Program Manager - Kent State University (USA)

We have an immediate opportunity for a seasoned international education professional to join our team in Ho Chi Minh City, helping an existing Grok client, Kent State University (USA), to promote itself across Vietnam and Southeast Asia.



Kent State University (KSU) is a large, public 4-year university ranked among the top universities in Ohio and among the top 110 public universities in the USA. The university offers more than 300 degree programs, including 250 at the undergraduate level, 50 at the master's level, and 23 doctoral programs, and is classified as "R2: Doctoral Universities - High research activity" with renown programs in business, engineering, architecture, fashion design, and nursing. The university was founded in 1910 and is currently home to more than 26,000 students.



The successful candidate will assist with the management of student recruitment activities while also supporting the institution's overall engagement in Vietnam and across Southeast Asia. Duties will include coordinating with Kent State on the creation and implementation of the Southeast Asia market strategy, monitoring results and adjusting the tactical plan to ensure optimal outcomes, working with key stakeholders in the United States, developing and maintaining high level relationships with new and existing partners across SEA, and other in-market activities as required. Significant travel is anticipated (40%).

What is cool about this job?

As a Program Manager, you will build a strong personal connection with individuals across Kent State University and with the institution itself. You will contribute directly to the evolution of the institution and its international strategy. The work you do will impact the educational opportunities available to both students at Kent State as well as across Southeast Asia.



You will be given the opportunity to develop skills such as: strategic analysis and strategy development; communication with key stakeholders; managing a complex agenda; and crafting realistic and successful models of collaboration with partners. You will also have the chance to travel to Kent, Ohio to visit the university. You will be part of the Grok Family, where you'll have access to great coaching, professional development, career growth, and a fun and caring work environment. Grok is dedicated to doing excellent work for our client institutions and it's exciting to be part of our growing team.



What is hard about this job?

With greater control, comes greater responsibility and this can result in pressure. Most education institutions the world over have complex governance, which means that they are not able to change rapidly: you may know how an institution can improve their outcomes in Vietnam, but it might take months or years for them to be able to address your feedback, and that can lead to frustration. Stress management is important. The job requires significant travel within and outside Vietnam (when it is safe to do so), which can be great, but it can also sometimes be tiring.



Detailed responsibilities

As assigned by the Supervisor in conjunction with KSU, but may include:

• Develop knowledge of the KSU context, such that your recommendations are realistic in light of local conditions within the institution.

• Become deeply knowledgeable about US education system.

• Keep abreast with market developments

• Evaluate KSU's programs, attributes and activities in Vietnam and across Southeast Asia, with recommendations for improvement that are sophisticated, realistic, well informed by market norms and that address KSU's priorities.

• "Represent" KSU in a way that reflects the mission and values of the institution, and is ethical.

• Manage a very extensive network of education agents to a very high level of complexity and performance by:

o selecting professional agencies and managing contract process

o providing training to new agents

o liaising with existing agents on a regular basis

o attending agent fairs.

• Assist potential applicants and their families

• Conduct presentations at high schools, colleges, fairs, conferences and other venues

• Assist with the KSU's messaging within the market (in the form of in-person and digital marketing communications) to a very high standard

• Initiate and assist in the development of promotional materials for the Vietnamese and broader Southeast Asia market. Translation of documents may be required.

• Compose newsletters, correspondence and other materials may be required.

• Assist KSU with the identification, screening, selection and recruitment of Vietnamese and other Southeast Asian academic institutions for academic partnership

• Assist KSU with the management of academic and other partnerships across SEA

• Have the capability to interact with and support faculty and other senior leadership at KSU.

• Track expenses and manage a budget.