Senior Country Adviser supporting Swinburne University of Technology

The OpportunityThe Senior Country Manager will represent Swinburne University of Technology within theassigned South Asia market and will play a key role in driving high-quality internationalstudent recruitment and business development outcomes.The Senior Country Manager will generate high-quality student leads and applicationsand work closely with Swinburne's Future Students and Marketing teams to convertenquiries and applicants into enrolments. The role will also provide regular performancereporting, market intelligence, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership acrossthe University.Role SummaryThe role will be accountable for delivering annual recruitment targets while operatingwithin Swinburne's strategic, financial, quality and compliance parameters. This will involvedeveloping new recruitment channels, strengthening existing partnerships, managingeducation agents, delivering market-specific campaigns and events, and continuouslyevaluating recruitment performance and return on investment.The Senior Country Manager will also act as a market expert, providing authoritativeadvice to internal stakeholders on international recruitment trends, competitor activity,market developments, legislation, student behaviour, and emerging opportunities.Key ResponsibilitiesStrategy and Planning● Develop and implement sophisticated, multi-channel international studentrecruitment and sales strategies for the assigned market.● Develop and implement sophisticated, multi-channel international studentrecruitment and sales strategies for the assigned market.● Develop quarterly activity plans and contribute to long-term internationalrecruitment strategies.● Identify new business development opportunities, recruitment channels,partnerships, and market opportunities.● Achieve annual recruitment targets through the effective use of available tools andresources, including scholarships and genuine student assessment processes.● Ensure recruitment activities are delivered on time, within budget, and to therequired standard● Regularly evaluate recruitment plans, activities, and outcomes to maximise returnon investment.● Undertake specialist market research to inform strategies, proposals, businesscases, product development, policies, and procedures.Student Recruitment and Marketing● Lead marketing, sales, recruitment, partnership, and business developmentactivities across the assigned markets.● Develop innovative marketing and recruitment plans with strong digitalcomponents● Generate high-quality student leads, applications, and enrolments.● Work closely with Future Students and Marketing teams to convert enquiries andapplicants into enrolments● Represent Swinburne at education fairs, exhibitions, alumni sessions, agentbriefings, school visits, partner information sessions, and government-ledrecruitment events.● Conduct seminars, interview programs, workshops, and recruitment activities forprospective students.● Develop and maintain a network of feeder schools and deliver initiatives targetedat prospective students.● Develop parent, guardian, influencer, and student engagement strategies incollaboration with Swinburne stakeholders.● Support and, where required, lead Swinburne roadshows, open days, and othermarket-based recruitment initiatives.● Manage the local production, storage, and distribution of promotional materials asrequired.● Support regular social media activity and digital engagement across the assignedregion.Agent and Partnership Management● Build, manage, and leverage a diverse network of education agents andrecruitment partners● Ensure effective engagement, training, support, and compliance acrossSwinburne's primary recruitment channel.● Identify opportunities to optimise existing recruitment partnerships and developnew partnerships.● Develop and maintain relationships with schools, educational institutions,sponsoring organisations, alumni, government bodies, and other strategicstakeholders.● Develop and service partnerships with schools and academic institutions, includingarticulation and Study Abroad opportunities● Provide timely training and support to agents to improve application quality,completeness, and conversion.● Monitor agent activity and ensure compliance with Swinburne requirements andrelevant legislation.● Participate in agent management initiatives, quality assurance activities, audits,and continuous improvement projects.Market Intelligence and Data Analysis● Maintain up-to-date knowledge of international student recruitment trends, marketdevelopments, competitor activity, and regulatory changes.● Provide performance data, analytical reports, market intelligence, and strategicadvice to senior management.● Monitor recruitment performance against sales and enrolment targets.● Analyse application-to-offer, visa approval, application completeness, and otherrecruitment metrics.● Maintain knowledge of and, where applicable, use StudyLink Connect and otherrelevant technology platforms.● Provide insights into student decision-making, customer acquisition, engagement,and conversion.Compliance and Risk Management● Ensure recruitment activity is undertaken within Swinburne's established risk andcompliance frameworks Contribute to marketing content and promotionalactivities.● Maintain specialist knowledge of relevant Australian and international legislation,overseas education systems, cultural protocols, and business practices.● Maintain a strong understanding of the ESOS Act 2000 and the Nation Code.● Complete genuine student background checks and contribute to genuine student-related intelligence gathering.● Participate in compliance audits and initiatives designed to improve recruitmentquality and University performanceKey Performance IndicatorsThe Senior Country Manager will be accountable for a set of annually approved KPIs, whichmay include :● Achievement of agreed student enrolment targets.● Application-to-offer rates as a measure of application quality.● Visa approval rates.● Delivery of regular market intelligence and insight reports.● Completion and recording of education agent training.Qualifications and Experience● Relevant Bachelor's degree or post-degree professional marketing qualificationwith at least five years of subsequent relevant experience; or extensive relevantexperience and management expertise; or an equivalent combination ofeducation, training, and experience.● Expert knowledge of international marketing, student recruitment, admissionspractices, and the use of alumni to support recruitment.● Demonstrated experience in student recruitment and education marketing forinternational students.● Experience developing, implementing, and evaluating recruitment strategies andactivities against defined targets and deadlines.● Proven ability to work independently, meet deadlines, achieve targets, and resolvecomplex problems using judgement, flexibility, and initiative.● Understanding of customer acquisition, engagement, nurture marketing,conversion strategies, and student decision-making processes.● Valid passport and ability to travel domestically and internationally.Skills and Competencies● Ability to lead, motivate, coordinate, and develop an international studentrecruitment team.● Strong ability to develop and implement market-specific recruitment, sales, andbusiness development strategies.● Demonstrated high-level sales, negotiation, relationship management, and deal-closing skills.● Market Expertise: Strong understanding of international education markets, studentbehaviour, recruitment channels, and competitive dynamics.● Analytical Skills: Ability to interpret recruitment data, identify trends, assessperformance, and make evidence-based decisions.● Communication: Excellent English communication skills, with fluency in Hindi andone or more additional local languages used within South Asia.● Understanding of nurture marketing, student decision-making processes,customer engagement, conversion strategies, and future-student lifecycles.● Proven ability to meet deadlines and achieve recruitment and businessdevelopment targets.Benefits● Gain valuable industry exposure, enhance your professional network, and buildskills that can boost future career opportunities● Be part of a globally recognised organisation in international educationWebsite Address: www.acumen.educationSocial Media: https://www.linkedin.com/company/acumen-edu/