Program Officer supporting the University of Auckland, New Zealand

Grok is looking for a talented professional based in Bangalore, India, to support the University of Auckland’s activities across India and South Asia.

Location: Bangalore, India

About Grok Global Services

Founded in 2005, Grok Global Services is a best-in-class provider of international engagement services for higher education institutions. By joining our team, you will be working in a supportive environment full of likeminded professionals, each committed to advancing the internationalization of higher education institutions from around the world.

A pioneer of in-country staffing in the international education sector, Grok remains at the forefront of this model and currently delivers this service across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas. The company also boasts industry-leading divisions in digital marketing and strategic consulting.

About the University of Auckland

Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, is Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest and leading university. It is ranked 65th in the world by QS and in the top 2% globally for Sustainability. Based in cosmopolitan Auckland, 49,000 students are enrolled in programmes across its six faculties and 60- plus research centres, including two large-scale research institutes – the Liggins Institute and Auckland Bioengineering Institute. Each year, there are more than 10,000 international students from over 110 countries studying offshore and on campus.

About the Role

The ideal candidate has experience working in the international education industry, with a background in student outreach and engagement. They will be a proactive, data-driven, and results- oriented professional with strong communication skills, emotional maturity and the ability to build trusted partnerships.

The role will be based in India and primarily focus on market engagement and development activities undertaken locally. Limited international travel may occasionally be required, subject to business requirements and prior approval. Responsibilities include visiting and training agent and pathway partners, cultivating relationships with high school counsellors, university partners, and students. Other responsibilities include providing data-led market insights and identifying growth opportunities. The position involves frequent, sophisticated interaction with administration and faculty from the university, as well as local stakeholders (e.g. Education New Zealand, agents and partners), and significant travel time is required (40-50%).

Responsibilities

• Develop detailed knowledge of the University of Auckland, its programs, admission requirements and application procedures/processes.


• Support and contribute to the University’s objectives through market development and in-market engagement activities.


• Understanding of the University’s TNE, Diversification and Sustainability strategies.


• Maintain detailed knowledge about the education system in New Zealand.


• Engage professionally and in a manner that is in keeping with the values, policies and guidelines of New Zealand’s leading education brand.


• Promote the University and its programs to prospective students.


• Plan and organize stakeholder outreach and engagement activities for prospective students, their parents and counsellors.


• Conduct presentations at high schools, colleges, fairs, conferences and other events.


• Liaise with applicants throughout the admission process to ensure they are supported and well-informed.


• Assist with University of Auckland’s brand presence and messaging in the region (marketing communications, websites and social media) to a high standard.

• Support promotion campaigns including targeted promotion of scholarships.


• Interact with and support faculty and other senior leadership at the University of Auckland, including visits by delegations.


• Prepare regular activity reports, highlighting data-informed opportunities, challenges, and solutions.


• Keep abreast with market developments and provide regular data- market informed market intelligence and insights (including competitors) to inform the University's engagement in the market.


• Assist the evaluation of University of Auckland programs, attributes and activities, with recommendations for improvement that are realistic, underpinned by data, well informed by market norms, and that address the University of Auckland’s priorities.


• Support TNE, Study Abroad and Student Exchange initiatives.


• Collaborate with and support Pathway partners.


• Willingness to work towards agreed activity plans and performance expectations aligned with the role objectives.


• Service an extensive network of education agents to a high level of complexity and performance by:

1. Providing training to new agents


2. Liaising with existing agents on a regular basis to maximise performance


3. Attending agent fairs/events (online and in-person) 


4. Maximising conversion

The Most Suitable Background

• Demonstrated capability in using data and digital tools (e.g. CRM systems) to interpret information and inform decision-making.


• Bachelor’s degree with strong academic performance.


• 3+ years of experience in increasingly responsible roles related to the international education industry, including student engagement and marketing.


• Experience representing a known higher education institution is a plus.


• Knowledge of New Zealand and its Higher Education system is an advantage.


• Proven business development and relationship management experience in international education.


• Strong English fluency. Proficient in business writing. Able to discuss strategy and analysis with English speakers.


• Study or other experience living abroad is preferred with a strong preference for New Zealand.


• Voluntary or other life experience that demonstrates creativity, hard work, persistence or drive to succeed.

The Most Important Traits to Succeed

• Customer sensitivity and ability to build and maintain strong partnerships.


• Strong communication skills and ability to influence others.


• Analytical and strategic skills – able to analyse data, evaluate issues and make recommendations.


• Good judgment, internal moral compass.


• Attention to detail and ability to multitask a balanced agenda and comprehensive portfolio.


• Emotional maturity and confidence.


• Proactive, resourceful and collaborative.


• Self-motivated and results driven.


• Ability and willingness to work a flexible, adjustable schedule, including occasional evenings and weekends to accommodate cross-time zone collaboration and support in-market partner needs.


• Requires strong self-management skills to successfully balance professional deliverables with personal time within a flexible work environment.