Anna Levine
MANCHESTER
Summary
Dynamic higher education professional with over 11 years of experience in managing student access and success initiatives, alongside alumni engagement and employability-focused programmes. I thrive in high-pressure environments, adeptly prioritising tasks and making strategic decisions to meet diverse needs. My proven track record includes leading international volunteer and graduate programmes, delivering impactful events, and creatively championing the success of underrepresented student groups. With strong project management skills, I effectively oversee team dynamics and coordinate large-scale initiatives, develop innovative communication strategies, and cultivate key external partnerships. I am dedicated to aligning my work with institutional goals, particularly in promoting social responsibility, bridging attainment gaps, and enhancing student employability. Recognised for my exceptional service, I received the Best Newcomer Award for successfully leading a last-minute global graduate event.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Access and Success officer
The University of Manchester
Manchester
01.2022 - Current
- Lead and manage a portfolio of student access and success initiatives, including Widening Participation, Welcome Induction, and Transition programmes. I developed and implemented two new student success pilots aligned with the University’s Access and Participation Plan (APP), focused on reducing the attainment gap for Black and White students, as well as South Asian (Bangladeshi and Pakistani) and White students. These pilots currently support over 50 students annually, with plans for expansion.
- Develop and implement targeted strategies to support underrepresented groups, specifically Black heritage and South Asian (Bangladeshi and Pakistani) students. These programmes strengthen students’ sense of belonging, foster self-efficacy, address the attainment gap, and aim to reduce graduate unemployment rates.
- Collaborate with Professional Services teams to embed continuous improvement and high-quality service delivery across the University. I manage a team of four, from interns to senior colleagues, overseeing onboarding, professional development, and task structuring to ensure effective contributions and team growth.
- Provide guidance and training to staff and students involved in Widening Participation activities, ensuring strict compliance with safeguarding and health and safety standards.
- Build and maintain strong partnerships with external stakeholders, including schools, employers, and educational charities, to enhance outreach and engagement.
- Evaluate and monitor programme effectiveness through data tracking, progress assessments, and outcome reporting, ensuring alignment with university goals. This includes creating Theory of Change models, developing robust evaluation plans, collaborating with the Monitoring and Evaluation team, and reporting through HEAT to measure project impact.
- Manage a £25,000 budget, ensuring financial compliance across all initiatives with accurate record-keeping and regular reporting to senior management.
- Support major university events such as Open Days, Summer Schools, and Clearing, directly contributing to student recruitment strategies.
- Collaborate with external providers to deliver staff training and coaching, develop online resources, and establish a dedicated Teams area. This work includes comprehensive monitoring and evaluation through Theory of Change models and structured evaluation plans.
- Lead strategic planning for programme delivery, including implementing a communication plan, leveraging data collection from Spotler, and conducting monthly trend analysis. I established a Teams space to pool resources and enhance communication.
- Co-lead the Community of Practice for the Access and Success Team, establishing a Terms of Reference, a Teams area, and organizing three annual events (two hybrid, one in-person) to foster a cohesive approach to Access and Success initiatives. This work promotes collaboration and strengthens reporting structures for activities contributing to the Access and Participation Plan.
- Handle sensitive information and disclosures with professionalism and discretion, supporting safeguarding protocols.
- Assist in special events and large-scale operations, including Clearing, to ensure smooth execution and coordination.
- Deliver operational plans and timelines for service and project delivery, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and continuous service enhancement.
Global Volunteer and Networks Officer
The University of Manchester
Manchester
11.2021 - 01.2022
- Awarded Best Newcomer to Team for organising last-minute London event for Global Graduate programme. Managed team of 15, coordinated with multiple external providers, and onboarded over 50 students while overseeing £30K budget. Arranged travel, accommodations, and hospitality, secured external venue, and collaborated with event coordinator to ensure AV, broadcasting, and seamless event delivery. Post-event gathered feedback and extended gratitude to delegates, stakeholders, and students.
- Led international volunteer programmes that engaged alumni in supporting student recruitment, employability, and community outreach initiatives. For Manchester Day of Action, sourced project proposals aligned with University’s Sustainable Development Goals, advancing strategic institutional priorities.
