Higher & Further Education (HE & FE)

The Higher and Further Education sector is a cornerstone of the UK’s public landscape. Universities and colleges are under increasing pressure to deliver high-quality education, manage modern estates, and provide exceptional student experiences in a competitive environment.

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The Higher and Further Education sector is a cornerstone of the UK’s public landscape. Universities and colleges are under increasing pressure to deliver high-quality education, manage modern estates, and provide exceptional student experiences in a competitive environment.

At Dawson Jones Recruitment, we specialise in connecting professional services talent with institutions that value innovation, integrity, and long-term impact. We understand the balance between commercial priorities and educational values — and the importance of appointing people who make a measurable difference behind the scenes.

Our Expertise

With 20 years’ experience recruiting into the public and not-for-profit sectors, we work in partnership with higher and further education providers to support recruitment across a range of non-academic functions.

Our areas of focus include:

Estates & Facilities Management
Health, Safety & Compliance
Sustainability & Energy
Finance, HR & Corporate Services
Governance, Administration & Student Services

This breadth allows us to deliver flexible, insight-led recruitment solutions — from specialist appointments through to senior leadership roles.

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Understanding the Sector

The education landscape continues to evolve — shaped by funding challenges, digital transformation, and the growing importance of sustainability and inclusion. Recruiting the right professionals has never been more critical to maintaining institutional resilience and reputation.

Our sector knowledge ensures we understand the complexities of university structures, decision-making processes, and the cultural nuances that make every institution unique.

Roles We Support

While our focus often includes estates, facilities, and wider professional services, our experience spans a broad range of non-academic appointments across higher and further education.

Role we support include:

Heads of Estates or Campus Services
Facilities, Property & Asset Managers
Health, Safety & Compliance Leaders
Finance, HR & Operations Managers
Sustainability and Energy Specialists
Professional Services & Governance Roles

We also support other specialist and leadership roles across the sector — tailoring our approach to each institution’s structure, culture, and long-term objectives.

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Charities & Not-for-Profit Organisations
Charities & NFPOs
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Social Housing
Social Housing
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Local Authorities
Local Authorities
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Sectors Overview
Sectors Overview