Assistant Director, Marketing and Recruitment

Company background

INTO Washington State University (INTO WSU) is a joint venture between Washington State University and INTO University Partnerships. INTO WSU’s unique programs for international students provide tailored academic and English language instruction coupled with a highly supportive learning environment that supports adjustment to life in the U.S. and long-term academic success.

Washington State University is an innovative, entrepreneurial institution with national distinction in both academics and research. Rooted in WSU’s diversity is a campus culture that is both rewarding and exciting, work that is meaningful, and opportunities to both collaborate and create. INTO is an organization working in partnership with leading universities and investing in the development of world class international student centers. Each INTO center is managed by a board in which INTO and the partner university are equal shareholders. Since 2006, INTO has successfully launched partnerships with universities in the United Kingdom, United States and Asia.

Job overview

The individual in this position oversees the successful recruitment of eligible students to Washington State University via direct-entry or through INTO WSU, and s/he is responsible for maintaining ethical recruitment standards, representing the University's and INTO North America’s interests.  The individual in this role is also expected to continuously strive to improve operational systems, processes and policies in support of WSU’S internationalization goals as they relate to the recruitment and admission of international students.

Further, the individual in this position, in alignment and/or jointly with WSU, will lead the strategic planning for and execution of international recruitment and marketing plan to drive international student enrollment to WSU and the INTO WSU programs. This individual will be charged with developing and executing a comprehensive recruitment and marketing plan targeted at building brand recognition in key markets across the world thereby driving demand from students seeking educational experiences in the U.S. 

The key metrics of success for this role will be measured by meeting the international enrollment targets developed through the INTO WSU strategic plan and the INTO WSU partnership. This position will utilize an extensive network of on- and off-campus resources including alumni, government organizations, institutional partners, key faculty contacts, INTO’s global recruitment network as well as INTO’s regional offices to assist in this effort. This position will work closely with the University’s Office of International Programs and International Admissions, the INTO WSU Executive Director; and the INTO North America VP of Recruitment and VP of Marketing to develop the strategy and to drive recruitment of international students for WSU and INTO WSU.

Reporting line

This position will report directly to the INTO WSU Executive Director, with an operational reporting line to the INTO North America Director of Recruitment Strategy, Partner Initiatives.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

This is a valued role in a growing, dynamic organization, so the responsibilities of this position may change and develop over time, but will include the following:

• Develop a comprehensive recruitment and marketing plan which includes participation in global recruitment activities such as exhibitions, seminars, alumni events, etc. to build the WSU brand globally and drive international enrollments across all programs.
• Establish country-by-country strategies in coordination with INTO regional offices to reach recruitment goals in particular countries and regions.
• Develop best practices for WSU and INTO WSU international recruitment and actively work to promote a diverse international student population.
• Contribute to the recruitment of direct-entry students to WSU through the various channels and serve as primary point of contact to answer questions from Regional Office, INTO Direct Entry team and agents as well as develop and improve processes to support INTO WSU participation in the direct entry initiative at WSU. More specifically, this will include (but not limited to):
• Working closely with WSU to support the overall university strategy for international student recruitment, but also attending and managing the needs of those that are INTO-sourced students.
• Fielding questions from the regions in connection to WSU
• Supporting/Developing marketing strategies of WSU in connection to the recruitment of direct-entry students.

Use analytical methods to identify recruitment and advertising opportunities and frequently update appropriate staff with regards to progress towards goals and centers enrollment numbers.

• Responsibility for the line management of the Marketing and Communications Specialist (MCS). With that manage and oversee the MCS during the annual brochure production process to ensure accuracy in representing INTO WSU and university programs/services
• Responsibility for the joint management (with the China team) of the WSU representative in China.
• Travel extensively throughout the world to promote WSU and its academic and language programs. Support recruitment efforts by INTO University Partnerships’ regional offices.
• Manage the center’s annual marketing and recruitment budget and provide regular reports showing progress against recruitment goals.
• Cultivate and maintain solid, loyal relationships with US-focused recruitment channels including education counsellors, government organizations and sponsoring organizations, feeder institutions, articulation partners, etc.
• Provide on-going training, support and detailed program knowledge to external marketing and recruitment partners. Support global partners at promotional events in order to accurately represent WSU program offerings.
• Act as primary contact point and resource of in-depth knowledge for INTO’s regional offices regarding all facets of WSU and INTO WSU
• Provide on-going training, updates and support to IUP’s regional office staff and global recruitment network.
• Manage INTO WSU scholarships and the scholarship budget.
• Collaborate with INTO North America’s Marketing Communications staff and Recruitment Directors in the development of recruitment marketing materials and tools to drive enrollment to WSU
• Identify new product opportunities.
• Work closely with the WSU International Admissions team to ensure that accurate information about programs, requirements and admissions processes are communicated to potential applicants and IUP Regional offices.
• Manage and execute a conversion strategy to maximize enrollment yield and mitigate melt, working with INTO North America and regional offices to follow up on offer holders and prepare confirmed students for arrival and orientation.
• Work with faculty, staff, and organizations across the WSU campus to develop an international recruitment plan by collaborating on recruitment travel, events and activities together.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Minimum:

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in marketing, communications, business international relations, or related area
• 3 years of experience recruiting international students to attend academic and/or other programs in a US setting
• Strong oral/written communication and interpersonal skills, and high degree of professionalism
• Experience developing and implementing a high-level recruitment and marketing plan
• Ability to implement new services and programs while maintaining existing services and programs
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex projects to completion
• At least 3 years of experience managing teams or individuals
• Demonstrated administrative experience including budget and financial management processes, public relations, strategic planning, policy formation, and supervision
• Highly collaborative; proven record of results-based leadership
• Proficiency in working with information systems
• Experience in a leadership role within a fast-paced environment
• Solid / effective staff management skills
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills
• Demonstrated ability to handle difficult or sensitive situations
• Eligibility to work in and travel freely to and from the U.S. and INTO University Partnership’s Global Office’s and locations

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree
• Experience working in a US university setting
• Experience living, working or studying outside of the U.S.
• Experience with Sales Force or equivalent CRM/database system
• Demonstrated skills in planning, prioritizing, and leading central initiatives
• Experience with public/private partnerships
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing diversity and equity

Key Metrics of Success

The key metrics of success for this role will be measured by:

• Meeting the international enrollment targets established for the recruitment of international student to WSU and INTO WSU
• Managing the marketing and recruitment budget
• Managing the scholarship budget effectively
• Successfully raising the brand of WSU through high-quality, targeted marketing
• Leading and maximizing the performance of the INTO WSU marketing and recruitment team

Location

This position is based at the Washington State University, Pullman campus.  Candidates must be eligible to work in the U.S., no sponsorship is offered.

How to Apply

To be considered for this position, please click the link below to submit the following in PDF format in one single document:

1. Cover Letter
2. Resume
3. Three letters of professional references with full contact information (phone numbers and email addresses).

LINK:

https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=784f8d56-cd0b-4d3e-a1ac-d483f8f0a37e&ccId=19000101_000001&jobId=292587&source=CC2&lang=en_US

NOTE: ONLY COMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED.

Application Deadline:  July 31, 2019

INTO University Partnerships provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. INTO University Partnerships complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.