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Director of University Relationships
About the company
Our client is a premier international education consultancy with a long-standing track record of connecting students to global institutions. As part of a broader ecosystem that includes technology platforms and education services, the company leverages cuttingedge tools and deep sector expertise to make international education accessible to a wide student base. The firm is currently at an inflection point of growth, with a strategic focus on deepening alliances with toptier universities, particularly in the Australian market.
About the role
This is a senior leadership role taking full strategic ownership of the company's Australian university portfolio. Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you will serve as the dedicated face to critical institutional partners, ensuring the firm remains a preferred recruitment channel while navigating shifting international education policies.
- Elevate strategic partnerships – Transition university relationships from operational accounts to highperforming strategic alliances, establishing longterm roadmaps and outcomedriven agreements.
- Drive commercial excellence – Lead highstakes negotiations to secure improved commercial terms, including enhanced commission structures, preferred partner status, and exclusive incentive frameworks.
- Navigate policy & macro dynamics – Proactively monitor and adapt to shifts in Australian immigration and education policies, ensuring partner institutions remain confident in the market and in the company's recruitment channel.
- Stakeholder influence & management – Build and maintain deep influence with university leadership and their regional representatives in India, aligning institutional goals with groundlevel execution.
- Collaborative leadership – Partner closely with internal sales, operations, and marketing teams to ensure university expectations are met through highquality student recruitment and conversion data.
Requirements
Minimum / core requirements
- Extensive leadership experience in international education or university partnerships, with a dedicated focus on the Australian higher education sector
- An established professional network and direct credibility with Australian university leadership, particularly within the Group of Eight (G8)
- Proven track record in complex commercial negotiations, with the ability to manage financial and contractual aspects of largescale agency partnerships
- Deep expertise in the AustraliaIndia recruitment landscape, including student demographics, competitive positioning, and regulatory frameworks (e.g., ESOS)
- Demonstrated ability to influence seniorlevel stakeholders and navigate a volatile macro environment with agility and strategic foresight
- Ability to work consistently from the company's office in Delhi, India
Preferred / bonus requirements
- Professional experience gained within a Tier1 recruitment agency or a university international office
- Postgraduate degree or equivalent professional qualification
Why join
- Strategic autonomy – A seat at the table role where you move beyond managing accounts to owning the commercial future of the company's most important market.
- Highstakes impact – Inherit and grow a portfolio of prestigious universities during a pivotal time for international education.
- Leadership access – Work directly with the executive leadership team of the broader parent organisation, contributing to a larger mission of transforming global student mobility.
- Growth opportunity – As the company scales its global footprint, you will have the platform to shape best practices for university relations across the entire organisation.
