Business Development Executive – Visiting Student Groups

Job Description

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

The University of Auckland's English Language Academy (ELA) is seeking a highly organised and proactive Business Development Executive to lead and manage our Visiting Student Group programme.

This is a crucial, multifaceted role focused on administration, recruitment, compliance, and student experience for international groups, predominantly from Japanese universities, who visit for short periods of time (usually 4 weeks) to gain language experience.

You will be the lead on student group visits within a supportive, close-knit team of five. This role is cyclical, shifting between busy periods of operational delivery, business development and strategic planning.

This position requires a unique blend of meticulous administrative skill and outgoing business development focus. You will be responsible for the end-to-end management and growth of the Visiting Student Group programme, including:

Administrative Coordination & Compliance - This is the operational core of the role, requiring high attention to detail.

• Logistics Management: coordinate student enrolment support, travel, and visa compliance.
• Compliance: Ensure all group programmes comply with the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students.
• Tactical Oversight: Maintain a focus on process accuracy to catch errors and prevent logistical failures (e.g., missed student pickups), ensuring smooth execution of four-week visiting periods.

Student & Stakeholder Engagement - You will be the primary contact for students and stakeholders, requiring strong interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity.

• Visit Hosting: Lead the hosting of visiting students, providing essential first point of contact support and problem-solving during their stay with host families.
• Relationship Management: Build and maintain strong relationships with internal staff, external universities and students, ensuring a quality customer service focus in all interactions.

Programme Growth & Business Development

You will secure the future pipeline of visiting student groups, particularly from overseas universities.

• Student Recruitment: Proactively engage with existing and new overseas universities (primarily in Japan) to build a relationship network and leverage recruitment opportunities.
• Proposal Writing: Prepare professional group proposals, contracts, and agreement documentation, and represent the ELA at promotional and recruitment events.
• Planning: Lead the planning, monitoring, and forecasting of international university group programmes for the Business Development team.

This is a full-time (37.5 hours per week), fixed-term position, expected to run for between 10 and 12 months. The salary range for this role is $75,000 to $85,000, negotiable depending on skills and experience.

A full description of your duties and the role are provided in the position description linked HERE.

He kōrero mōu | About you

You are an organised, analytical, and solutions-focused professional with proven expertise in high-volume coordination and administration. You must be comfortable managing multiple priorities across different time zones.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Experience in a business development, student recruitment, or similar role requiring a high level of coordination and administration.
• Experience in project management or coordination.
• Strong administrative and time management skills, including advanced proficiency in Excel and Word.
• Demonstrated ability in stakeholder and client engagement, with strong written and verbal communication.
• A Tertiary qualification (or equivalent experience) in Business, Marketing, or a related field.

Preferred Skills (Advantageous)

• Fluent Japanese or strong South Korean written and verbal language skills are a strong preference due to the focus of the programme.
• Knowledge or experience within the international education sector.
• Experience with budgets and proposal writing.

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What we offer

Waipapa Taumata Rau | The University of Auckland is New Zealand’s leading university. We employ more than 5400 academic and professional staff to support over 41,000 students, making us one of NZ’s largest employers.

We offer you the opportunity to join a dynamic, world-class institution in one of the world's most desirable cities.

We cultivate an environment that supports your growth and rewards hard work with a range of excellent benefits, including:

• Competitive salary and 5 weeks of annual leave.
• Superannuation/KiwiSaver matching up to 6.75%
• Flexible working arrangements, including working from home and adaptive hours.
• Leading and inclusive parental leave options.
• Career development programmes and discounted on-site amenities.

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply

Please submit your application online by the closing date of Sunday, 26 October 2025. Your application should include:

• A brief Cover Letter explaining why you're interested in this role and how your skills match the requirements.

Your updated CV.

For a confidential discussion, you are welcome to contact Kenneth Holt (BD & Partnerships Manager) at kenneth.holt@auckland.ac.nz

Additional Information

Equity

The University is committed to meeting its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and achieving equity outcomes for staff and students in a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment.  For further information on services for Māori, Pacific, women, LGBTQIATakatāpuiMVPFAFF+, people with disabilities, parenting support, flexible work and other personal circumstances go to www.equity.auckland.ac.nz