- Organised Global Graduates Programme, including London networking event at Royal College of Chemistry. This event brought together senior alumni and students from widening participation backgrounds, fostering valuable networking and mentorship opportunities.
- Oversaw event and programme budgets to ensure compliance, effective resource use, and maximised impact.
- Led cross-departmental teams to ensure successful event and initiative execution, including coordinating 60+ volunteer colleagues for on-campus graduation ceremonies. Partnered with internal and external providers to deliver memorable experience as students transitioned into alumni community.
- Embedded University’s strategic goals into key projects. For British Council Study UK International Alumni Awards, created scripts for Senior Leadership to highlight alumni contributions to University objectives.
Coordinated global partnerships across multiple time zones, managing relationships with cultural sensitivity and professionalism. - Developed and executed targeted communication strategies for alumni engagement across web, email, and social media, aligning all content with University branding standards.
- Collaborated closely with data officers to maintain accurate alumni records, enabling effective volunteer tracking and targeted outreach.
Served as main point of contact for alumni volunteers, offering support and guidance to ensure continued engagement.
Supported senior colleagues on international projects, represented team at major events, and delivered in-depth feedback and reports to inform future initiatives. - Worked with Marketing and Communications Team to produce content supporting team’s programmes and broader alumni engagement efforts throughout year, extending our impact globally.
- Advocated for international students by raising concerns and recommendations with relevant departments.
Employability Executive
The University of Manchester
Manchester
11.2019 - 11.2021
- Oversaw Work Experience Bursary Scheme, managing £40K annual budget and designing comprehensive communication and marketing strategies. Authored annual report to capture outcomes and impact insights, strengthening programme accountability and awareness.
- Managed events, updated University website, and produced engaging social media content across Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter to drive awareness and engagement with university initiatives.
- Handled student correspondence and support, building strong partnerships with external stakeholders and alumni to enhance employability outcomes.
- Managed nine key stakeholder accounts for large multinational employers, promoting employer opportunities to student groups, recruiting employers for Careers Service events, and coordinating international meetings to support university-employer relationships.
- Developed customised marketing and communication strategies for each employer account, conducting annual KPI reviews to optimise recruitment outcomes.
- Maintained professional representation of University in all employer interactions, consistently reinforcing positive brand image.
- Led graduate recruitment for internal and external University of Manchester programmes, including writing role profiles, coordinating interviews with academics and senior management, and awarding positions to successful candidates.
- Ensured GDPR compliance by maintaining accurate records in Careers Service database and created 'How-to Guides' to assist colleagues with new recruitment platforms.
- Coordinated and delivered three 'Meet the Employer' events as part of Open Weeks, engaging over 150 young participants (ages 16–18) and facilitating opportunities with 12+ employers.
- Developed employer webpage to bolster engagement with Widening Participation strategy.
- Appointed as lead Wellbeing Champion for Careers Service, promoting well-being initiatives and fostering supportive work environment for colleagues.
- Negotiated favourable contracts for maximised profit margins.
PGCE Recruitment and Admissions Officer
The University of Manchester
Manchester
11.2016 - 11.2019
- Oversaw full administrative process of PGCE admissions, managing day-to-day application and offer-making process, assessing applications, scheduling interviews, and organising assessment centres
- Processed successful offers and rejections, ensuring adherence to university and national guidelines, and providing policy support to peers
- Led projects to improve recruitment processes, including successfully bringing GCSE equivalency exams in-house, which resulted in higher turnover of unconditional offers
- Took charge of providing guidance on non-standard UK English Language qualifications, including ILETS, offering clarity to both applicants and internal teams
- Resolved applicant complaints professionally through face-to-face meetings, phone calls, and written communication, maintaining positive representation of University at all times
- Engaged with internal stakeholders such as academics and external partners including schools, ensuring smooth collaboration between admissions team and these groups
- Acted as decision-maker for student bursary applications, coordinating funding and ensuring accurate financial records were maintained and shared with ITET Service Manager
- Completed document checks for Tier 4 VISA purposes and was responsible for issuing CAS statements for incoming international students
- Supervised two colleagues in PGCE office, conducting 1-2-1 meetings and team sessions to discuss objectives and review KPI results, while also deputising for PGCE Office Manager when needed.
