Business Development Project Officer

Job Purpose

As a valued member of the Business Development team, your role will be to provide crucial support in managing the diverse and rapidly expanding portfolio of strategic and joint venture projects. These exciting opportunities are currently at varying stages of progress and require exemplary project management skills and exceptional stakeholder engagement to be delivered within budget, scope, and timeline.

As the Business Development Project Officer, you will work closely with the Chief Development Officer, other members of the BD team, project managers in the Business Transformation Unit, and collaborate with all business and academic delivery teams within Oxford International Education Group.

Your role will involve a wide range of tasks, including liaising with international teams, working across cultural and organizational boundaries, and managing demanding objectives within tight timelines. You will also contribute to the development of new initiatives by conducting research and analysis to identify targets, enabling effective decision-making as part of an explicit decision gateway process overseen by the Executive Committee.

In summary, your role is pivotal to the successful delivery of our portfolio of strategic and joint venture projects. By providing exemplary project management and stakeholder engagement, you will ensure that we deliver our projects to the highest standard, enabling us to continue to achieve our goals as a leading player in the education sector.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Supporting the Business Development Process, in particular in respect of

a. Moving the current pipeline of Embedded College proposals to decision and implementation or exit

b. Enhancing the pipeline of potential additional embedded college proposals

c. Developing the Educational Services proposition and taking it to market

d. Creating opportunities to engage universities through roundtable and other workshop/seminar type events with external speakers addressing areas of current concern

e. Enhancing our position in China

2. Working with project management team to support project groups. This may include:

a. the planning, preparation and management of events, including all logistical arrangements.

b. Preparing reports and supporting documentation.

c. Chasing actions and reporting on progress for defined areas of activity.

d. Leading on specific tasks, as defined by the CDO.

3. To undertake market research and provide information/intelligence to inform potential opportunities for development and areas of risk/change/opportunity affecting the existing portfolio.

4. Ensure processes and systems are in place, and enhanced over time to enable BD and its key

stakeholders to deliver objectives and to actively seek out tools, techniques, resources and best

practice approaches that will support the BD team in their activities; contributing to creating an ethos of continuous improvement within the team.

5. Document and refine standard processes within the team; provide training and line management as required, for current and/or future administrative support.

6. Develop reports, documents and other correspondence as required.

This job description is provided as a guide to the role. It is not intended to be an exhaustive description of duties and responsibilities and may be subject to periodic revision.

Person specification

Statutory requirements

Eligibility to live and work in in the UK;
Undergo an Enhanced DBS disclosure check or overseas equivalent

Qualifications

First degree or equivalent qualification.
Evidence of Continuous Professional Development.
A Master’s degree (Desirable)
Professional membership with Advance HE, QAA ETC. (Desirable)

Experience and knowledge

A track record of successfully experience in a HE environment or similar
Experience of building excellent networks with people of diverse cultures and backgrounds.
Able to work in a fast paced environment, dealing with multiple projects simultaneously
Intercultural awareness. Experience in dealing with culturally sensitive issues and the ability to adapt quickly to innovative and creative solutions.
Knowledge of partnerships operations. (Desirable)
Experience of establishing new partnerships and supporting existing partnerships. (Desirable)
Knowledge of emerging global trends in TNE. (Desirable)
Experience in business development (Desirable)

Skills and Abilities

Excellent IT skills with experience of email, MS Office including Word, PowerPoint.
Focused on profitability, sales driven and skilled at cost-effectively delivering results.
Ability to interpret complex data to inform reports on international student recruitment and partnerships strategy.
Excellent time management and organisational skills.
Skilled communicator and proficient in presentation to a diverse audience.
Excellent project management skills. (Desirable)
Knowledge of another language other than English. (Desirable)
Demonstrated problem-solving skills. (Desirable)
Customer centric. (Desirable)
Adept negotiator with contracts/agreements. (Desirable)

Personal Qualities

Flexibility to work non- standard hours including evenings, weekends, and bank holidays.
Willingness to travel independently locally and overseas.
Budget management. (Desirable)
Ability to work without supervision; with/without a team. (Desirable)