Country Manager, Vietnam - supporting University of Melbourne

Role/Title: Country Manager, Vietnam - supporting University of Melbourne

Location: Hanoi/ Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

About Us

Acumen, established in 2008 under the Sannam S4 Group umbrella, is a premier internationalization partner for educational institutions worldwide. Originating in India, we have expanded our services across Asia, North America, and beyond, providing comprehensive support to universities and organizations embarking on their global journeys.

Our Mission and Approach

Driven by research and rich data insights, Acumen offers innovative solutions tailored to the unique needs of each partner. Our end-to-end services empower educational institutions to establish and enhance their international presence, ensuring they receive trusted guidance and expertise at every step.

Global Reach and Services

With a strong presence in India, South and Southeast Asia, and North America, Acumen delivers excellence in education consulting, advisory, and implementation. Our services include in-country representation, high school engagement, agent management, enrollment services, and strategic consulting, all designed to help institutions thrive in today&aposs competitive international education landscape.

Our Team and Values

Our diverse team of over 300 professionals, with a 70% female representation, embodies our core values: Collaboration, Agility, Impact, Empowerment, and Integrity. This commitment to diversity and inclusion fosters a dynamic and supportive environment, enabling us to deliver impactful solutions to our partners.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a professional to join the Acumen team to provide full-time support to one of our prestigious higher education clients, University of Melbourne*, to manage the Universitys student recruitment and engagement activities in the Vietnam market and manage 1 direct report.

*University of Melbourne

Established in 1853, the University of Melbourne is a leading international university with a tradition of excellence in teaching and research. A third of the Universitys students are international students and University staff have networks across the world. The main campus in the heart of Melbourne is recognised as the hub of Australias premier knowledge precinct. The University includes nine faculties, world-leading research institutes and a wide range of knowledge-based industries. Currently ranked as the top university in Australia, the University of Melbourne is at the forefront of higher education in the Asia-Pacific region and the world.

The University of Melbourne employs people of outstanding calibre and offers a unique environment where staff are valued and rewarded. Find out more about the Universitys strategy, Advancing Melbourne, at https://about.unimelb.edu.au/strategy/advancing-melbourne

Role Summary :

The role is responsible for implementing and delivering the Universitys Student Recruitment Plan and Vietnam Market Action Plan, to achieve the relevant University strategic targets and profiling objectives. The Country Manager, Vietnam supports the Universitys relationships with key divisions of Vietnam government entities across all sectors and levels.

Partnering with internal and external stakeholders, the Vietnam team manages enquiries and provides outstanding customer service to prospective students and their influencers, manages relationships with the Universitys representative network (educational agents), nurtures relationships with feeder high schools & careers counsellors, alumni and other third-party partners including institutional, governmental and industry bodies to raise the Universitys profile in Vietnam.

To succeed, the Country Manager will require a sophisticated understanding of the structural and organisational complexities of the education sector in Vietnam, an appreciation of the prevailing cultural norms, habits and beliefs in Vietnam, excellent English language skills, understanding of the University of Melbourne strategic priorities and knowledge of the Universitys research and teaching communities.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Student recruitment strategy development, implementation and oversight:

• Develop and recommend strategies to maximise opportunities for university profiling and marketing in relation to student recruitment in Vietnam.
• In close collaboration with the Senior Manager, Offshore Recruitment and Associate Director, Student Recruitment, develop and implement a Vietnam Market Action Plan which supports the Universitys Student Recruitment Plan and the strategic objectives under Advancing Melbourne Globally, including the International Student Diversification Plan, which sets out clear objectives and measurable targets.
• Monitor the student recruitment plan and report against clearly set objectives and measurable targets for different recruitment segments, across Vietnams geographical areas.
• Engage with the Universitys digital marketing activities and provide advice and guidance on tailored in-language content customised for the Vietnam context.
• Manage and monitor the Vietnam operational budget and oversee the appropriate resource allocation to meet the service delivery outcomes of the Vietnam Action Plan.

2. Leadership, provision of advice and collaboration:

• Provide expert leadership, direction and coaching to the Student Recruitment Manager (Vietnam) to ensure strong performance
• Provide expert and timely advice to staff across the University on current and potential market trends in Vietnam and on marketing and recruitment strategies to meet the Universitys international undergraduate student targets.
• Provide advice to Alumni Relations on the current alumni activity and on potential and future opportunities.
• Provide advice to colleagues across Chancellor Global, Culture and Engagement and Faculties on current and potential partnerships opportunities in Vietnam.

3. Coordination of university profiling and student recruitment activities:

• Plan and implement University student information events, including participation in events managed by the Universitys education agents and external sponsors.
• Coordinate and undertake a schools strategy.
• Co-ordinate pre-departure and welcome home briefings for students and families.
• Co-ordinate and support other key University events, including visits by Melbourne University staff.
• Follow-up from profiling and student activities, ensuring pre-qualified leads are captured in the University of Melbournes CRM so that these can be followed up in a timely manner.
• Contribute to Student Recruitment Planning in Melbourne, initiating activities in Vietnam for academic division involvement.
• Ensure that the foreshadowing of in-country activities and reporting on these, particularly through the Offshore Recruitment Activities Calendar for Vietnam, is of high quality and timely.

4. Relationship Management:

• Manage the relationships with the Universitys network of education agents in Vietnam; and make recommendations in relation to contract management, performance evaluation, training and the appointment of agents.
• Support the management of key external relationships across Vietnam, including with schools, colleges, alumni, institutional partners, government organisations and industry.
• Engage with key internal University stakeholders across Chancellery, Student and Scholarly Services (SASS), Faculties, Communications and Marketing and Alumni Relations.

Qualifications and Experience:

• The appointee will have a tertiary qualification in marketing, international relations, international business or related field and/or relevant experience and training.

Skills and Competencies:

• Proven ability in formulating and implementing strategy within the context of international education.
• Relationship management experience in Vietnam and in Australia, with a proven ability to interact with people across cultures and various levels of seniority.
• Experience in working with key stakeholders and gatekeepers within the international education context in Vietnam.
• Experience in managing staff and performance management.
• Demonstrated experience in internal and external stakeholder management in a complex, multi- layered organisation, and an ability to influence decision- making.
• Highly developed problem solving and analytical skills and an ability to develop innovative and creative solutions and strategies.
• Proven ability to organise and prioritise effectively.
• Demonstrated high level written and oral communication skills.
• High level interpersonal and negotiation skills.

Benefits:

• Competitive compensation package
• Be part of a globally recognized organization in international education

If youre eager to work with a world-class team of professionals, passionate about international education and student mobility, and driven to make a meaningful impact in this exciting and dynamic field, we encourage you to apply

Website Address: www.acumen.education

Social Media: https://www.linkedin.com/company/acumen-edu/