Kaiwhakahaere - International Student Support Manager

Kōrero mō te tūranga - About the role

Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington is currently recruiting an Kaiwhakahaere - International Student Support Manager on a 12-month, fixed-term basis.

This is a full-time role based on Kelburn campus in Wellington and will have a start date of 03 August 2026.

Key responsibilities:

• Provide effective leadership, management, mentoring and decision-making for the International Student Support team, to ensure a positive, creative, environment in which staff are motivated and innovative, contributing to a positive student experience.
• Manage the University’s international student support services, ensuring the provision of high-quality, culturally responsive pastoral care in line with the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021.
• Ensure students receive accurate guidance on student visas and insurance, and be an escalation point for complex cases from the team and other areas of the University.
• Build and maintain strong, collaborative, working relationships across faculties, student services, campus operations, and external partners—including government agencies, community organisations, and sector networks—to strengthen the University’s support ecosystem and ensure coordinated, holistic care for international students.
• Plan and deliver International Student Orientation programmes, and a programme of support for students through their whole journey at the University.

Ō pūmanawa - About you

You are a positive, caring and reliable leader, who is passionate about international student experience, wellbeing, and implementing best practice. You are a student-focused individual who can take initiative and provide excellent team management, while having a deep understanding of international student drivers and needs.

Key requirements:

• Demonstrated experience and expertise in planning and effective operational management of diversified student support services, particularly international student support or services of a similar type.
• Proven ability to motivate and manage effective teams to provide high quality client service.
• Experience in supporting individuals in a holistic way, including those with mental health concerns, ideally in a tertiary educational environment.
• Experience working in a cross-cultural environment, with strong communication skills.
• Excellent analytical, problem solving, conflict resolution, and mediation skills.
• Display a passion and commitment to the international student sector to improve outcomes for the University’s international student population.