Manager, Future Students at Heriot-Watt University

, , Malaysia -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

22 Dec, 25

Salary

0.0

Posted On

23 Sep, 25

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Recruitment Strategy, Marketing Campaigns, Customer Service, Team Leadership, Data Analysis, Interpersonal Skills, Communication Skills, Organizational Skills, Performance Management, Partnership Management, Event Coordination, CRM Systems, Analytical Thinking, Proactive Approach, Sales Management, Conflict Resolution

Industry

Architecture and Planning

Description

The Future Students Manager is responsible for leading recruitment, outreach, and engagement strategies to attract and enrol both domestic and international students at HWUM. This role oversees end-to-end student recruitment operations, manages agency and school partnerships, and ensures the Future Students Team achieves enrolment targets through strategic planning, effective marketing, and outstanding customer service. The Marketing, Recruitment, Admissions and Communications (MRAC) Department is seeking a Manager, Future Students to join the team. As the first point of contact for prospective students, the Future Students team plays a pivotal role in shaping student experiences and driving enrolment success. In this role, you will lead both the domestic school outreach team and the international student recruitment team. You will be responsible for planning, strategizing, and executing nurturing events across public, private, and international schools to build a strong pipeline of prospective students. The post holder will also be tasked with developing and executing activities to achieve student recruitment targets for both international and domestic markets. A key responsibility of this role includes managing and strengthening partnerships with recruitment agents, expanding the agent portfolio locally and internationally, and driving growth in existing and emerging target markets. Key Duties and Responsibilities 1. Recruitment & Marketing Strategy Develop, plan, and manage recruitment strategies to attract international and domestic students, aligned with HWUM’s institutional goals. Design and implement marketing campaigns (digital, print, events) in collaboration with the Marketing & Campaigns team. Coordinate outreach activities including school visits, open days, expos, and virtual events to strengthen HWUM’s brand presence. Cultivate relationships with high school counsellors, agents, partner institutions, and articulation pathway providers. Leverage social media and digital platforms to actively engage and attract prospective students. 2. Student Services & Relations Oversee the future student journey from initial inquiry to enrolment, ensuring an exceptional customer experience for students and families. Supervise a team handling student inquiries, applications, and admissions, ensuring timely and accurate follow-up. Collaborate with internal teams to coordinate orientation programmes and onboarding support for new students. Act as a liaison for international students, including support with visa applications, compliance, and settling-in processes. 3. Recruitment Operations & Performance Lead and monitor Education Consultants, setting clear KPIs and tracking performance by intake cycle. Establish and monitor sales objectives, including lead generation, conversion, and enrolment targets. Use CRM systems for territory management, event tracking, and lead management to support data-driven decision-making. Regularly analyse recruitment data (conversion rates, market insights, competitor activities) to optimize strategies. Prepare and present progress reports to senior management. 4. Partnerships & Agent Management Develop, appoint, and manage recruitment agents in Malaysia and overseas, including performance reviews and training. Work with regional representatives to coordinate recruitment strategies and maximize market reach. Identify and pursue new markets and opportunities based on industry developments and trends. 5. Academic Collaboration & Engagement Programmes Partner with academic teams to design nurturing and engaging programmes for campus visits, workshops, and virtual sessions. Support the delivery of impactful student experiences that build strong connections with HWUM. 6. Team Leadership & Development Lead, motivate, and develop the Future Students Team, including recruitment officers, administrative staff, and student ambassadors. Provide coaching, training, and performance management to strengthen team capabilities. Delegate responsibilities effectively, recognize achievements, and foster a culture of accountability and excellence. Manage budgets for marketing and recruitment activities to ensure cost-effective operations. All HWUM staff endeavours will embody our shared values of: Inspire, Collaborate, Belong, and Celebrate. Please note that this job description is not exhaustive, and the role holder may be required to undertake other relevant duties commensurate with the grading of the post and its general responsibilities. Activities may be subject to amendment over time as the role develops and/or priorities and requirements evolve. Person Specification Education & Qualifications Essential Must have a degree – preferably in marketing, communications, business, administration or relevant professional qualifications 2. Experience Essential A minimum of 5 years’ experience in a student recruitment environment. Proven experience in leading teams and engaging stakeholders to deliver effective and efficient Domestic and International recruitment strategies. Experienced in managing external agencies to enhance and supplement recruitment activities. Desirable Strong record of success in goal-driven roles CRM experience/training to manage sales pipeline. Proficient in data analysis, performance reporting, and executing strategic initiatives Familiarity with international student markets and regional recruitment trends. 