International Channel Manager

The International Channel Manager will take responsibility for the delivery of student recruitment activity for the international market segments in relation to the engagement of influencers (primarily agent representative partners) and pathway and progression partners.   Recruiting through the agent network in particular delivers an essential part of the university’s core strategic objectives in achieving enrolment targets and as such this is a role of particular responsibility in the context of a demanding, competitive and complex global market environment. 

 The postholder will support the International Student Recruitment Lead in implementing the Directorate’s responses to changing patterns of demand for global higher education in general and University of Kent programmes in particular to  achieve challenging strategic goals.  They will contribute to effective planning and anticipate market demands by implementing plans that are proactive and creative. The postholder will contribute to the successful execution of the student recruitment strategy, with particular input into and accountability for the international student segments recruited through partner channels.  The postholder will work seamlessly in collaboration with the Student Recruitment team and colleagues in the wider Directorate to inform effective and innovative agent relationship management activity and oversee the processes and policies in relation to the recruitment of agent partners that will maximise the potential of this important channel of student recruitment.

 As the International Channel Manager you can expect to be involved in:

• Work with the International Student Recruitment Lead to support the development of the strategy and plans for international student recruitment through agents and partners;
• Taking responsibility for the implementation of the agent management programme ensuring that due diligence, contracting, onboarding and renewal processes are compliant with University procedures and following the Agent Quality Framework (AQF).  
• Deliver the portfolio of activity aimed at the initial engagement and progression of prospective international students through the agent and partner funnel, delivering creative programming for agents and partners which motivates the application and enrolment choices of their prospective students in order to achieve international student cohort targets;
• Contribute expertise on recruitment through agents and partners to the work of recruitment teams in developing relationship management campaigns in international markets; and in the same way support the delivery of complex chains of communications to prospective international students to encourage and further participation by engaging agent and partner networks, ensuring that the role of agents and partners as key influencers is present in all aspects of the student recruitment plan.

What will you bring to the role?

• Educated to degree level or equivalent 
• Experience working at an equivalent level in an education industry or related setting (and preferably in higher education) 
• Understanding of the market for UK higher education and broader context, both internationally and for international students in the UK, and an understanding of the role of agent representatives within international student recruitment 
• International experience and familiarity with the complexities of operating globally in different cultures, ideally in marketing, communications related or B2B roles 
• Evidence of effective negotiation and influencing skills, particularly the ability to persuade and inspire colleagues to work collaboratively to ensure strategic objectives are met 

What we can offer in return:

As a member of our team, you can expect a friendly, open and collaborative working environment and support in your development and wellbeing. You'll enjoy a range of great staff benefits including:

• 43 days' leave per year (personal leave, bank holidays and additional days allocated for the Christmas period, pro rata for part-time staff)
• Excellent pension scheme with generous employer contributions
• Corporate employee-funded healthcare plan, in partnership with Benenden Health

Please see the links below to view the full job description and to apply for this post. For further information regarding the application process, please contact peopleserviceshr@kent.ac.uk quoting reference number EE-001-25