Position Objective
This role focuses on cultivating long- term relationships with corporate clients and other commercial partners to enhance student acquisition and retention, positioning our schools as the top choice for expatriate and local families seeking high- quality international education. The ideal candidate will have a strategic mindset, track record in translating partnerships into tangible ROI and outcomes, possess exceptional communication skills, and the ability to navigate complex business landscapes with confidence.
Please submit your application directly through the Cognita Career Site using the following link https://cognitapeople.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/1628?c=cognitapeople
The Strategic Partnership & Business Development Manager plays a key role in expanding partnerships across the international education ecosystem, driving business growth, and increasing student recruitment across key markets. As part of a dynamic and results- driven team, you will engage with diverse industries and build strategic partnerships both locally and globally. Your efforts will directly contribute to the success of our Cognita Asia schools, leveraging market insights and operational expertise to develop sustainable growth strategies. Your homebase defines the business focus prioritising enrolment growth of schools in the homebase country, while supporting growth for other Cognita schools.
Responsibilities
Scope of duties include but is not limited to:
Key Responsibilities
Build a purposeful, happy, professional, and engaged commitments across a range of relationships and teams.
Strategic Partnerships & Outreach
• Provide training to key partners to ensure message clarity and consistency.
• Develop and/or manage partnerships with multinational corporations, embassies, chambers of commerce, relocation agents, early childhood education providers, universities and other key enrolment partners.
• Establish preferred school agreements with key employers and relocation firms.
Market Development & Lead Generation (main focus towards Vietnam Schools)
• Cultivate new marketing opportunities and strategic initiatives based on market insights.
• Build and grow education agent partnerships in countries without local team representative which have been allocated to you until local representative is secured.
• Create targeted business development plans aligned with enrolment goals.
• Achieve assigned sales and student recruitment targets to support institutional growth.
• Drive inbound interest through strategic placement in partner channels (e.g., property welcome packs at serviced apartments, parent networks, expat associations, parenting platforms, embassy directories).
• Manage assigned partnerships with student placement agencies operating in homebase country (either for enrolment at schools within the country or in Cognita schools in other countries in the region).
• Identify new market segments and feeder opportunities (e.g., preschools).
Stakeholder Collaboration
• Work closely with academic leaders, marketing, and admissions teams to align business development efforts with institutional goals (e.g. school strategic priorities such as university partnerships, feeder schools, etc.)
• Work closely with school managing directors, operations directors and finance leads to establish scope of commercial agreement offerings.
• Work closely together with the Education Agent Partnership Territory Managers to ensure full alignment on school recruitment strategies, priority customer segments, agent goals and performance tracking, optimised marketing efforts (agent training, events, incentives, PR spend, etc.) and lead source recognition.
• Work closely with schools to drive corporate- sponsored events and lead key stakeholder discussions for acquisition and retention.
Event & Activation Support
• Attend industry conferences, education fairs, and networking events to enhance brand awareness and market positioning.
• Attend and speak at community events, family fairs, and relocation briefings to represent the school brand.
• Co- organize and support enrolment- focused events such as open houses, transition workshops, and partner- hosted sessions.
• Represent the school at networking events, expos, and family relocation briefings.
Reporting & CRM
• Maintain accurate records of partnership activities and lead sources in the CRM.
• Ensure all recruitment activities comply with local immigration and visa requirements.
• Track ROI and conversion metrics from partnership and business development channels.
• Research and analyze market trends, competitor insights, and internal school data to inform strategy and decision- making.
• Provide regular updates and performance reports to leadership.
Any other responsibilities as assigned by the Regional Strategic Partnership and Business Development Lead.
