International Market Development Manager at Navitas

Key Responsibilities:
Student Recruitment

• Develop and deliver annual student recruitment plans and enrolment targets, driving undergraduate and postgraduate recruitment growth across African markets.
• Lead recruitment campaigns, exhibitions, webinars, school engagement activities, and represent the University at fairs, partner events, government meetings, and sector conferences.
• Monitor market trends, competitor activity, scholarships, policies, and external factors to identify opportunities and optimise recruitment performance.

Market Development

• Identify opportunities for growth and diversification across existing and emerging markets.
• Identify and develop new academic partnership opportunities that support student recruitment growth.
• Provide support to the University Head of International Partnerships/TNE and the International Partnership team in developing TNE opportunities, including articulation and progression for the University of Plymouth.

Stakeholder and Partnership Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with educational agents, recruitment partners, schools, universities, scholarship bodies, ministries, and key stakeholders across Africa.
• Act as the University's primary relationship manager, developing strategic partnerships to drive student recruitment growth and market opportunities.
• Ensure partnership compliance while maintaining stakeholder engagement, market intelligence, and recruitment opportunities through regular interactions and partner events.

Team Leadership and Management

• Provide day-to-day leadership, line management, performance management, and development support to Student Recruitment Co-ordinators and the Conversion Officer.
• Set clear objectives, performance measures, and development plans while fostering a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and customer-focused service.
• Manage resources and budgets effectively to maximise recruitment outcomes, operational efficiency, and compliance with University financial processes and procedures.

Conversion and Enrolment Management

• Oversee the applicant conversion strategy for African markets and lead targeted conversion campaigns and yield activities for offer holders.
• Collaborate with admissions, marketing, and academic colleagues to improve applicant conversion and enrolment rates.
• Monitor application pipelines, identify interventions to enhance conversion performance, and ensure high-quality applicant communication throughout the recruitment cycle.

Data Analysis and Reporting

• Analyse recruitment performance, market trends, and enrolment outcomes, producing reports, forecasts, and insights to support target achievement and strategic decision-making.
• Monitor market intelligence and provide evidence-based recommendations to drive market development and recruitment growth initiatives.
• Manage recruitment budgets, track ROI and KPIs, and ensure effective resource allocation and budget efficiency.

Cross-University Collaboration

• Work collaboratively with academic faculties and schools, admissions and conversion, marketing, international partnerships and student support teams.
• Support the development and implementation of the University's strategy.
• Contribute to institutional projects, policy development and strategic planning activities relating to international recruitment.

Essential Criteria
Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent professional qualification.

Experience

• Proven success in international student recruitment within higher education, including recruitment across diverse African markets.
• Experience developing and delivering recruitment strategies, managing agents, recruitment partners, and stakeholder relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to lead high-performing teams and consistently achieve recruitment and business development targets.

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong understanding of African education systems and student recruitment practices.
• Excellent relationship management, stakeholder engagement, communication, presentation, analytical, and reporting skills.
• Proficiency in CRM systems and recruitment technologies, with strong planning, organizational, project management, and multi-tasking abilities.
• Willingness to travel regularly across target markets.

Desirable Criteria

• International qualification and experience within a UK higher education environment, with a strong understanding of UKVI regulations and international admissions processes.
• Proven experience building target-driven, customer-focused recruitment strategies and sales teams, supported by data-driven decision-making and budget management.
• Established network of education stakeholders across Africa, with the ability to develop partnerships, drive recruitment growth, and work independently in a regional role.