JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE: International Operations Manager
DEPARTMENT: International Office
LOCATION: Brayford Pool Campus
POST NUMBER: MR4051
GRADE: 8
DATE: October 2011
Context
The University of Lincoln has recently adopted a new International Recruitment and Marketing Strategy that requires the creation of a results-driven International Office and that enables the University to achieve its international objectives. The International Office will be responsible, in the first instance, for the achievement of defined international student recruitment targets and the facilitation of student support that assists student recruitment such as marketing via current international students, and welcome services for newly arrived students.
The International Office will develop and service partnerships with an extensive agent network overseas and manage the University’s partnership with major international partners, including Study Group. The Office will also assist the University’s faculties for the development of academic partnerships that will result in an improvement to both direct and indirect channels for international student recruitment.
It is also anticipated that the International Office will contribute towards the internationalisation of the University through curriculum development assistance and the development of cross cultural awareness.
Job Purpose
The purpose of this post is to provide the Director of International Office role with strong operational management support as follows:
-implementing the University’s International Recruitment and Marketing Strategy
-operationally manage the International Office and line-manage the international team and resources.
-maximise the University’s ability to recruit international students
-profile the International Office with academic and business support colleagues
-contribute towards building a University-wide awareness of internationalisation
Key Responsibilities
International Recruitment and Marketing Strategy Implementation
Develop an operational plan to implement and achieve the International Office Recruitment and Marketing Strategy.
International Office
Line-manage the international team, including team development and performance reviews.
Ensure the international team delivers a high level of customer service to new and current international student visitors, external visitors, VIPs and academic colleagues.
International Student Recruitment and Marketing
In advance of the recruitment cycle and working with the Director, develop a detailed recruitment and marketing budget and monitor this throughout the cycle, ensuring effective expenditure and achieving the best return on investment.
Manage the development of recruitment and marketing plans for each target market overseas.
Manage the design of materials and presentations for overseas markets, adjusting the content as appropriate for the audience.
Manage the development and implementation of the Recruitment Travel Plan to visit target markets and contribute to the recruitment and conversion of applicants.
Encourage faculty input and participation in the International Office Recruitment Travel Plan.
Manage the analysis of target markets & their performance and assess for return on investment.
Manage the development of statistical reports for committees and important meetings.
Manage the student application recruitment journey and conversion activities as required.
Manage the market intelligence on international student recruitment and ensure publicity materials such as Welcome brochure, scholarship flyers and promotions etc., to assist international recruitment are up-to-date and contain comprehensive information about popular programmes of study is provided on a timely basis for applicants and agent partners overseas.
Manage and develop a high performing agent network overseas and the database that tracks its performance.
Manage the International Officers and motivate them to increase the volume and quality of international applications generated per target market.
Manage the development and implementation of a CRM operational plan that improves conversion on applications and the ratio of new enrolment.
Develop processes for the award of scholarships and prizes that incentivise new enrolments.
Monitor and communicate to the relevant parties changes in immigration rules and other UKBA matters relating to international student recruitment.
International Student Support and Retention
Manage the delivery of a welcome and orientation service for newly arrived international students.
Manage the international team in it’s delivery of the Loyalty Reward Programme and via marketing with current international students.
Coordinate and liaise with Alumni Office to encourage marketing and recruitment activities with current international students and recent international graduates.
International Partnerships
Support the University’s partnership with Study Group, this will involve close coordination in overseas activities to achieve cost effective savings.
Oversee the servicing of the agent network with high quality training and develop appropriate materials such as Agent Training Pack, with market-specific advice on applications and admissions, student support etc.
Support faculty international partnership development activity.
New Product Development
Manage the development of market intelligence for curriculum development that is attractive to international markets.
Faculty engagement and networking
Develop an internal communications plan that supports greater cross-cultural awareness across the University and encourages faculty involvement in international recruitment and marketing activities, such as participation at fairs and exhibitions overseas.
Support academic colleagues and faculty management in the development of faculty-specific recruitment and marketing plans.
Internationalisation
Liaise with the Research Office to provide advice and assistance on international research collaboration.
Liaise with enterprise@lincoln to provide advice and assistance on international student employability.
Liaise with Centre for Educational Research and Development, GraduateSchool and faculties to provide advice and assistance on the internationalisation of the curriculum.
Other Duties
Undertake any other duties at the direction of the Director of International Office as may be appropriate to this area of activity that is commensurate with the grade and skills of the post holder.
KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
INTERNAL
Line Manager: Director of International Office
Direct Reports: International team comprising - Senior International Officer (x1) International Officer (x2), Assistant International Officer (x1)
University Faculties, Centre for Educational Research and Development, Research Office, enterprise@lincoln
EXTERNAL
British Council, UKBA, UUK International Unit, Overseas Institutions
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Job Title: International Operations Manager
Post Number: MR4051
Date: October 2011
Selection Criteria
/ Essential (E) or Desirable (D) / Where EvidencedApplication (A), Interview (I), Presentation (P); References (R)
Qualifications:
Degree
Postgraduate Degree
Chartered Institute of Marketing Professional Diploma
Fluency in foreign languages / E
D
D
D / A
A
A
A
Experience:
Proven track record of success in international student recruitment with significant improvement in international numbers
Significant experience of international marketing
Proven track record of achievement of developing and implementing effective marketing plans
Record of effective staff and resource management
Proven track record in ability to operate and influence at a senior level, in terms of networking with senior colleagues and industry partners / D
E
E
E
E / A, I, R
A, I, R
A, I, R
A, I, R
A, I, R
Skills and Knowledge:
Excellent oral, written and cross-cultural communication skills
Excellent presentation skills
Strong influencing and networking skills
Ability to motivate a team in a changing environment and culture
Sound understanding of the HE macro environment and its economic climate, as it relates to international student recruitment and internationalisation / E
E
E
E
D / A, I, R
A, I, R
A, I, R
A, I, R
A, I, R
Competencies & Personal Attributes:
Ability to be flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances and priorities
Ability to manage change in a working environment
Empathetic and sensitive to all cultures and ethnicities
Highly self-motivated
Able to demonstrate credibility and management of information at both local and senior levels of management / E
E
E
E
E / A, I, R
A, I, R
A, I, R
A, I, R
A, I, R
Business Requirements:
Willingness to travel domestically and internationally
Willingness to work evenings and weekends as required by International Office business expectations / E
E / A, I, R
A, I, R
Essential Requirements are those, without which, a candidate would not be able to do the job.
Desirable Requirements are those which would be useful for the post holder to possess and will be considered when more than one applicant meets the essential requirements.