Director, China supporting Deakin University, Australia

Grok is looking for a talented professional based in Beijing to support Deakin University’s activities across Greater China.

Position Purpose

The Director, Deakin China is a senior leadership role within Deakin International, responsible for leading Deakin University's strategic engagement across mainland China.

The position provides leadership for international student recruitment, government and stakeholder engagement, transnational education (TNE) opportunities, institutional partnerships and market development to advance Deakin's strategic objectives in China.

Working closely with Faculties and divisions across the University, the Director develops and implements integrated market strategies that strengthen Deakin's reputation, grow sustainable student recruitment, expand strategic partnerships and position the University as a leading Australian institution in China.

The Director leads a geographically dispersed team across four offices in mainland China and is responsible for ensuring high levels of staff engagement, operational excellence, compliance and financial performance.

About Grok Global Services

Founded in 2005, Grok Global Services is a best-in-class provider of international engagement services for higher education institutions. By joining our team, you will be working in a supportive environment full of like-minded professionals, each committed to advancing the internationalization of higher education institutions from around the world. A pioneer of in-country staffing in the international education sector, Grok remains at the forefront of this model and currently delivers this service across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas. The company also boasts industry-leading divisions in digital marketing and strategic consulting.

About Deakin

Deakin is a Victorian university with a global impact. We are agile and innovative, and committed to making a positive impact through our excellence in education and research and the contributions we make to the wider community.

Our reputation has been built on the dedication and expertise of our staff. We offer a dynamic, diverse and inclusive working environment with opportunities to grow and develop careers. We believe that a progressive, thriving culture will ensure people choose to come, and stay at Deakin and contribute to our ongoing success.

As one of Australia’s largest universities, Deakin has strong global linkages, world-class research and an education portfolio that blends the best of campus and digital delivery into a highly supportive and personalised student experience.

We offer outstanding education founded on the experience we create for our learners and guided by graduate outcomes for successful lives and careers. We undertake globally significant discovery research that benefits our communities through the innovative translation of our ideas into new services, products, policies and capabilities.

Deakin aspires to be Australia's most progressive university, with the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion underpinning our approach to education, research, employability, digital delivery, innovation, and partnerships for impact. Our vision is for an inclusive environment where we value and celebrate diversity, embrace difference and nurture a connected, safe and respectful community. We want Deakin to be a place where all staff and students feel included and respected for their unique perspectives and talents.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the development and implementation of Deakin's China strategy aligning recruitment, partnerships and stakeholder engagement with the University's international objectives.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with Chinese government agencies, Australian and Victorian government representation in China, peak bodies and key influencers.
• Position Deakin as a leading Australian university through proactive engagement with government agencies, industry, partner institutions and key education stakeholders.
• Represent Deakin University at major education, government and industry events.
• Provide strategic advice on government policy, regulatory developments and political considerations affecting Deakin's activities in China.
• Promote Deakin's profile through strategic engagement activities that strengthen institutional reputation.

• Identify emerging opportunities and risks within the Chinese education sector and provide strategic advice to University leadership.
• Identify opportunities for and coordinate strategic inbound visits by senior University leaders, Deakin International and Faculty representatives, developing programs that maximise engagement with government, partner institutions, agents, industry and other key stakeholders to advance Deakin's strategic objectives in China.
• Position Deakin as a leading Australian university through proactive engagement with government agencies, industry, partner institutions and key education stakeholders.
• Lead the University's strategic response to policy, regulatory and market developments impacting recruitment and partnerships.
• Provide regular reports to Deakin International leadership on topics such as market trends, government policy developments, risks and opportunities etc

International Student Recruitment

• Develop and implement the annual China Recruitment Plan and associated operating budget.
• Lead the delivery of recruitment and conversion strategies to achieve agreed enrolment targets.
• Drive sustainable growth through market diversification, across all recruitment channels (agent, school, pathways) and innovative recruitment initiatives.
• Develop recruitment strategies based on market intelligence, competitor analysis and student demand.

• Lead the strategic management of Deakin's recruitment agent network across mainland China, monitor agent performance and ensure that they operate in accordance with University policies, the ESOS Act and the National Code.

• Monitor recruitment performance and recommend initiatives to improve conversion and enrolment outcomes.

Partnership Development

• Identify, establish and strengthen strategic partnerships with universities, government agencies, schools, industry organisations and other key stakeholders to advance Deakin's strategic objectives in China.
• Support the identification, development and management of transnational education (TNE) opportunities in partnership in collaboration with the International Strategy and Partnerships team.
• Develop and manage annual engagement plans for key partnerships, in collaboration with the International Strategy and Partnerships team, ensuring measurable student transfers and conversion outcomes.
• Maintain senior-level relationships with partner institutions and external stakeholders to create opportunities for collaboration across teaching, research, student mobility, employability and executive education.
• Facilitate partnership reviews and governance processes, ensuring strategic partnerships remain active, mutually beneficial and aligned with institutional priorities.
• Monitor partnership performance and prepare reports, recommendations and business cases to support future investment and growth opportunities.
  

Leadership and People Management

• Lead, mentor and develop a high-performing team across multiple locations in mainland China.
• Establish clear performance expectations and support staff development through coaching, mentoring and performance planning.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive and high-performance culture aligned with Deakin's values.
• Ensure employment practices comply with Grok and University policies.
• Ensure staff have access to the development opportunities and skills required to effectively manage their responsibilities.

The Most Suitable Background

• Bachelor’s degree or above, with a strong academic background.
• 7+ years of progressively responsible experience in international education or higher education, ideally covering student recruitment, partnership development, stakeholder engagement and market strategy.
• Strong understanding of the China international education market, including student recruitment channels, agent networks, market trends and the regulatory environment.
• Proven experience developing and implementing recruitment and market strategies, with a track record of delivering sustainable growth and achieving enrolment targets.
• Demonstrated experience building and managing senior-level relationships with universities, government agencies, education partners, agents, industry organisations and other key stakeholders.
• Proven business development and partnership management experience, with the ability to identify and develop new strategic opportunities.
• Previous experience representing a recognised international higher education institution is highly desirable, with experience working with an Australian university considered an advantage.
• Strong leadership and people management experience, with the ability to lead, motivate and develop a high-performing team across multiple locations.
• Excellent English and Mandarin communication skills, including strong business writing, presentation and negotiation skills.
• International study, work or other significant overseas experience is preferred.
• Ability and willingness to travel regularly within China and internationally as required.

Most Important Traits to Succeed

• Strategic mindset with the ability to see the bigger picture while translating strategy into practical actions and measurable outcomes.
• Strong stakeholder sensitivity and relationship-building skills, with the confidence to engage and influence senior internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and influencing skills across different cultural and organisational environments.
• Strong analytical and commercial judgement, with the ability to interpret data, assess market developments and make well-informed recommendations.
• Sound judgement, integrity and the ability to navigate complex or sensitive stakeholder and organisational matters.
• Proactive, resourceful and solutions-focused, with the ability to identify opportunities and respond effectively to changing market conditions.
• Collaborative and culturally sensitive, with the ability to work effectively across Deakin, Grok and external stakeholder groups.
• Highly self-motivated and results-driven, with strong ownership and accountability.
• Strong organisational and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage a broad portfolio of recruitment, partnership and stakeholder priorities.
• Strong self-management skills, with the ability to balance competing priorities and deliver consistently in a flexible working environment.