12103 - International Recruitment Specialist

Department
Office of the Registrar
Employment Type
Temporary
Time Type
Full-Time
Hiring Range
$69,331- $86,664
Job Category
Student Recruitment
Job Location : Location
CA-ON-Waterloo

Term: 1 year

Within the Marketing & Undergraduate Recruitment (MUR) unit of the Registrar’s Office (RO), the International Recruitment Specialist is responsible for successful implementation of off-campus international recruitment and admissions marketing strategies, including budget, travel, communications, research, and data analysis.

The International Recruitment Specialist plays a key role in providing confident, competent, and credible external representation of the university in an important market in which expanded enrolment is a major institutional goal.

Responsible for implementing international undergraduate marketing and recruitment initiatives

• Researches, develops, executes, and enhances appropriate off-campus international undergraduate recruitment initiatives
• Leads proactive off-campus international recruitment events, including but not limited to presentations and networking with guidance counsellors, school officials, parents, alumni, business representatives, and the media
• Manages positive and effective relationships with prospective students, applicants, and parents; recruitment and admission specialists from other Canadian and international institutions; guidance counsellors, teachers, and school officials; Waterloo students and alumni; representatives of international businesses and government-related agencies, such as Canadian embassy officials, current and potential co-op employers, and current and potential exchange partners
• Ensures the development and execution of scripts, visual presentations, and display materials appropriately targeted for international audiences
• Ensures the timely, accurate, consistent, and ongoing follow-up with key audiences throughout the recruitment and admissions cycle, including responses to direct in-person or email inquiries from prospective students, applicants, and counsellors encountered by Waterloo representatives during international visits and events
• When on campus, as needed, responsible for hosting international guests, including but not limited to delegations and school groups
• Proactively investigates and facilitates other departments’ initiatives and faculty outreach activities that support the university’s international strategic objectives
• As needed, represents Waterloo with key international professional and government organizations that have a significant impact on Waterloo’s ability to meet international targets

Responsible for significant international travel to represent Waterloo

• Organizes and co-ordinates travel to and in-person encounters with international prospective students and influencers, including organizing a well-developed travel plan and creatively solving any problems that may arise
• Travels outside of Canada, often for several weeks at a time, in order to attend globalization conferences and international education fairs and to act as Waterloo’s face-to-face spokesperson with key audiences in strategically selected international markets, including but not limited to prospective students and their families; Canadian embassy and consulate staff; international counsellors; Canadian colleagues responsible for international recruitment; and representatives of student recruitment agencies, governments, and businesses
• Is cognizant of existing international partnership agreements; provides support and training when travelling
• When travelling, represents and acts on behalf of Waterloo departments that have a mandate to internationalize, including but not limited to Alumni Affairs, Waterloo International, Co-operative Education & Experiential Education Graduate Studies, and the English Language Institute, fulfilling responsibilities consistent with positions such as Alumni Officer, International Programs, International Manager, and Associate Director, Graduate Studies Recruitment and Admissions
• Exhibits a consistently high level of maturity, professionalism, and credibility to act as Waterloo’s face-to-face spokesperson with all audiences
• Maintains awareness of applicable cultural/regional interpersonal expectations, travel advisories and sensitivities in targeted markets. Where appropriate - tailors behaviour, appearance, clothing (etc.) to the international context, prioritizing representing the University of Waterloo professionally

Collaborates, advises, and consults

• Advises the Manager, International Recruitment & Partnerships, and the Associate Director, Marketing & Undergraduate Recruitment/Director, International, with respect to research and the establishment of key markets as well as the development, implementation, evaluation, and enhancement of international travel and recruitment strategies
• Provides advise and audience expertise with respect to implementing international marketing strategies, and consults with, advises, and interacts directly with the office of the Associate Vice President, International; marketing and undergraduate recruitment professionals in the faculties, professional schools, and university colleges; managers and staff in MUR, the RO, and numerous university departments; and international student societies and clubs
• Collaborates with the Manager, Liaison; the National Marketing & Recruitment Specialist; and the Manager, Communications, to plan and co-ordinate visits to Canadian international schools and to ensure the integration, co-ordination, consistency, and appropriateness for international audiences of any scripts, visual presentations, display materials, and other initiatives
• Collaborates with and advises team members responsible for communications with the goal of ensuring that internationally focused print and digital initiatives align with other international strategies
• Works closely with the Assistant Registrar, Admissions, and the Admissions Officers to facilitate the application process for international students
• With recognition and understanding of the priorities of on-campus partners, supports other International Recruitment Specialists and the Manager, International Recruitment in building consensus and coordinating the scheduling and alignment of international marketing initiatives as well as communication and follow-up strategies to balance the needs of other areas and to ensure the effective marketing of both these units and the university as a whole
• Proactively shares knowledge so that team members can incorporate new information and techniques into their initiatives

