International Market Development Manager at Navitas
The Navitas team has been assembled bringing together the proven expert teams of TAKE Life Sciences and WCI Consulting and, adding to this core, a range of experts from the worlds of Clinical Development, Regulatory, Technology, and Consulting. We have built the Navitas team specifically to deliver insight to our clients, to develop pragmatic solutions together, and to support their deployment and operation. We deliver advice, solutions, and services in Clinical, Regulatory, Safety, and Content Management. We are proud that our legacy businesses have served the sector for some 15 years and have allowed us to work with 100 of the top Life Science companies. Our team has now grown to over 500 staff.
We pride ourselves in our role as Expert Navigators. Interpreting market and regulatory change; driving collaboration across companies; seeking the simple solution to the complex problem; investing to enable the changes. We are motivated by the success of our clients and thrive on working together with clients, partners, and each other, across geographies, time zones, and cultures.
Navitas is the dedicated Life Sciences Company of TAKE Solutions GroupKey Responsibilities:
Student Recruitment
Develop and deliver annual student recruitment plans and enrolment targets, driving undergraduate and postgraduate recruitment growth across African markets.
Lead recruitment campaigns, exhibitions, webinars, school engagement activities, and represent the University at fairs, partner events, government meetings, and sector conferences.
Monitor market trends, competitor activity, scholarships, policies, and external factors to identify opportunities and optimise recruitment performance.
Market Development
Identify opportunities for growth and diversification across existing and emerging markets.
Identify and develop new academic partnership opportunities that support student recruitment growth.
Provide support to the University Head of International Partnerships/TNE and the International Partnership team in developing TNE opportunities, including articulation and progression for the University of Plymouth.
Stakeholder and Partnership Management
Build and maintain strong relationships with educational agents, recruitment partners, schools, universities, scholarship bodies, ministries, and key stakeholders across Africa.
Act as the University's primary relationship manager, developing strategic partnerships to drive student recruitment growth and market opportunities.
Ensure partnership compliance while maintaining stakeholder engagement, market intelligence, and recruitment opportunities through regular interactions and partner events.
Team Leadership and Management
Provide day-to-day leadership, line management, performance management, and development support to Student Recruitment Co-ordinators and the Conversion Officer.
Set clear objectives, performance measures, and development plans while fostering a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and customer-focused service.
Manage resources and budgets effectively to maximise recruitment outcomes, operational efficiency, and compliance with University financial processes and procedures.
Conversion and Enrolment Management
Oversee the applicant conversion strategy for African markets and lead targeted conversion campaigns and yield activities for offer holders.
Collaborate with admissions, marketing, and academic colleagues to improve applicant conversion and enrolment rates.
Monitor application pipelines, identify interventions to enhance conversion performance, and ensure high-quality applicant communication throughout the recruitment cycle.
Data Analysis and Reporting
Analyse recruitment performance, market trends, and enrolment outcomes, producing reports, forecasts, and insights to support target achievement and strategic decision-making.
Monitor market intelligence and provide evidence-based recommendations to drive market development and recruitment growth initiatives.
Manage recruitment budgets, track ROI and KPIs, and ensure effective resource allocation and budget efficiency.
Cross-University Collaboration
Work collaboratively with academic faculties and schools, admissions and conversion, marketing, international partnerships and student support teams.
Support the development and implementation of the University's strategy.
Contribute to institutional projects, policy development and strategic planning activities relating to international recruitment.
Essential Criteria
Qualifications
Degree or equivalent professional qualification.
Experience
Proven success in international student recruitment within higher education, including recruitment across diverse African markets.
Experience developing and delivering recruitment strategies, managing agents, recruitment partners, and stakeholder relationships.
Demonstrated ability to lead high-performing teams and consistently achieve recruitment and business development targets.
Knowledge & Skills
Strong understanding of African education systems and student recruitment practices.
Excellent relationship management, stakeholder engagement, communication, presentation, analytical, and reporting skills.
Proficiency in CRM systems and recruitment technologies, with strong planning, organizational, project management, and multi-tasking abilities.
Willingness to travel regularly across target markets.
Desirable Criteria
International qualification and experience within a UK higher education environment, with a strong understanding of UKVI regulations and international admissions processes.
Proven experience building target-driven, customer-focused recruitment strategies and sales teams, supported by data-driven decision-making and budget management.
Established network of education stakeholders across Africa, with the ability to develop partnerships, drive recruitment growth, and work independently in a regional role.