Transnational Education Operations Lead

Job Description:

Te Rōpū Pāpori | Engagement
Located in Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa | New Zealand

• Based in Christchurch with international and domestic travel
• 5 weeks annual leave +5 days university holidays
• Professional development opportunities
• Permanent position, 37.5 hours per week
• Generous employer contribution to superannuation (up to 6.75%)

What if your next role combined international education, complex project leadership, relationship management and the opportunity to shape how a university delivers programmes across borders?

Āu Mahi | What You Will Do
This is a role with genuine international reach. You will take a lead role in the operational delivery of our growing transnational education portfolio and overseas academic partnerships. You’ll work across UC and with overseas partner universities to make sure programmes are delivered effectively, students are supported, risks are managed and partnerships continue to thrive.

You will:

• Lead the operational delivery of UC’s transnational education portfolio across international partner institutions.
• Manage complex international projects, balancing priorities and strategic objectives.
• Develop and improve policies, procedures and operational frameworks for offshore education.
• Lead operations of Flying Faculty visits, offshore orientation, transition and student support initiatives.
• Build trusted relationships with international partners, senior leaders and academic and professional staff.
• Provide operational leadership, Mandarin jlanguage support, and cultural advice during international delegations.
• Monitor partnership performance, risks and opportunities, recommending practical improvements.
• Build trusted, effective working relationships across UC’s various business units including Digital, Finance, Legal, Academic Services and faculties to navigate contractual, financial, regulatory and quality requirements.
• Support the end-to-end TNE journey for students by overseeing recruitment, transition and enrolment, and graduation practices, representing UC with confidence to external stakeholders.

Mōu | Who You Are
You’re an experienced international education or tertiary professional. You will bring significant professional experience, typically 5+ years, in international education, partnership management, transnational education or the tertiary sector, along with the confidence to take ownership of complex work and make sound decisions independently.

You will also be able to demonstrate experience and/skills in:

• Professional fluency in Mandarin Chinese, spoken and written, with the ability to interpret between Mandarin and English in professional and institutional settings, including with cultural nuance.
• Strong knowledge of the Chinese higher education system, business culture and professional communication practices, including experience using platforms such as WeChat.
• A proven track record managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders, competing priorities and a high degree of autonomy.
• Experience developing operational policies, procedures, frameworks and processes that make complex activities work better.
• Confidence working with senior university leaders, academics, government representatives and international partners.
• Strong relationship management, influencing, negotiation and cross-cultural communication skills.
• An understanding of quality assurance, regulatory, contractual, financial, taxation and compliance requirements within international education.
• Excellent communication, analytical and organisational skills, with strong attention to detail.
• A willingness and ability to undertake regular domestic and international travel, including extended periods overseas.
• An alignment with our organisation's values and culture, promoting a positive and inclusive work environment.

Mahi Ngātahi | Who You Will Work With
As part of UC's Engagement portfolio, the Global Engagement team manages UC's international partnerships, transnational education portfolio, institutional collaborations, government and official delegations, and international student experience activities.

For more information about our team, please visit us at Global Engagement | UC

Ngā Painga o UC | Why UC
At UC, being part of our team means more than just a job. We are committed to supporting our kaimahi | staff’s career and wellbeing with benefits designed to help our kaimahi grow and feel connected, supported and valued.

• 5 weeks annual leave +5 days university holidays
• generous employer contribution to superannuation (up to 6.75%)
• flexible working arrangements
• professional development opportunities
• supportive working environment
• a wide range of retail discounts across shopping, entertainment and travel
• on-campus staff discounts
• living in revitalised Ōtautahi | Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand
• a unique working environment in a beautiful campus with access to UC facilities such as UC RecCentre and Staff Club at discounted rates plus onsite cafés and eateries, and more.

The closing date for this position is: 6 September 2026 (midnight, NZ time)
Please note, applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may take place before the close date.

Salary for this role will be appointed at $95,784 to $100,000p.a. depending on skills and experience.

Pēhea te tono mai | How You Apply
Applications for this position must be submitted via our careers website and should include a cover letter and resume.

Please note, we do not accept applications by email, however we are happy to answer your queries in relation to the application process, please forward these to [email protected]

You must have Aotearoa New Zealand or Australian citizenship/permanent residency or hold a valid NZ work visa to be considered for this role.

Please note, this is an onsite position based in Christchurch with international and domestic travel required.