Understands and applies current, relevant market research and institutional knowledge

• Applies current and historical enrolment data in combination with demographics to determine trends, forecast future opportunities, and inform strategy development
• Keeps fully informed and knowledgeable about all aspects of programs, admissions, student life, visual identity and branding, success after graduation, and other issues related to international undergraduate prospective students, applicants, and admitted students, including all relevant research, communications, recruitment initiatives, and how any changes impact the strategies for which they are responsible
• Maintains a clear understanding of the needs and behaviours of MUR’s international target audiences and influencers at different stages throughout the enrolment management funnel to enhance the strategies for which they are responsible
• Researches and recommends enhanced international marketing strategies and policies and keeps current with respect to best practices
• Maintains awareness of trends in international recruitment, international educational systems and admission requirements, significant developments that impact the marketing of the university to international audiences, and the international marketing and recruitment practices of Waterloo’s competitors
• Understands the role of research in MUR’s evidence-based strategies and collaborates with the Research Manager to establish research objectives and create data analysis solutions to inform decision-making, strategy development, messaging, and budget; to determine the optimal methods of evaluating the effectiveness of the initiatives for which they are responsible; and to ascertain and recommend the most effective enhancements.
• Responsible for ensuring the ongoing evaluation of the quality of international high schools located both within and outside Canada as a basis for determining preeminent schools to visit
• Researches and recommends an enhanced strategy focusing on the recruitment of international students already studying in Canadian high schools
• Informs the development of international travel strategies based on extensive on-the-ground networks and relevant research from multiple sources including but not limited to national and provincial ministries; Canadian embassies and consulates; in-country professional organizations; high school guidance counsellors; Waterloo alumni; and educational consultants

Project manages workflow and business practices

• Assumes project management responsibilities for all international travel initiatives, including resources, time, and budget, ensuring proper control of expenditures for the initiatives for which they are responsible
• Develops, writes, and follows travel reports and Smartsheets, while maintaining the CRM including visit statistics. In combination, these accurately document all components of each marketing initiative for which they are responsible and contributes appropriate updates to the overall MUR tactics document

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience required
• Minimum 3 years of experience in a presentation/persuasion focused role (such as sales or student recruitment)
• Demonstrated experience in persuading, informing, and influencing complex decisions
• Experience in developing and delivering online and in-person events is an asset
• Experience in postsecondary student recruitment is preferred
• Experience in independent/self-directed international travel is an asset
• Experience as a student at the University of Waterloo is an asset
• Outstanding public/promotional/persuasive speaking and presentation skills including presentations to large and small audiences
• Ability to plan, develop, execute, and report upon annual recruitment plans that measurably address the needs of assigned recruitment markets
• Ability to independently lead and conduct individual and group recruitment travel, which often includes travel for weeks at a time
• Ability to speak credibly and accurately about a wide array of topics including all aspects of academic and student life at Waterloo
• Must exhibit excellent interpersonal and communication skills and be able to build strong collaborative relationships with key stakeholders
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, showing confidence communicating with individuals from different cultures
• Motivated, ambitious, and a results-driven go-getter
• Must be a team player who thrives in a busy environment
• Ability to prioritize effectively, including the ability to work both independently and collaboratively, including aiding in peer mentorship
• Ability to maintain and work within allocated budget for projects as well as within an annual plan
• Technology literacy and skilled in use of productivity, presentation, and web meeting/presentation technologies
• Fluency in languages other than English is an asset
• A Vulnerable Sector Check is required
• A valid Driver’s Abstract and a valid G driver’s licence is required

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.