- Produced recommendations for operational improvements that boosted University revenue and enhanced admissions experience, receiving commendation from Senior Leaders for these contributions.
Management Services Administrator
Manchester Metropolitan University
Manchester
09.2014 - 11.2016
- Took overall responsibility for academic recruitment administration, including liaising with marketing agencies to advertise posts, organising financial payments, arranging interview schedules, and managing diaries for senior staff, including dean
- Coordinated international recruitment for over 50 posts via video conference, ensuring right-to-work documents and presentations were in order
- Worked closely with HR and department chairs to ensure compliance with recruitment policies
- Managed accommodation and hospitality bookings for visiting candidates and interviewers
- Supported two heads of departments as executive assistant, providing administrative support for faculty international group and student support and success group
- Set up sessional contracts, drafted non-routine documents, proofread and edited content, and processed financial transactions
- Organised travel arrangements, including flights, train travel, parking, and itineraries
- Attended regular training and networking events for administrative staff
- Supported faculty executive group by producing management information for strategic reports on faculty staffing contracts.
Project Administrator
NHS Research and Development Northwest & Northwest People In Research
Manchester
06.2012 - 09.2014
- Managed Northwest people in research network, overseeing diary management and coordination of meetings with internal and external stakeholders
- Successfully coordinated Horizon 2020 event, managing venues, budget control, and external speakers for 250 UK and international guests
- Updated websites and social media with event details and information
- Developed and maintained database for NHS R&D directors to streamline patient participation tracking, generating reports to identify appropriate patients for specific research projects
- Produced management information (mi) reports for senior management and organised external visits to department.
Education
Diploma of Higher Education - History of Art
Manchester Metropolitan University
09.2007 - 07.2009
Foundation Degree in Arts - Textiles and Fashion
Central Saint Martin’s College of Art and Design, London University of the Arts
09.2006 - 06.2007
A-Levels - Textiles (Art and Design), English Literature, Theatre Studies, History
Teesdale Science College and Sixth Form Centre
Barnard Castle, Durham 09.2004 - 06.2006
GCSEs - Including English, Maths and Science
Teesdale Science College and Sixth Form Centre
Barnard Castle, Durham 09.2002 - 06.2004
Skills
- Project Management: Skilled at leading complex projects, keeping them on time and within budget
- Budget Management: Experienced in managing funds effectively, ensuring compliance and smart allocation
- Stakeholder Engagement: Great at building relationships with partners to boost collaboration
- Team Leadership: Strong in guiding teams toward shared goals and growth
- Event Planning: Expert at creating impactful events that support strategic goals
- Communication & Marketing: Proficient in crafting targeted messages to engage diverse audiences
- Data Management: Experienced in using data insights for better decision-making and outcomes
- Compliance & Safeguarding: Dedicated to meeting all standards and best practices
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Access and Success officer
The University of Manchester
01.2022 - Current
Global Volunteer and Networks Officer
The University of Manchester
11.2021 - 01.2022
Employability Executive
The University of Manchester
11.2019 - 11.2021
PGCE Recruitment and Admissions Officer
The University of Manchester
11.2016 - 11.2019
Management Services Administrator
Manchester Metropolitan University
09.2014 - 11.2016
Project Administrator
NHS Research and Development Northwest & Northwest People In Research
06.2012 - 09.2014
Diploma of Higher Education - History of Art
Manchester Metropolitan University
09.2007 - 07.2009
Foundation Degree in Arts - Textiles and Fashion
Central Saint Martin’s College of Art and Design, London University of the Arts
09.2006 - 06.2007
A-Levels - Textiles (Art and Design), English Literature, Theatre Studies, History
Teesdale Science College and Sixth Form Centre
09.2004 - 06.2006
GCSEs - Including English, Maths and Science
Teesdale Science College and Sixth Form Centre
09.2002 - 06.2004
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