Expressions of Interest: India-Based In-Country Representative
Student recruitment and agent management contractor | Ara Institute of Canterbury, Aotearoa New Zealand
About Ara
Ara Institute of Canterbury is a New Zealand Government-owned, NZQA Category 1 institution and the largest provider of campus-based vocational education in New Zealand. Founded in 1906, Ara teaches around 19,000 students a year across four locations across Christchurch and Timaru – with more than 150 study options. About 1,200 of our students are international, from over 50 countries.
Our international growth targets
Ara is targeting 25% year-on-year growth in international EFTS (equivalent full-time students), toward a stretch target of 800 new international EFTS. To help deliver this, we are appointing a dedicated in-country representative in India. India-specific targets will be set by Ara and agreed with the successful contractor.
The opportunity
We are seeking an India-based contractor (an individual) to represent Ara in market and manage our agent network for a 12-month term. Key responsibilities include:
- Recruitment planning: develop market-specific recruitment plans, using data and insights to grow enrolments.
- Agent management: build relationships with agents, institutions and stakeholders in your designated regions, and run agent training (workshops, webinars, application quality and compliance refreshers).
- Market presence: represent Ara at education fairs, events and networking forums to lift our brand visibility.
- Market intelligence: monitor trends and competitor activity, and report on performance and opportunities (monthly, quarterly and annually).
- Conversion: work closely with Ara admissions and enrolments staff to convert enquiries into enrolments.
- Commercial support: support in-market contracts, negotiations, renewals, incentive discussions and local-market advice.
Success will be measured against agreed targets for leads, applications, offers, enrolments and EFTS, conversion rates, agent performance, brand awareness and reporting and budget compliance, with monthly performance reviews and quarterly strategic reviews.
What to submit
- Curriculum vitae – for the individual, or for the key people who will deliver the service.
- Cover letter – outlining your relevant experience in international student recruitment and agent management, particularly in India, and why you are the right partner for Ara.
- Slideshow submission – six slides, one for each topic in the table below, showing how you would approach the role.
- Commercials – your proposed annual service fee, what it includes, any additional costs or expenses, and any commercial assumptions.
Recommended Submission Outline
|
Slide |
Topic |
What we'd like to see |
|
1 |
Market opportunity |
Where do you see the strongest opportunities for Ara in India, and what would you prioritise? |
|
2 |
Recruitment approach |
How would you generate quality applications and improve conversion to enrolment? |
|
3 |
Agent management |
How would you identify, engage, train and improve the performance of priority agents? |
|
4 |
Market presence |
How would you build Ara's profile through events, institutions, partners and other in-market activity? |
|
5 |
First-year priorities |
What would your key priorities be across the first 12 months? Include a simple indicative timeline. |
|
6 |
Measuring success |
What measures would you use to demonstrate progress and value to Ara? |
Commercials
- Proposed annual service fee
- What is included in the fee
- Indicative hours per month you can commit
- Any relevant commercial assumptions
- Note: Travel and Accommodation costs will be covered by Ara
Email: international@ara.ac.nz
Applications Close: Friday 13 November, 5pm.