Program Officer supporting the University of Auckland, New Zealand - Remote in the USA

Location: Remote in the USA

Grok is looking for a talented professional based in USA, to support the University of Auckland’s activities across North America. This is a remote, work-from-home position, with frequent travel across the USA and Canada required.

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 the University of Auckland 

Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland, is Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest and leading university. It is ranked 65th in the world by QS and in the top 2% globally for Sustainability. Based in cosmopolitan Auckland, 49,000 students are enrolled in programmes across its six faculties and 60-plus research centres, including two large-scale research institutes – the Liggins Institute and Auckland Bioengineering Institute. Each year, there are more than 10,000 international students from over 110 countries studying offshore and on campus.

Overview

The ideal candidate has experience working in the international education industry, with a background in international student outreach and engagement, particularly focusing on study abroad, short courses and student exchange, alongside full degree programme. They will be a proactive and driven individual with strong communication skills, emotional maturity and the ability to build trusted partnerships.

The role will primarily focus on engagement activities across North America, including visiting local university partners, attending fairs and events and engaging directly with students.

Other responsibilities include maintaining a strong understanding of the local study abroad market and providing data-led market-based data insights. The position involves frequent, sophisticated interaction with administration and faculty from the university, as well as local stakeholders (e.g. Education New Zealand and local US institutional partners), and significant travel time is required (40-50%).

Detailed responsibilities 

• Develop detailed knowledge of the University of Auckland, its programs, admission requirements and application procedures/processes. 
• Support and contribute to the University’s objectives through market development and in-market engagement activities targeting full degree, study abroad, exchange and mobility students
• Understanding of the University’s TNE, Diversification and Sustainability strategies. 
• Maintain detailed knowledge about the education system in New Zealand. 
• Engage professionally and in a manner that is in keeping with the values, policies and guidelines of New Zealand’s leading education brand.
• Promote the University and its programs to prospective students. 
• Attend student abroad and student exchange fairs and events.
• Conduct presentations at institution partners, industry fairs, conferences and other events. 
• Liaise with applicants throughout the admission process to ensure they are supported and well-informed.
• Assist with University of Auckland’s brand presence and messaging in the region (marketing communications, websites and social media) to a high standard. 
• Interact with and support faculty and other senior leadership at the University of Auckland, including visits by delegations. 
• Prepare regular activity reports, highlighting data-informed opportunities, challenges, and solutions. 
• Keep abreast with market developments and provide regular data-informed market intelligence and insights (including competitors) to inform the University's engagement in the market.
• Willingness to work towards agreed activity plans and performance expectations aligned with the role objectives.

Person Specification 

The Most Suitable Background 

• Demonstrated capability in using data and digital tools (e.g. CRM systems) to interpret information and inform decision‑making.

• Bachelor’s degree with strong academic performance.
• 3+ years of experience in the international education industry, preferably with student exchange, study abroad and short courses.
• Experience representing a known higher education institution is a plus. 
• Knowledge of New Zealand and its Higher Education system is an advantage.
• Relationship management experience in international education.
• Study or other experience living abroad is preferred with a strong preference for New Zealand. 
• Voluntary or other life experience that demonstrates creativity, hard work, persistence or drive to succeed. 
• Strong data literacy and proficiency with digital tools (including CRM platforms), with the ability to translate data into actionable insights and inform decision-making.
• Able to travel across the US and Canada.

Most important traits to succeed 

• Customer sensitivity and ability to build and maintain strong partnerships.
• Strong communication skills: ability to engage and influence others.
• Good judgment, internal moral compass.
• Attention to detail and ability to multitask a balanced agenda.
• Emotional maturity and confidence.
• Proactive and resourceful.
• Hard-working, self-motivated and results driven.
• Analytical and strategic skills – able to analyse data, evaluate issues and make recommendations. 
• Customer sensitivity and strategic partnership mindset.
• Comfortable working to targets and delivering against KPIs
• Ability and willingness to work a flexible, adjustable schedule, including occasional evenings and weekends to accommodate cross-time zone collaboration and support in-market partner needs. Requires strong self-management skills to successfully balance professional deliverables with personal time within a flexible work environment.
• Close proximity to a major airport is preferred.

We thank you for your interest in Grok Global Services. To learn more about Grok, please visit us at our website: https://grokglobal.com/ and by following us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/grokglobal/