Business Development and Operations Manager

About Pickering Institute

Pickering Institute is a Singapore-based private education institution committed to providing quality education and student-centred learning support. As part of a growing education group with local and regional partnerships, Pickering Institute works closely with schools, education partners, and academic stakeholders to support students in their progression towards higher education.

We are seeking a proactive and commercially minded Business Development and Operations Manager to support student recruitment, partnership development, and day-to-day institutional operations.

About the Role

This is a hands-on role suitable for an adaptable and results-driven professional who is comfortable working across business development, student recruitment, operations, and partner coordination.

The successful candidate will support the growth of Pickering Institute by developing recruitment channels, maintaining partner relationships, assisting with admissions and student support processes, and ensuring smooth daily operations. The role requires strong communication skills, good organisational ability, and a practical understanding of how to convert business opportunities into enrolments and operational outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

Business Development and Student Recruitment

• Support the development of student recruitment channels, including education agencies, schools, training providers, and institutional partners.
• Identify and follow up on new business opportunities, recruitment leads, and partnership enquiries.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with local and overseas partners.
• Provide programme information, admissions updates, and recruitment support to partners and prospective students.
• Assist in achieving student enrolment, revenue, and partnership targets.
• Support recruitment activities such as education fairs, school visits, partner briefings, information sessions, and marketing events.
• Conduct basic market research and competitor monitoring to support business development planning.
• Prepare business development updates, partner reports, and recruitment progress summaries for management.

Operations and Administrative Coordination

• Support the daily operations of the Institute, including admissions coordination, student documentation, partner communication, and internal administrative processes.
• Coordinate with internal teams to ensure smooth communication between recruitment, admissions, marketing, academic operations, and student services.
• Assist in improving operational workflows, standard operating procedures, and service standards.
• Maintain accurate student, partner, and operational records.
• Support budgeting, vendor coordination, payment follow-up, and resource planning where required.
• Monitor operational issues and escalate matters to management in a timely and professional manner.

Partner and Stakeholder Management

• Act as a key contact point for recruitment partners, education agents, schools, and external stakeholders.
• Support partner onboarding, training, and regular communication.
• Ensure partners receive timely and accurate information on programmes, admissions requirements, fees, and application procedures.
• Represent the Institute professionally in meetings, events, and partner discussions.
• Work closely with management to strengthen existing partnerships and explore new collaboration opportunities.

Academic and Compliance Support

• Assist with academic operations, programme coordination, student records, and internal reporting.
• Support documentation and coordination for institutional quality assurance, compliance, audits, and regulatory-related matters.
• Work with academic and administrative teams to ensure that student and programme operations are properly supported.
• Assist in preparing reports, meeting notes, policy documents, and follow-up actions where required.
• Support the implementation of institutional policies, procedures, and service standards.

Team and Cross-Functional Coordination

• Coordinate with administrative, recruitment, admissions, and student support staff to ensure tasks are completed efficiently.
• Support a collaborative, responsive, and service-oriented working environment.
• Assist management in implementing operational improvements and business development initiatives.
• Contribute to a culture of professionalism, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Management, Education, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 3–5 years of relevant experience in business development, student recruitment, operations, sales, education services, or administrative management.
• Experience in private education, higher education, training, student recruitment, or education consultancy will be advantageous.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and relationship management skills.
• Commercially aware, target-driven, and able to follow through on business opportunities.
• Good organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks, partners, and deadlines.
• Able to work independently while coordinating effectively with internal teams.
• Practical, resourceful, responsible, and willing to be hands-on.
• Good written and spoken English; proficiency in Mandarin will be an advantage for communication with Chinese-speaking partners and students.
• Familiarity with Singapore’s private education sector, EduTrust, SSG/CPE requirements, or student admissions processes will be an advantage, but is not essential.

Preferred Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is someone who is commercially minded, hands-on, and comfortable working in a growing education institution. The candidate should be able to manage partner communication, support student recruitment, coordinate daily operations, and work closely with management to turn business opportunities into practical outcomes.

This role is suitable for candidates who are ready to take on managerial responsibilities, but who still enjoy hands-on execution and direct involvement in daily business development and operations work.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Pickering Institute is committed to fair employment practices and values diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds who share our commitment to quality education, professional integrity, and student success.