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 an experienced and results-driven Business Development Manager to represent an Australian university in Vietnam. This role is instrumental in strengthening institutional partnerships, driving business development initiatives, and overseeing student recruitment strategies.
Key Responsibilities
1. Partnership & Business Development (80%)
- Identify, engage, and manage strategic partnerships with Vietnamese universities, colleges, schools, private education groups, and corporate stakeholders.
- Lead the development and execution of partnership strategies to support transnational education (TNE), executive education, articulation, and collaborative program opportunities.
- Facilitate introductions, build relationships, and support negotiations between the university and prospective partners.
- Deliver client projects involving partnership facilitation, local stakeholder engagement, and market entry or expansion strategy.
- Manage the Universitys network of education agents in Vietnam, including advising on contract management, performance evaluation, training, and agent appointment.
- Support the management of key external relationships across Vietnam, including schools, colleges, alumni, institutional partners, government organizations, and industry.
- Engage proactively with internal university stakeholders, including Chancellery, Student and Scholarly Services (SASS), Faculties, Communications and Marketing, and Alumni Relations, to ensure alignment and effective collaboration.
- Represent the university at in-country stakeholder meetings, conferences, and events to raise institutional profile.
- Develop and maintain a comprehensive database of local partners and key contacts.
- Provide market intelligence and strategic advice to internal university stakeholders on trends, risks, and opportunities within the Vietnam education sector.
2. Student Recruitment Oversight (20%)
- Contribute to the development and implementation of a Vietnam Market Action Plan aligned with the universitys international student recruitment strategy.
- Support student-facing activities such as school visits, university fairs, pre-departure briefings, and digital engagement campaigns.
- Work with education agents, school counsellors, and local influencers to drive undergraduate and postgraduate student interest.
- Monitor recruitment targets, report on outcomes, and ensure lead management through CRM systems.
- Provide feedback and insights to shape marketing content and ensure cultural and linguistic relevance for the Vietnamese market.
Qualifications and Experience
Essential:
- A bachelors degree in Business, Marketing, International Relations, Education, or a related field.
- Minimum of 7 years experience in business development, preferably in international education or partnership management roles.
- 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.
- 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.
- Strong interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills.
- Ability to work independently, deliver against targets, and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- High levels of cultural awareness, integrity, and professionalism.
- Bilingual fluency in English and Vietnamese.
Desirable:
- Experience in transnational education or institutional partnership development.
- Familiarity with the Australian higher education system.
- Existing network of education contacts in Vietnam.
Benefits:
- Competitive salary and benefits (including 13th-month bonus and private health insurance).
- An international, inclusive, and collaborative working environment.
- Opportunities for professional development and global exposure.
- The chance to make a meaningful impact in Vietnams education landscape.
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/
