📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Associate Director - International Partnerships
🔹 Company: University of Auckland
🔹 Location: Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Education
🔹 Date Posted: April 4, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (Hybrid)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading the development of international partnerships and transnational education strategies
- Managing relationships with external stakeholders and faculties
- Providing high-quality policy and strategic advice to the Director International
- Operational leadership of the International Office team
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong leadership skills, and a deep understanding of the international education landscape.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Lead the development of strategic and annual operational plans related to international partnerships, transnational education, mobility, and networks
✅ Provide leadership, mentoring, professional development, and direction for the team
✅ Manage international relationships with transnational education partners, exchange institutions, study abroad providers, government organizations, and other key external stakeholders
✅ Develop and maintain effective relationships with faculties and other University service divisions
✅ Report on the effectiveness of partnerships and networks, and identify areas for improvement
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high level of stakeholder management, strategic planning, and operational leadership.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Education, International Relations, Business) or equivalent experience
Experience: Proven experience (10+ years) in international partnerships, transnational education, or a related field
Required Skills:
- Expertise in international education policy and strategy
- Proven relationship management skills
- Strong leadership and team management abilities
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to navigate geopolitical climates and ambiguity
- Proven track record of driving strategic direction and effective service cultures
Preferred Skills:
- Master's degree in a relevant field
- Experience in the tertiary education sector, marketing, or recruitment fields
- Knowledge of the New Zealand education landscape
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with relevant experience and a strong background in international education are likely to be successful in this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: NZD 157,000 - NZD 187,000 per annum
Benefits:
- Up to 6.75% company superannuation scheme
- Competitive salaries with five weeks annual leave and the option to buy and sell additional leave
- Flexible employment practices, including working from home (WFH) and adaptive working hours
- Leading and inclusive parental leave policy
- Career development programmes, discounted car parking, on-site childcare options, leisure and recreation facilities, and several other discounted products and services
Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week, with flexible working arrangements
ASSUMPTION: The salary range is based on the University of Auckland's published salary ranges for similar roles.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Higher Education. The University of Auckland is New Zealand's leading university and one of the world's top 100 universities.
Company Size: Large (over 9,000 staff supporting over 46,000 students)
Founded: 1883. The University of Auckland is New Zealand's oldest university and has a rich history and strong reputation.
Company Description:
- Comprehensive research-intensive institution with eight academic faculties and 11 service divisions
- Committed to providing a supportive working environment with benefits that include competitive salaries, flexible working arrangements, and career development opportunities
- Dedicated to achieving equity outcomes for staff and students in a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment
Company Specialties:
- Research and teaching excellence
- International collaboration and partnerships
- Student support and success
Company Website: www.auckland.ac.nz
ASSUMPTION: The University of Auckland is a large, well-established institution with a strong focus on research and international collaboration.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Senior leadership role, reporting directly to the Director International
Reporting Structure: Leads the International Office team, with responsibility for operational leadership and strategic direction
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (3 days on-site, 2 days remote)
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential progression to Director International level in the future
- Opportunities to work on high-impact international projects and initiatives
- Chance to develop and enhance leadership, strategic planning, and stakeholder management skills
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant opportunities for professional growth and development within the University of Auckland's international office.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Modern, collaborative workspaces with state-of-the-art facilities
Office Location(s): Auckland, New Zealand
Geographic Context:
- Auckland is New Zealand's largest city, with a diverse and multicultural population
- The city offers a high quality of life, with excellent education, healthcare, and recreational opportunities
- Auckland is a major hub for international education, with a large student population and numerous educational institutions
Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, with flexible working arrangements
ASSUMPTION: The University of Auckland's Auckland campus offers a modern, collaborative work environment with easy access to amenities and public transportation.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening
- In-person or video interview with hiring manager
- Final interview with senior leadership team
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and planning
- Leadership and team management skills
- Relationship management and stakeholder engagement
- Cultural awareness and sensitivity
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare for interview questions related to your strategic planning, leadership, and stakeholder management abilities
- Research the University of Auckland's international office and its strategic priorities to demonstrate your understanding of the organization and its goals
ATS Keywords: International partnerships, transnational education, strategic planning, leadership, stakeholder management, policy advice, operational leadership, international office, higher education
ASSUMPTION: The University of Auckland uses an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to manage job applications, and including relevant keywords in your resume can improve your chances of being shortlisted.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software (e.g., Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Microsoft Project)
ASSUMPTION: The University of Auckland uses standard office software and project management tools for day-to-day operations.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Excellence
- Integrity
- Innovation
- Collaboration
- Manaakitanga (hospitality, generosity, and kindness)
- Whanaungatanga (relationships and connections)
- Kaitiakitanga (guardianship and stewardship)
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Strategic and forward-thinking
- Adaptable and responsive to change
- Culturally sensitive and inclusive
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you embody the University of Auckland's values in your work?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you successfully managed a complex international partnership or project?
- How do you approach building and maintaining effective relationships with diverse stakeholders?
ASSUMPTION: The University of Auckland values a strong cultural fit and looks for candidates who can demonstrate a commitment to its values and principles.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing geopolitical risks and uncertainties in international partnerships
- Balancing strategic planning with day-to-day operational demands
- Navigating a large and complex organization with multiple stakeholders
- Adapting to changes in the higher education landscape and international education policies
ASSUMPTION: This role presents unique challenges related to international partnerships, strategic planning, and organizational navigation.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other senior international partnerships roles, this position offers a broader scope of responsibilities and a higher level of strategic influence
- In the New Zealand higher education context, the University of Auckland is a leading institution with a strong international reputation
- Career progression opportunities may include roles such as Director International or other senior leadership positions within the University
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique combination of strategic influence, organizational impact, and career growth opportunities within the New Zealand higher education sector.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a new international partnerships strategy to enhance the University's global reputation
- Managing a complex transnational education project involving multiple partner institutions and stakeholders
- Conducting a comprehensive review of the University's international office operations and recommending improvements to enhance efficiency and effectiveness
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic, operational, and stakeholder management aspects of the Associate Director - International Partnerships role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the University's strategic priorities for international partnerships and transnational education in the next 3-5 years?
- How does this role fit into the University's overall organizational structure and strategic goals?
- What are the key challenges and opportunities facing the University's international office in the coming years?
- How does the University support the professional development and growth of its international partnerships team members?
- What is the University's approach to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and culturally sensitive work environment?
ASSUMPTION: These interview questions help candidates better understand the role, the organization, and the opportunities for professional growth and development.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the University of Auckland careers portal
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare for interview questions related to your strategic planning, leadership, and stakeholder management abilities
- Research the University of Auckland's international office and its strategic priorities to demonstrate your understanding of the organization and its goals
- Follow up with the hiring manager, Lisa Matthews, via email (lisa.matthews@auckland.ac.nz) one week after submitting your application to express your interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
