"International Admissions Manager"

Job Description:

• Are you a driven leader who can develop and empower a diverse team to excel?
• Have you got proven skills at influencing and partnering with internal/external stakeholders?
• Can you optimise systems and processes and contribute to a significant transformation journey?

Kōrero mō te tūranga - About the role

Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington is recruiting an International Admissions Manager to lead our International Admissions team within Te Kahupapa ki Tai - International Office on a permanent full-time basis. The role provides strategic and operational leadership to deliver a timely, student centred admissions experience that supports international enrolment growth and student success. You will drive performance across the end to end admissions pipeline, champion continuous improvement, and strengthen collaboration with Faculties and Central Service Units. This position is fully based on site in the International Office.

The Manager, International Admissions plays a critical leadership role in advancing the business priorities of Te Kahupapa ki Tai - International Office which are aligned with the University’s Strategic Plan and strategic frameworks. The position is central to delivering the International Admissions Action Plan, which focuses on:

• Accelerating turnaround times for Offers and Conditional Offers.
• Managing the application pipeline to ensure efficient, seamless progression through every stage.
• Leading, developing, and empowering a high performing, agile team.
• Providing strategic insights and driving continuous improvement across systems and processes.
• Strengthening collaboration with Faculties and Central Service Units (CSUs) to improve outcomes for students.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead and inspire a diverse team to deliver a high-quality, timely and culturally responsive service.
• Ensure team members deliver exceptional customer service to our prospective international students, partner institutions, and approved recruitment agents.
• Improve processes and systems (e.g., workflow optimisation, automation, SOPs, reporting) to ensure an efficient and effective student-centred service.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills with the ability to partner effectively across academic and professional services.
• Strong analytical, planning and management skills with a “can do” approach and commitment to continuous improvement.

Ō pūmanawa - About you

You will be a proactive, people centred leader who brings strong judgement, excellent relationship skills, and a continuous improvement mindset. You’ll be comfortable operating in a complex and dynamic environment, using data to inform decisions and coaching others to high performance.

Key requirements:

• A relevant tertiary qualification, or equivalent experience.
• Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop a diverse, high performing team in a large and complex organisation.
• Strong interpersonal and problem solving skills, with a mature and professional approach.
• Ability to work both autonomously and collaboratively, with a demonstrated commitment to a positive team environment.
• Well-developed self-management and organisational skills, including the ability to prioritise effectively and manage competing demands.
• Excellent networking, negotiating, and presentation skills, with the ability to influence and build constructive relationships at all organisational levels.
• Excellent written communication skills and the ability to tailor advice to diverse audiences.
• Comfortable working with people from a wide range of cultures, including a genuine interest in supporting students from diverse backgrounds.
• Experience providing timely, accurate advice to customers and stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and conceptual skills, with the ability to provide robust, evidence based recommendations to senior leadership.
• Demonstrated experience in the development, review, and implementation of policy and procedure.
• Knowledge of administration systems and databases, including maintaining accurate electronic and paper-based records.
• Understanding of the international education sector and the student recruitment lifecycle.

An understanding of the international education sector and experience in international admissions processing would be an advantage but is not essential.

Role Description:

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Close date for vacancy: 13 February 2026.

Contact details for vacancy: If you have any questions regarding this role, please get in touch with Dr Sam Mackay, Deputy Director - International (sam.mackay@vuw.ac.nz).

How to apply: Please ensure you are applying for this role directly on our careers page and not via email. Candidates must submit supporting documents along with their resume, such as a cover letter.

We can only consider applicants who are citizens or residents of New Zealand or Australia or on a current working visa. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and we may progress with suitable applicants prior to the application closing date. Applications from recruitment agencies are not accepted.