Head of Acquisition

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Head of Acquisition

🔹 Company: IDP Education Pty Ltd

🔹 Location: United Kingdom

🔹 Job Type: On-site

🔹 Category: Education

🔹 Date Posted: July 17, 2025

🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Leading traffic acquisition across student-facing platforms
• Overseeing strategies across Paid Media, SEO, and Partnerships
• Driving high-quality, volume-driven traffic to meet commercial order fulfillment
• Collaborating cross-functionally to ensure a data-led, performance-oriented approach

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic and results-driven individual with a proven track record in digital acquisition leadership, preferably within the education or consumer digital environment.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Oversee the strategic direction and performance of paid media campaigns (PPC, display, paid social, etc.)

✅ Manage the relationship with the external media buying agency, ensuring delivery of acquisition KPIs and ROI

✅ Lead campaign planning aligned with commercial goals and seasonal student recruitment cycles

✅ Own performance reporting and budget management across paid media

✅ Lead the SEO strategy to grow organic traffic and enhance visibility across all platforms

✅ Manage and develop an in-house SEO team, driving best practices and innovation

✅ Collaborate closely with content, product, and technical teams to ensure SEO is embedded in all digital initiatives

✅ Monitor performance metrics, identify opportunities for growth, and implement scalable SEO improvements

✅ Work closely with the Director of Marketing to develop and deliver the acquisition partnership strategy

✅ Identify and manage strategic partnerships with educational institutions, student communities, influencers, and other relevant third parties

✅ Manage a 0.5 FTE resource supporting the execution and administration of partnership activity

✅ Evaluate the impact of partnership initiatives against acquisition and commercial metrics

✅ Lead and inspire a high-performing SEO team

✅ Manage agency and part-time internal resources to deliver against Paid Media and Partnership objectives

✅ Create a collaborative, data-driven, and outcome-focused team culture

ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong leadership, analytical, and stakeholder management skills to drive user growth and commercial success through digital acquisition channels.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field (or equivalent experience)

Experience: Proven experience in a digital acquisition leadership role, ideally within an education, publishing, or consumer digital environment

Required Skills:

• Deep understanding of paid media and SEO strategies, tools, and platforms
• Experience managing agency relationships and internal teams
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate data into actionable strategies
• Track record of driving user growth and commercial success through digital acquisition channels
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
• And understanding of youth marketing and/or higher education and student recruitment

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the education sector or B2C marketing to student audiences
• Understanding of partnership marketing and influencer outreach
• Familiarity with platforms such as Google Analytics, Google Ads, Meta Business Suite, Social Media channels (Facebook, TikTok, Instagram and Twitter) SEO monitoring tools

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in the education sector or B2C marketing to student audiences may have an advantage in this role.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: £60,000 - £80,000 per annum (Based on industry standards for a Head of Acquisition role in the UK education sector)

Benefits:

• Competitive benefits package
• Opportunities for professional development and growth
• Global career opportunities within IDP

Working Hours: Full-time, Monday to Friday, with flexibility for occasional remote work

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a Head of Acquisition role in the UK education sector. The actual salary may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: IDP operates in the education administration programs industry, focusing on international education services

Company Size: IDP is a large organization with 5,001-10,000 employees globally, offering a diverse and dynamic work environment

Founded: IDP was founded in 1969 and has since grown into a global leader in international education services

Company Description:

• IDP is the global leader in international education services
• Operates in more than 50 countries around the world
• Offers trusted human relationships, digital technology, and customer research to deliver global success to students, test takers, and partners

Company Specialties:

• Student placement
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
• English language teaching
• Digital marketing

Company Website: careers.idp.com

ASSUMPTION: IDP's global presence and large employee base offer applicants diverse career opportunities and a multicultural work environment.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is a senior-level position, reporting directly to the Director of Marketing (Domestic B2C)

Reporting Structure: The Head of Acquisition will have line management responsibility for the SEO team and agency/part-time internal resources supporting Paid Media and Partnership objectives

Work Arrangement: This role is primarily on-site, with flexibility for occasional remote work

Growth Opportunities:

• Progression to a more senior marketing role within IDP or the broader education sector
• Expanding leadership skills by managing and developing a team
• Gaining experience in a global organization with diverse brands and markets