3. Competencies, Skills & Knowledge Essential Strong Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrable and well-developed interpersonal skills; comfortable engaging directly with suppliers, agents, and prospective students. Proven track record in building productive relationships with clients, partners, and suppliers. Excellent Communication Skills: Exceptional written and verbal communication abilities, with a professional tone suitable for handling complex enquiries. Specifically: A very high standard of written English, with demonstrable ability to prepare clear, concise, and professional reports. Organisational and Team Management Skills: Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage self and others effectively to deliver high-quality, efficient professional services. Able to make independent decisions affecting day-to-day operations while involving relevant stakeholders as needed. Experienced in managing and motivating teams to achieve recruitment objectives. Proactive and Adaptable Flexible, proactive, detail-oriented, and self-motivated. Able to maintain high performance under pressure and meet tight deadlines, employing appropriate coping strategies to sustain personal wellbeing. Professional Presentation Able to present a professional image and communicate confidently with a broad range of individuals, from prospective students and parents to senior managers and external stakeholders. Analytical and Strategic Thinking Strong analytical skills, capable of interpreting data, evaluating reports, presenting findings, and generating actionable insights to inform recruitment strategies. Collaborative Approach Proactively builds relationships and networks across teams, both within the HWUM campus and across the HWU Group, to drive shared objectives. Result- Oriented Takes prompt, proactive action to accomplish objectives and deliver outcomes efficiently. Desirable Strong Selling and Counselling capabilities Strong Customer Service experience Familiar with Sales Tools, Processes and Technological development and management. Familiar with Higher Education products customer profiling and competitor profiling. COMPETENCIES (BEHAVIOURAL) Strong AMP: Attitude: Value-driven with strong work ethics. Motivation: Highly self-motivated with a focus on achieving results. Passion: Committed to the broader purpose of higher education and its impact on society. Sales Driven: Results-oriented with a passion for delivering outcomes through effective sales methodologies and a culture of excellence. Excellent Communication & Presentation: Skilled in communication, presentation, counselling, and people management. Team Player: Collaborative, with experience working across levels in complex organisations to achieve shared goals. Conflict Management: Capable of identifying and resolving conflicts fairly and efficiently. Project Management: Strong planning and monitoring skills to lead and deliver successful projects. Willing to work beyond normal working hours and during weekends. Essential Criteria – these are attributes without which a candidate would not be able to undertake the full remit of the role. Applicants who do not clearly demonstrate in their application that they possess the essential requirements will normally be eliminated at the short-listing stage. Desirable Criteria – these are attributes which would be useful for the candidate to hold. When shortlisting, these criteria will be considered when more than one applicant meets the essential criteria. Other Relevant Information We aim to hold interviews at the Malaysia Campus in Putrajaya on the week of 31 October 2025 For more information about Malaysia Campus, please visit http://www.hw.edu.my. For information about Purpose-Driven Education, please see our website: https://www.hw.ac.uk/malaysia/about/purpose-driven-education.htm Application Process Applications should be submitted to Careers system. Applications must be submitted by 17 October 2025. If you are not contacted by the selection committee by 31 October 2025, then please assume that on this occasion your application has been unsuccessful. The University is committed to equality of opportunity.

Responsibilities

The Future Students Manager leads recruitment, outreach, and engagement strategies to attract and enroll domestic and international students. This role oversees student recruitment operations, manages partnerships, and ensures the team meets enrollment targets through strategic planning and marketing.