Company: Navitas
Job Type: Permanent, Full-Time
Location: Lagos, Nigeria
Experience Level: Manager/Supervisor
About Navitas
Navitas is a global education provider supporting more than 60,000 students each year through a network of partner institutions and learning opportunities. The organisation works to create pathways that help learners achieve their academic and career goals.
About the Role
Navitas is seeking a commercially driven and strategic International Market Development Manager to support the University of Plymouth’s recruitment growth across key African markets.
The successful candidate will drive enrolment growth, develop market expansion strategies, and build strategic relationships with educational agents, schools, universities, government bodies, scholarship sponsors, alumni, and other stakeholders. The role will also lead market development initiatives, strengthen the University’s profile, and support prospective students throughout the recruitment journey.
Key Responsibilities
Student Recruitment
- Develop and deliver annual student recruitment plans and enrolment targets across African markets.
- Drive undergraduate and postgraduate recruitment growth.
- Lead recruitment campaigns, exhibitions, webinars, school engagement activities, fairs, and partner events.
- Represent the University at government meetings and sector conferences.
- Monitor market trends, competitor activity, scholarships, policies, and other factors affecting recruitment.
Market Development
- Identify opportunities for growth and diversification in existing and emerging markets.
- Develop new academic partnership opportunities that support student recruitment.
- Support the University Head of International Partnerships/TNE and International Partnership team in developing TNE opportunities.
- Support articulation and progression opportunities for the University of Plymouth.
Stakeholder and Partnership Management
- Build and maintain relationships with educational agents, recruitment partners, schools, universities, scholarship bodies, ministries, and other stakeholders across Africa.
- Act as the University’s primary relationship manager for strategic partnerships.
- Ensure partnership compliance while maintaining strong stakeholder engagement.
- Gather and use market intelligence to identify recruitment opportunities.
Team Leadership and Management
- Provide day-to-day leadership and line management to Student Recruitment Coordinators and the Conversion Officer.
- Manage performance and staff development.
- Set clear objectives, performance measures, and development plans.
- Foster a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and customer-focused service.
- Manage resources and budgets effectively.
Conversion and Enrolment Management
- Oversee applicant conversion strategies across African markets.
- Lead targeted conversion campaigns and yield activities for offer holders.
- Work with admissions, marketing, and academic teams to improve conversion and enrolment rates.
- Monitor application pipelines and identify opportunities to improve conversion.
- Ensure high-quality communication with applicants throughout the recruitment cycle.
Data Analysis and Reporting
- Analyse recruitment performance, market trends, and enrolment outcomes.
- Produce reports, forecasts, and insights to support recruitment targets.
- Provide evidence-based recommendations for market development.
- Manage recruitment budgets and monitor ROI and KPIs.
- Ensure effective resource allocation and budget efficiency.
Cross-University Collaboration
- Work with academic faculties, schools, admissions, conversion, marketing, international partnerships, and student support teams.
- Support the development and implementation of the University’s strategy.
- Contribute to institutional projects, policy development, and strategic planning relating to international recruitment.
Qualifications and Experience
Essential
- Degree or equivalent professional qualification.
- Proven success in international student recruitment within higher education, including recruitment across diverse African markets.
- Experience developing and delivering recruitment strategies.
- Experience managing agents, recruitment partners, and stakeholder relationships.
- Demonstrated ability to lead high-performing teams and achieve recruitment and business development targets.
- Strong understanding of African education systems and student recruitment practices.
- Excellent relationship management, communication, presentation, analytical, and reporting skills.
- Proficiency in CRM systems and recruitment technologies.
- Strong planning, organisational, project management, and multitasking abilities.
- Willingness to travel regularly across target markets.
Desirable
- International qualification and experience within a UK higher education environment.
- Strong understanding of UKVI regulations and international admissions processes.
- Experience developing target-driven, customer-focused recruitment and sales teams.
- Experience using data to drive recruitment decisions and manage budgets.
- Established network of education stakeholders across Africa.
- Ability to work independently in a regional role.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should apply online through the Navitas careers platform.
Application Link: Apply for the International Market Development Manager position
Applicants must have full working rights in Nigeria and be available to start immediately or at short notice.
Application Closing Date
24 September 2026. Early applications are encouraged, as Navitas may appoint before the closing date.