Business Development Manager

About Us:

Study Now is a leading education consultancy firm, dedicated to assisting students in finding the best study opportunities worldwide. We work closely with universities, colleges, and other educational institutions to facilitate the recruitment and admission process. We are committed to providing personalized support and guidance to our clients, ensuring they make informed decisions about their academic and career paths.

Our mission is to empower students to make informed academic and career decisions through personalized guidance and professional support.

We are currently seeking an experienced and motivated Business Development Manager to lead our East African operations  focusing on securing Agent and Company partnerships, generating quality leads, and offering student counselling to support international placements.

Key Responsibilities

1. Partnership & Agent Development

• Identify, engage, and onboard new education agents, corporate organizations, and referral partners across East Africa.
• Negotiate and formalize partnership agreements to promote Study Now's services.
• Manage ongoing relationships with agents and corporate partners, ensuring consistent communication and performance tracking.
• Provide training, resources, and updates to agents to enhance their ability to market Study Now programs effectively.

2. Market Expansion & Research

• Conduct detailed market analysis to identify potential countries, cities, and institutions for partnership within East Africa.
• Monitor competitor activities, market trends, and emerging opportunities for student recruitment and corporate engagement.
• Develop targeted strategies to penetrate new regions and strengthen existing markets.

3. Lead Generation & Student Recruitment

• Generate qualified student leads through corporate partnerships, referrals, events, and digital channels.
• Collaborate with the marketing and admissions teams to achieve student enrolment targets.
• Support agents and partners in converting inquiries into successful admissions.

4. Student Counselling & Support

• Provide personalized counselling to students and parents on international education options, application processes, and visa requirements.
• Guide students through the entire journey—from initial inquiry to university application, visa documentation, and pre-departure briefings.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of international universities, programs, and scholarship opportunities.

5. Marketing & Brand Promotion

• Work with the marketing department to plan and execute promotional campaigns and events targeting students, companies, and agents.
• Host webinars, live sessions, and information events on platforms such as Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and TikTok to engage audiences.
• Represent Study Now at education fairs, exhibitions, and networking conferences across East Africa.

6. Performance Tracking & Reporting

• Track performance metrics such as agent productivity, partnership growth, and student conversions.
• Prepare regular business reports and forecasts for senior management.
• Use CRM systems to maintain accurate and up-to-date data on leads, agents, and partnerships.
• Manage budgets and deploy resources efficiently to meet targets and deliver results.

7. Compliance & Quality Assurance

• Ensure compliance with institutional, visa, and regulatory requirements related to international student recruitment.
• Maintain ethical standards and transparency in all partnership and counselling activities.

Additional Key Requirements 

• Strong knowledge of the education systems and study opportunities in Australia, US, UK, Canada, or Europe, including admission requirements, visa processes, and scholarship options.
• Familiarity with relevant educational institutions, courses, and programs in the target study destinations.
• Proven track record of achieving sales targets and generating successful outcomes in the field of overseas study consulting.
• Ability to effectively handle multiple tasks and prioritize work in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in using relevant software and tools for customer relationship management and data tracking.
• Cultural sensitivity and the ability to effectively communicate and build rapport with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Up-to-date knowledge of industry trends, regulations, and best practices in overseas study consulting.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to provide tailored solutions to meet individual student needs.
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail to ensure accurate and thorough documentation of client interactions and applications.
• Commitment to continuous learning and professional development to stay abreast of changes in the industry.
• Flexibility to work occasional evenings or weekends to accommodate client needs and participate in promotional events.
• Adherence to ethical standards and compliance with relevant regulations and guidelines in the field of overseas study consulting.

Person Specification

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Business Administration, Marketing, or related field (Master's degree is an added advantage).
• Minimum 4 years' experience in business development, education recruitment, or student placement services within East Africa or a similar market.
• Strong understanding of international education systems, admissions processes, and visa requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to build networks with agents, corporations, and educational institutions.
• Proven sales, negotiation, and partnership management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation abilities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and CRM tools.
• Fluent in English (knowledge of Swahili or other East African languages is an advantage).

Able to demonstrate:

• A high degree of self-motivation with the ability to work independently, take effective decisions, resolve unforeseen problems and adapt to changing circumstances.
• Ability to work under pressure, prioritizing own workload and that of the team and planning ahead to meet deadlines.
• An understanding of information governance and data

Special requirements

Able to undertake duties at different premises. Flexibility to work outside of normal office hours to effectively support the company's operations and events.

Travel may be required in order to attend conferences, events, new projects and effectively represent the Company in key networks.

Expectations of all staff

Professional standards

All staff employed by Study Now are expected to exhibit high professional standards which promote and demonstrate the company's core values of Excellence, People Focused, Partnership Working, Fairness and Integrity.

Equal Opportunities

All staff are expected to understand and enact the company's commitment to ensuring equality and diversity in all activities. This commitment is enshrined in the Equality Statement and core values.

Dignity at work

Every member of staff has a responsibility to ensure colleagues are treated with dignity and respect.

The Company is committed to creating a work environment for all staff that is free from harassment, intimidation and any other forms of bullying at work, where everyone is treated with dignity, respect and professional courtesy.

Citizenship

All staff are expected to adhere to good citizenship, being generous with help and support to others, collaborating with colleagues and working for the benefit of the University as a whole. In particular working to provide a positive student experience and achieving excellence in all the University's activities.

This job description indicates the expectations of staff at this level. Job descriptions are not exhaustive and you may be required to undertake other duties of a similar level and responsibility.