Regional Manager - International Operations

Job Summary

Robert Gordon University (RGU) is widely recognised, locally, nationally and internationally, as a distinctive part of Aberdeen and Scotland’s education landscape. Every one of our 1,500 employees makes their own unique and equally important contribution to our success, at every level of our operation.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a leadership role within our International Student Recruitment team and you are likely to have experience in a similar customer focussed, target driven environment such as marketing, recruitment or business development.

You will be responsible for growing the success RGU has had with its in-country offices in three locations (Nigeria, India and Pakistan) and launch further in-country operations in emerging markets across Africa, South Asia and South East Asia. You will create a unit within the International Student Recruitment team which specialises in maximising the success of our overseas operations. Your role will therefore include working across different time zones and for you to undertake some overseas travel over the course of each year.

You will be self-motivated and proactive with a strong ethos for colleague and customer service, and understanding of working across cultures.

Managing members of the In-Country teams means that we will also be looking for candidates that can demonstrate leadership skills and have a passion for developing and motivating others. This is an excellent opportunity for an individual who enjoys being part of the team, has an eye for detail and can bring others along to meet clear recruitment targets.

In keeping with RGU's commitment to work/life balance you will have the opportunity to work from home for a portion of the working week and also benefit from a generous pension scheme, 46 days annual leave (including statutory days) an onsite nursery and sports centre, as well as a range of voluntary health and travel benefits.

If you have any questions about this role prior to application, please email Michelle Duncan, Head of Student Recruitment (m.duncan12@rgu.ac.uk)

To apply please submit your CV, along with a covering letter, detailing how you meet the requirements of the role detailed in the person specification.

Job Description

RESPONSIBLE TO: Head of Student Recruitment

RESPONSIBLE FOR: In-Country Officers (x3) In-Country Assistants (x3) based internationally

PURPOSE OF POST: To design and oversee student recruitment plans for specified regional areas in line with the University's overall international recruitment strategy and in support of the University’s strategic objectives and goals.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES

• Support the Head of Student Recruitment in providing strategic leadership for the diversification of international undergraduate and postgraduate recruitment and conversion processes
• Line manage ICOs, including overseas-based recruitment teams, ensuring recruitment priorities and associated activities in current and emerging markets are clearly aligned with the University’s Strategic Plan, and effectively impacting on annual targets
• Lead on the operational implementation of the University’s international recruitment strategy to maximise recruitment and revenue growth in line with KPIs and targets
• Work closely with colleagues in Schools, Admissions, and Marketing and Communications, in shaping and delivering the recruitment cycle
• Lead on the development and implementation of recruitment and conversion plans for locations with in-country operations
• Monitor, evaluate and report on trends and developments across priority and emerging markets to inform the University’s recruitment strategy; identify growth and business development opportunities and respond effectively to emerging issues
• Collate, analyse and interpret market-related data to report on performance against targets, provide insights and make recommendations to meet recruitment objectives
• Carry out budget forecasts, monitoring, evaluating and reporting on spending, ensuring sound budgetary and financial management
• With support from the Regional Manager – Partnerships, ensure effective operational management of the University’s network of overseas agents, reporting on performance in line with annual targets and ensuring the implementation of a range of activities and initiatives to meet growth expectations
• Provide support, guidance and advice to colleagues to develop and deliver recruitment plans in line with School and University objectives to drive student recruitment growth
• Work collaboratively with third parties, including agent aggregators, and QS Enrolment Solutions, to enhance and develop our approach to lead generation, enquiry management and conversion
• Oversee the management of external relationships with school counsellors, partners (including those responsible for promoting ICRGU pathway programmes) and other external bodies to ensure effective representation of the University in priority markets
• Represent the University externally, attending meetings and sitting on Committees with Scottish, UK and overseas sector colleagues and other educational institutions, government and external bodies e.g. British Council
• Plan, organise and participate in inward visits (conferences/presentations /workshops) designed to inform and motivate a range of stakeholders, including prospective students, agents and partners, school counsellors and representatives from UK and overseas governments or funding bodies

Person Specification

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications and Professional Memberships

First degree required.

Knowledge and skills

Understanding of international and/or home Higher Education recruitment markets.

Strong market research and analytical skills.

Confident in using Microsoft Office e.g. Word, Excel, Outlook, and reviewing data insight tools like Tableau

 

Experience

Proven line management experience of customer service teams.

Established experience in a marketing, recruitment or business development environment.

Driving teams to deliver to set SLAs and/or targets as set by the business.

Target driven to achieve ambitious recruitment targets.

 

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS

Knowledge and skills

Knowledge of one or more recruitment market.

Knowledge of developing integrated marketing and communication solutions.

Experience

Experience of working in a Higher Education Sector.

Evidence of providing senior management with MI and reporting/analysis.

Previous work with overseas agents.

Managing/working closely with a remote team

 

OTHER

Please note that some overseas travel will be required over the course of each year. 

Behaviours

Behaviour 1: Communication - Ability to receive, understand and convey information requiring careful explanation and information of a complex or conceptual nature, in a clear and accurate manner

Behaviour 2: Service Delivery - Experience of exploring and adapting a service to meet customers’ expectations and also identifying ways of improving standards

Behaviour 3: Decision Making - Experience of using own judgement to make decisions, making collaborative decisions with others to reach conclusions and providing advice or information that will influence the decisions of others

Behaviour 4: Team Development - Experience of providing advice or guidance to new starts, delivering training or instruction to others on specific tasks or activities and identifying the training and development needs of the team and carrying out performance appraisals

Behaviour 5: Liaison and Networking - Experience of circulating information in an accurate and timely manner, working across team boundaries to build and strengthen working relationships and leading and developing internal networks to pursue a shared interest

Behaviour 6: Planning and Organising Resources - Experience of planning, prioritising and organising the work of yourself and others (within own area) on a daily, weekly or monthly basis, whilst ensuring the effective use of resources