Job Description

Are you a self-motivated professional ready to take the next step in your international education career? Do you have strong interpersonal and communication skills? Are you excited by the prospect of building strong relationships on behalf of our clients, by the frequent travel, and the opportunity to work in an international environment?

We are Acumen, the education brand of Sannam S4 Group - a fast-growing education and market entry consulting firm. We provide high-quality consulting and support services to international education clients globally. One of our core services is the provision of in-country representatives to support our clients at selectively strategic locations in South and Southeast Asia.

We are seeking a professional to join the Acumen team in Kuala Lumpur, to provide full-time support to one of our higher education clients, Loughborough University, as a Regional Manager (RM). You will work with our Customer Experience (CX) Senior Manager and the rest of our growing team in Kuala Lumpur.

Main Responsibilities

We are looking for a senior international education professional to support our client, Loughborough University, to fulfil its objectives across the Southeast Asia region. This role is part of an ambitious drive by the University to increase its global footprint, broadening access to Loughborough education worldwide, and further enhancing its reputation as a truly global University.

The job-holder\'s primary focus will be carrying out the University\'s recruitment activities across Southeast Asia while other responsibilities include assisting with market strategy, brand building, agent management and partnership development. The position involves frequent, sophisticated interaction with international clients and significant travel time is required.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, driven and flexible customer-service centric candidate based in Kuala Lumpur, with recent experience of working in student recruitment or a similar environment. The post holder will be expected to travel extensively (40%) including weekends covering domestic and international travel.

What You\'ll Do

• Implement the University\'s recruitment plans for Southeast Asia to achieve the University\'s student recruitment goals. This will include: (1) Agent Management, (2) High school and university business development, (3) Industry and Sector business relationship building, (4) Researching and developing HE collaborations with colleges and universities across Southeast Asia
• Develop and drive marketing/business plans in line with University\'s regional recruitment strategy with a focus on achieving student enrolment targets. Conduct market research to identify opportunities and challenges for the University.
• Represent the University in events, conferences and meetings to build profile and awareness of the University brand. Develop relationships with government, business and industry, the education sector, the media and wider community interest groups to support the University\'s regional objectives.
• Identify, develop and maintain the University\'s relationships with key stakeholders (colleges, agencies, high schools, alumni, government departments and offices, corporate entities etc.)
• Build strong working relationships with recruitment agents, including telephone and email communication. Conduct regular visits (virtual and in-person as required) to agent offices to interview prospective students and engage with agency staff.
• Conduct school visits (virtual and in-person as required) to build relationships with school staff and deliver presentations advising high school students about applying to the University.
• Conduct email and telephone follow-up of enquirers met at recruitment events to increase enquirer-application conversion.
• Conduct telephone follow up with new applicants from Southeast Asia to improve application-acceptance conversion.
• Answer email and telephone enquiries from prospective students and parents for Foundation, UG, PGT and PGR courses at the University.
• Aid the Loughborough International Partnerships team the identification, selection and maintenance of relevant HE institutions in Southeast Asia for academic partnerships and various collaborations with the University.
• Set benchmarks and lead by example in providing outstanding standards of service and partnership with all stakeholders across the University\'s faculty and divisions, including prospective and continuing international students, alumni, fellow staff members and external representatives.
• Maintain a thorough knowledge of relevant standards, legislation and political frameworks (both the UK and that of emerging markets)
• Provide high-level advice and guidance on the business practices, protocols, principles, ethics in the emerging markets.
• Prepare and submit monthly and quarterly reports. Review collated statistics to inform planning and strategy, as requested by the senior University staff. Track expenses and manage a budget.
• Contribute to the annual market plan for Southeast Asia in consultation with the Regional Manager. Conduct market research e.g. gathering contact information for high school counsellors, competitor institution entry requirements from Southeast Asia.

What We\'re Looking For

• Completion of a degree and/or relevant combination of skills and experience.
• Demonstrated experience in international education recruitment or experience in sales and meeting/or exceeding targets with the ability to quickly acquire knowledge on international education.
• Candidate has experience in the education industry with at least 3 years of working experience is preferred.
• Excellent written, oral and interpersonal communication skills including the ability to communicate and present effectively to groups, and with a diverse range of people and organisations.
• Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a team, as well as work independently using initiative and judgement.
• High level of responsibility and accountability for completing tasks within specified timeframes.
• Uses own expertise and seeks others\' expertise to achieve team and division goals.
• A valid passport with the ability to travel across Southeast Asia.

*Loughborough University

Loughborough University has a vibrant international community with more than 17,000 students from over 130 different countries/regions around the world. The University has two campuses in Loughborough, Leicestershire (a 523-acre single-site campus that offers undergraduate, postgraduate taught and postgraduate research courses) and London (that exclusively offers postgraduate study and research).

With a renowned student experience (2nd in the UK for student experience in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022), Loughborough University brings together high-quality teaching and support, a vast range of extra-curricular activities, world-class facilities, and industry connections to provide students with extensive placement opportunities and support with developing employability skills.

Along with having a strong reputation for sporting excellence, being one of the largest engineering universities in the UK and having a top 10 UK business school, Loughborough has outstanding rankings in both national and international league tables. Its strong sense of community and team spirit, as well as the progressive and ambitious attitude that is reflected in the success achieved, means it creates an experience that is truly special and distinctive among UK universities.

Sannam S4