Organisation: Bond University
Job Title: International Regional Manager
Word Limit: 3 page statement
Location: Gold Coast
1. Tertiary qualification, preferably in business, marketing, public relations or communications.
I have over 15 years of experience in managerial positions, with eight of those years running my
own sales and marketing companies, and the last seven years working for educational
organisations in business development roles.
2. Demonstrated experience and success in student recruitment and marketing of educational
services to support international student recruitment.
For the last five years I have held positions for two educational organisations who targeted both
national and international students. In my role at Carrick Institute of Education, I was instrumental
in increasing the international student base, particularly in their Brisbane and South Australian
offices, where I was responsible for an additional 1500 student enrolments in a six month period.
In both of my roles, I have travelled overseas performing business development, networking,
increasing agent contacts, direct sales, and have represented the organisations at international
student expos, which included, Malaysia, India, Vietnam and Indonesia.
3. Meeting and exceeding targets
In my role at Carrick Institute of Education, I was given a target of $30M revenue in the local
market, which I successfully exceeded by achieving $40M in an 18 month period. In my current
role at Acknowledge Education (previously Stott’s College), I have been very successful in
increasing the international student revenue, reaching $1M in a 12 month period.
Throughout my career I have been in sales and marketing and have consistently met or exceeded
targets that were either set for me, or I set for myself in my own businesses. Having a good
understanding of how to perform market segmentation and find and follow up leads has been a
major contributor to my success.
4. Business plan development
In my role at Acknowledge Education I am responsible for growing the international market and,
as such, was required to submit a business plan regarding the countries that would represent the
biggest growth. I developed a business plan on the suitability of India, Pakistan and Indonesia as
strong markets, including the types of marketing initiatives that would prove the most effective.
5. Excellent knowledge of the international education market and trends
In my current role at Acknowledge Education and my past role with Carrick Institute of Education,
due to the nature of my responsibilities of growing the international student enrolments, I have
gathered a large network of contacts and understand where to find the market trend information
to continue to keep current with all the relevant information.
Through research, joining networking groups (eg LinkedIn) and through contact with embassy
staff, local and international agencies, international education institutes, and through student
contact I am very aware of existing and new market trends as they arise.
6. An understanding of tertiary admissions procedures.
Both of my most recent roles have been with educational organisations who offer tertiary
qualifications. This has given me a strong understanding of the admissions procedures required for
both national and international students.
7. Detailed knowledge of international student issues, such as ESOS and DIMIA requirements.
Having been involved in the international market for the past five years, I have in-depth
knowledge and understanding of the issues relating to international students wanting to come to
Australia to undertake educational studies. Due to the regulations of the Australian Government,
students from each country have different requirements they need to meet to be eligible to study
in Australia.
8. Sound applications software expertise (particularly MS Office) to facilitate ongoing
communication whilst traveling.
I have an excellent working knowledge of all Microsoft packages, particularly MSOutlook, which I
have been using for many years. In addition to this, I have used a large number of sales and
marketing databases, and am able to learn new packages in a timely and efficient manner.
9. Excellent organisational skills
Having been involved in the sales and marketing industry for over 15 years, I have developed
exceptional time management, organisational skills, and key attributes required for these
environments. In my current role, I am responsible for national and international sales, which sees
me speaking to a large number of people daily, in addition to needing to get information to clients
quickly and accurately. I have consistently demonstrated my ability to multitask and perform my
role to a high standard, while always reaching deadlines.
10. Superior client liaison (sales) skills are essential given the high level of personal involvement
required by this position
Having over 15 years of experience within the sales and marketing industries, and five years within
the national and international education markets, I have gained exceptional client liaison skills that
have contributed to my success.
These skills have transferred through industries and countries, and having international
experience, I have gained a thorough understanding of the best ways to be flexible in my approach
and ability to make changes to suit different cultures.
11. Excellent public speaking/presentation skills
I have a long history of public speaking and presenting to small and large groups of people, both
here in Australia and overseas. Most recently, in my role with Acknowledge Education, I took a
marketing and sales visit to India and presented to students, parents, agents and education staff.
The largest of these was a presentation to 2500 students.
In addition to these presentations, I appeared in a 30 minute television talk show, answering
questions relating to education in Australia for international students. Further, I appeared on radio
shows for similar discussions. I have on many occasions proven my skills in public speaking.
12. Strong communication (both written and verbal), mediation and negotiation skills
I possess excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and through my experience in
sales roles have gained exceptional skills in both mediation and negotiation. My focus, when
dealing with international clients, is to understand their needs and be flexible and sensitive to
their cultural beliefs.
13. Experience in working in other cultural environments.
In my current role with Acknowledge Education, my responsibilities cover international student
enrolments and have seen me working with a variety of cultures on a daily basis. I understand the
requirement to be flexible, as well as sensitive, to the different cultural beliefs and have never
come across any problems, due to my respectfulness of each culture.
14. Strong and effective liaison skills with academic staff, general staff, students, their parents,
Government officials, and members of the public.
For the past seven years, I have been involved in the education industry and have, on a daily basis,
liaised with a variety of people, including government departments, academic staff, students and
their parents, agents, international institution employees, and other people associated with the
industry, both here in Australia and overseas.
I enjoy collaborating with others to find solutions and the best outcome possible in each situation,
and have strong relationship building skills. My ability to maintain those relationships has been
demonstrated in my success in each of my roles.
15. Proven team player with excellent networking skills
Throughout my career I have worked as part of teams and have collaborated with others to form
strong partnerships to meet the objectives of a project. In addition to this, I have been involved in
sales and marketing of educational organisations and have gained exceptional networking skills
which have been the main contributor to my success.
My networks span across all states of Australia and many countries overseas. I have a thorough
understanding of LinkedIn and how to use it to gain leads for sales, along with experience
researching and attending national and international expos to increase awareness of the product
or service being offered.
16. Strong commitment to client service ethos
My commitment to a client service ethos is unwavering. This has been demonstrated through my
continued success in all roles I have undertaken. A major contributor to my success has been the
high targets I achieve in a sales environment.
17. Ability to work independently and apply initiative in isolation
In both of my most recent roles, I have travelled overseas and throughout Australia and have been
responsible for making decisions and taking initiative to reach the desired results, being flexible to
suit each culture I am working with. In addition, I have run my own businesses, which required me
to work independently and use my initiative to make decisions that were beneficial to the success
of my companies.
18. Self-sufficient international traveller
I have extensive travel experience, both personal and work related. I have independently travelled
to America, Pacific Islands, Indonesia, Macaw, Hong Kong, Malaysia and India.
19. Ability to work under sustained pressure
Having worked in many sales roles, that were target and deadline driven, I have gained excellent
skills that allows me to work under pressure. I have excellent organisational skills, knowing this is
imperative to sustaining and continuing to work within these types of environments.