ASSUMPTION: This role offers strong growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to develop leadership skills and gain experience in a global organization.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: IDP's headquarters is located in Docklands, Victoria, Australia, with offices in over 50 countries worldwide

Office Location(s): United Kingdom (specific location not specified)

Geographic Context:

• The United Kingdom has a vibrant higher education sector, with a strong focus on international student recruitment
• The UK is home to many prestigious universities and colleges, providing ample opportunities for partnerships and collaborations
• The UK job market offers a diverse range of industries and sectors, allowing for potential career growth and mobility

Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday to Friday, with flexibility for occasional remote work

ASSUMPTION: The United Kingdom's strong higher education sector and diverse job market provide an ideal environment for this role and offer opportunities for career growth and development.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application submission
• Phone or video screening with the hiring manager
• In-depth interview with the hiring manager and other stakeholders
• Final interview with the Director of Marketing (Domestic B2C)

Key Assessment Areas:

• Digital acquisition strategy and planning
• Paid media and SEO expertise
• Team leadership and management skills
• Stakeholder management and communication
• Alignment with IDP's company values and culture

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your digital acquisition experience and relevant skills
• Provide specific examples of your achievements in paid media, SEO, and partnership marketing
• Demonstrate your understanding of the higher education sector and student recruitment
• Showcase your leadership skills and ability to manage and develop teams

ATS Keywords: Digital Acquisition, Paid Media, SEO, Partnerships, Team Management, Analytical Skills, Stakeholder Management, Communication Skills, Youth Marketing, Higher Education, Student Recruitment, Agency Management, Content Collaboration, Performance Reporting, Budget Management, Strategic Partnerships, Influencer Outreach

ASSUMPTION: IDP's recruitment process is designed to assess candidates' skills and cultural fit, with a focus on digital acquisition expertise and leadership potential.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Google Analytics
• Google Ads
• Meta Business Suite
• Social Media channels (Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter)
• SEO monitoring tools (e.g., SEMrush, Ahrefs, Moz)

ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with these tools and platforms is desirable, but not essential, as training and support will be provided.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Customer-first
• Global
• Trusted
• Innovative

Work Style:

• Collaborative
• Data-driven
• Outcome-focused

Self-Assessment Questions:

• Do you have a proven track record of driving user growth and commercial success through digital acquisition channels?
• Are you comfortable managing agency relationships and internal teams to deliver against acquisition KPIs?
• Can you thrive in a collaborative, data-driven, and outcome-focused team culture?

ASSUMPTION: IDP values candidates who align with their customer-first, global, trusted, and innovative culture and can thrive in a collaborative, data-driven, and outcome-focused team environment.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• Managing multiple stakeholders and balancing competing priorities
• Adapting to a global organization with diverse brands and markets
• Keeping up with the latest trends and best practices in digital acquisition
• Ensuring high-quality, volume-driven traffic meets commercial order fulfillment

ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome by strong leadership, effective communication, and a strategic approach to digital acquisition.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• This role differs from other digital acquisition leadership positions in its focus on the higher education sector and student recruitment
• IDP's global presence and large employee base offer unique opportunities for career growth and development
• Career progression may involve expanding leadership skills, gaining experience in a global organization, or moving into more senior marketing roles

ASSUMPTION: This role offers unique opportunities for career growth and development within the higher education sector and a global organization.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing and executing a strategic plan to increase organic traffic by 20% within the first six months
• Negotiating and managing a strategic partnership with a major university to drive student recruitment and enrollment
• Optimizing paid media campaigns to improve ROI by 15% within the first quarter

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the key responsibilities and required skills for this role.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the team structure and how this role fits within the organization?
• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
• How does IDP support the professional development and growth of its employees?
• What are the most significant challenges facing the higher education sector, and how does IDP address them?
• What is the work-life balance like for this role, and how does IDP support employee well-being?

ASSUMPTION: These questions will help applicants better understand the role, the team, and the company culture.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your digital acquisition experience and relevant skills
• Prepare for interview questions related to digital acquisition strategy, team leadership, and stakeholder management
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and express your interest in the role

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.