Director, China

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in China.

📋 Description

• Oversee the formulation and execution of Deakin's strategy for China.

• Direct international student recruitment, engagement with government and stakeholders, transnational education initiatives, institutional collaborations, and market expansion.

• Create cohesive market strategies to enhance Deakin's reputation, achieve sustainable student recruitment, and broaden strategic partnerships.

• Manage a geographically distributed team across four offices in mainland China.

• Ensure high standards of staff engagement, operational excellence, compliance, and financial performance.

• Cultivate and sustain relationships with Chinese government entities, Australian and Victorian government representatives in China, peak bodies, and influential figures.

• Represent Deakin University at significant educational, governmental, and industry events.

• Provide strategic insights regarding government policies, regulatory changes, and political dynamics.

• Recognize emerging opportunities and challenges within the Chinese education sector.

• Organize strategic inbound visits by senior leaders and representatives of the University.

• Develop and execute the annual China Recruitment Plan and operational budget.

• Spearhead recruitment and conversion strategies to meet enrollment objectives.

• Administer recruitment channels, including agents, schools, and pathways.

• Strategically oversee Deakin's recruitment agent network throughout mainland China and ensure compliance.

• Identify, establish, and enhance strategic partnerships with universities, government agencies, schools, industry organizations, and other stakeholders.

• Support and manage transnational education initiatives.

• Formulate annual engagement plans for key partnerships and ensure quantifiable student transfer and conversion results.

• Maintain senior-level relationships to foster collaborative opportunities in teaching, research, student mobility, employability, and executive education.

• Facilitate reviews and governance processes of partnerships.

• Monitor partnership effectiveness and prepare reports, recommendations, and business cases.

• Guide, mentor, and develop a high-performing team across various locations in mainland China.

• Set performance expectations and assist staff development through coaching, mentoring, and performance planning.

• Promote a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performance culture aligned with Deakin's values.

• Ensure employment practices adhere to Grok and University policies.

• Provide regular updates to Deakin International leadership regarding market trends, policy developments, risks, and opportunities.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or higher, with a robust academic foundation.

• Over 7 years of progressively responsible experience in international education or higher education.

• Strong comprehension of the Chinese international education market, including student recruitment channels, agent networks, market trends, and regulatory frameworks.

• Proven history of developing and executing recruitment and market strategies, demonstrating sustained growth and achievement of enrollment targets.

• Demonstrated ability to build and manage senior-level relationships with universities, government bodies, educational partners, agents, industry organizations, and other key stakeholders.

• Proven experience in business development and partnership management.

• Previous experience representing a recognized international higher education institution is highly desirable.

• Experience working with an Australian university is advantageous.

• Strong leadership and people management experience, including the ability to lead, motivate, and develop a high-performing team across multiple locations.

• Excellent communication skills in English and Mandarin, including business writing, presentation, and negotiation abilities.

• International study, work, or significant overseas experience is preferred.

• Willingness and ability to travel frequently within China and internationally as needed.

• Strategic mindset with the capability to translate strategy into actionable and measurable results.

• Strong stakeholder sensitivity and relationship-building expertise.

• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and influencing skills across diverse cultural and organizational contexts.

• Strong analytical and commercial acumen.

• Sound judgment, integrity, and the ability to navigate complex or sensitive issues.

• Proactive, resourceful, and solution-oriented approach.

• Collaborative and culturally aware methodology.

• Highly self-motivated and results-oriented, with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.

• Strong organizational, prioritization, and self-management abilities.

🏝️ Benefits

• Dynamic, diverse, and inclusive working environment.

• Opportunities for career growth and development.

• Supportive atmosphere with like-minded professionals.

• Staff development initiatives, including coaching, mentoring, and performance planning.

• Access to development opportunities and skills necessary to manage responsibilities.

• Flexible working environment.