Student Recruitment Manager

Role Overview

The Student Recruitment Manager is responsible for leading and driving student recruitment strategies for SagePaths and its partner institutions. This role oversees market development, recruitment operations, and team performance to ensure sustainable growth in student enrolment for higher education pathways, undergraduate, and postgraduate programmes.

You will design and execute market-specific recruitment strategies, manage a high-performing recruitment team, strengthen institutional partnerships, and position SagePaths as a trusted and leading international education brand in China. The role requires strong market insight, strategic thinking, leadership capability, and deep understanding of Chinese student recruitment ecosystems.

Key Responsibilities

1. Recruitment Strategy & Market Development

• Develop and implement annual student recruitment strategies for the China market aligned with company growth targets.
• Identify new market opportunities, cities, schools, and channels to expand recruitment coverage.
• Monitor recruitment performance, forecast enrolment trends, and optimise conversion pipelines.

2. Team Leadership & Management

• Lead, coach, and manage the China recruitment team to achieve individual and team KPIs.
• Set clear targets, performance benchmarks, and professional development plans for team members.
• Foster a results-driven, ethical, and student-centred recruitment culture.

3. Brand Building & Marketing Collaboration

• Work closely with marketing and communications teams to localise campaigns, messaging, and promotional materials for the China market.
• Ensure consistency of brand positioning and messaging across online and offline platforms.
• Drive high-impact recruitment campaigns through digital marketing, exhibitions, school visits, webinars, and roadshows.

4. Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement

Build and maintain strong relationships with:

• Chinese high schools and international departments
• Education agents and sub-agents
• Overseas partner institutions
• Alumni, parents, and key opinion leaders (KOLs)
• Represent SagePaths at education fairs, partner meetings, and industry events.

5. Market Intelligence & Data Analysis

• Conduct regular competitor analysis and market research on student behaviour, pricing trends, and channel effectiveness.
• Analyse recruitment data to identify gaps, opportunities, and strategic adjustments.
• Provide management with market insights, forecasts, and performance reports.

6. Process Optimisation & Compliance

• Ensure recruitment processes comply with partner institution requirements and regulatory standards.
• Optimise CRM usage, admissions workflows, and data reporting systems.
• Uphold ethical recruitment practices and protect institutional reputation.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in any discipline; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 6 years of relevant experience, with at least 3 years in international student recruitment, higher education management, or education consultancy.
• Proven track record in managing recruitment teams and achieving enrolment targets in the China market.
• China education landscape and student decision-making behaviour
• Study abroad pathways and university admissions processes
• Digital recruitment channels (XHS, WeChat, Douyin, Bilibili, etc.)
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Highly analytical, data-driven, and commercially aware.
• Strong presentation and negotiation skills with schools, partners, and parents.
• Able to work under pressure, manage multiple projects, and meet tight timelines.
• Fluent in Mandarin and English (spoken and written).

Preferred Attributes

• Experience working with international universities or private education institutions.
• Strong network within China’s international education sector.
• Strategic mindset with hands-on execution ability.
• High level of professionalism, integrity, and accountability.