellent service
35. You will challenge, innovate, empathise, and have the ability to turn visions into real-world impact
Join Us – and Shape the Future
If you’re ready to lead bold change and create a student experience that rivals the very best in the world, we want to hear from you.
For an in-depth confidential conversation, please contact our executive search partner, Owen Francis at Alumni Global,
For further information please click "Apply Now" below.