Senior Manager of Operations and University Relationships (New Zealand)

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">This position is with&nbsp;<a href="https://apc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kaaiser.com%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Croly.srivastava%40cialfo.com.sg%7C093eef8f46984aeb8bda08de4d14374d%7Cd8b4cc31c1684e84a073c0ed27ab9fbd%7C0%7C0%7C639032946386897294%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=ua9S4xyI2X%2BuIR8bZsGyQSXqd6FSlCfMZJB7AvGNLyg%3D&amp;reserved=0">Kaaiser</a>, one of the brands under&nbsp;<a href="https://apc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.manifest.inc%2Fhouse-of-brands&amp;data=05%7C02%7Croly.srivastava%40cialfo.com.sg%7C093eef8f46984aeb8bda08de4d14374d%7Cd8b4cc31c1684e84a073c0ed27ab9fbd%7C0%7C0%7C639032946386924176%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=MHOdjOJPUMC7PFXzWXos3EDkJiBCD8IlRhKZWr0sqR4%3D&amp;reserved=0">Manifest Global</a>, which also includes&nbsp;<strong>Cialfo</strong>,&nbsp;<strong>BridgeU</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>Explore</strong>.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>About This Role</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">We are hiring a <strong>Senior Manager of Operations and</strong> <strong>University Relationships</strong> to own operations and grow University Partnerships.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a senior, high-impact role for someone who operates comfortably with university leadership, understands the commercial and strategic drivers of international recruitment, and can turn strong relationships into measurable, long-term value.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The role goes beyond relationship management. You will act as a strategic partner, commercial negotiator, and long-term relationship owner, ensuring partnerships are:</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">High-performing today</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Strategically aligned for the future</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Commercially strong and defensible</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Role Objective</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">To&nbsp;<strong>build and scale the New Zealand vertical</strong>&nbsp;by:</span> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Establishing a&nbsp;<strong>robust end-to-end operations system</strong>&nbsp;(Application → Visa → Enrolment)</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Securing and managing&nbsp;<strong>direct university partnerships in New Zealand</strong></span></li> </ul> </li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">This role is a <strong>business-building mandate</strong>, not just operational oversight.</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>What Success Looks Like</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">A&nbsp;<strong>fully functional NZ operations engine</strong>&nbsp;with high visa success rates</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Strong portfolio of&nbsp;<strong>direct university partnerships</strong></span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">NZ&nbsp;established&nbsp;as a&nbsp;<strong>revenue-generating vertical for Kaaiser</strong></span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Key Responsibilities</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>1. Operations Setup &amp; Management (Application → Visa)</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Design and implement&nbsp;<strong>end-to-end processing workflows</strong>&nbsp;for NZ applications</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Establish&nbsp;<strong>SOPs, timelines (TATs), and quality benchmarks</strong></span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Oversee:</span> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Application submissions</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Offer follow-ups</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Visa documentation and filing</span></li> </ul> </li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Ensure&nbsp;<strong>high visa success rate and compliance adherence</strong></span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Build and train a&nbsp;<strong>dedicated NZ processing team</strong></span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>2. University Partnerships &amp; Business Development</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Identify&nbsp;and prioritise&nbsp;<strong>target universities and institutes in New Zealand</strong></span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Build relationships with:</span> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">International offices</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Regional managers</span></li> </ul> </li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Negotiate and secure&nbsp;<strong>partnership agreements / MOUs</strong></span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Drive towards&nbsp;<strong>preferred / direct partner status</strong></span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Maintain ongoing engagement to increase&nbsp;<strong>application and enrolment volumes</strong></span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>3. Market Development (India → NZ)</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Define and execute&nbsp;<strong>India market strategy for New Zealand</strong></span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Enable B2B teams with:</span> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">NZ-specific product knowledge</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Visa and admission insights</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Support positioning of NZ as&nbsp;a&nbsp;<strong>viable&nbsp;and attractive destination</strong></span></li> </ul> </li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>4. Conversion &amp; Product Ownership</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Ensure clarity on:</span> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Course offerings</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Entry requirements</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Visa regulations</span></li> </ul> </li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Improve:</span> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Application quality</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Offer conversion</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Visa success rates</span></li> </ul> </li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>5. Stakeholder Management</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Act as&nbsp;<strong>single point of contact</strong>&nbsp;for NZ universities</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Collaborate with internal:</span> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Sales teams</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Operations teams</span></li> </ul> </li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Build a strong&nbsp;<strong>feedback loop</strong>&nbsp;between universities, agents, and internal teams</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Operations</strong></span> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Application → Offer conversion ratio</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Offer → Visa → Enrolment conversion</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Visa success rate (<strong>target: 90%+</strong>)</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">TAT adherence and processing efficiency</span></li> </ul> </li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Partnerships</strong></span> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Number of&nbsp;<strong>university contracts signed</strong></span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Active partnerships generating applications/enrolments</span></li> </ul> </li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Business Growth</strong></span> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Number of NZ applications and enrolments</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Agent activation for NZ</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Revenue contribution from NZ vertical</span></li> </ul> </li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Candidate Profile</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">8–10 years of experience in&nbsp;<strong>international education</strong></span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Managerial experience in Operations &amp; University relations for&nbsp;NZ&nbsp;study destination</strong></span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Strong understanding of:</span> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">NZ admission processes</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Visa frameworks</span></li> </ul> </li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Proven&nbsp;track record&nbsp;in:</span> <ul> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>University relationship management</strong></span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Operations setup or scaling</strong></span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Strong stakeholder management and negotiation skills</span></li> <li style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Ability to&nbsp;<strong>build processes from scratch and scale them</strong></span></li> </ul> </li> </ul> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Please note this role follows 5.5 days work week from the Delhi Office</strong></span></p>