Director: International
Fulltime, Permanent
Tēnā koutou katoa
We have an opportunity for a commercially-minded and globally connected leader who thrives on building partnerships, unlocking opportunities, and driving sustainable growth.
Ko wai mātou | About us as an organisation
At Te Kura Matatini ki Otago/Otago Polytechnic, we are committed to attracting, developing and retaining kaimahi (staff) who are passionate, creative, future-focused and dedicated to helping set the direction for quality vocational and applied learning to meet tomorrow’s needs.
We are guided by our values and we are proud to be Rainbow Tick certified. We aspire to create a working environment that is inclusive and meets the aspirations of mana whenua ensuring equity for Māori and increasing access for all.
Mō te tūraka mahi | About the role
As our Director: International, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for Otago Polytechnic’s international function, driving the delivery of our international strategy and ensuring sustainable international enrolment growth. You will lead a high-performing team while building strong relationships across the organisation, industry, government agencies, education partners, and international markets.
You will be accountable for growing international EFTS (equivalent full-time students), strengthening application-to-enrolment conversion, developing high-value partnerships and articulation pathways, and ensuring our programmes, systems, services, and student experience remain responsive to the needs of international learners.
Working closely with internal stakeholders, you will champion an organisation-wide approach to internationalisation, ensuring our global engagement activity supports both learner success and long-term organisational sustainability.
This is a highly visible leadership role reporting directly to the Deputy Executive Director: Operations and offers the opportunity to represent Otago Polytechnic nationally and internationally.
Ko wai koe | About you
You will be an accomplished leader with extensive experience in international education and a track record of delivering growth through effective strategy, partnership development, and people leadership. You understand the complexities of international recruitment and student success and know how to translate market intelligence into meaningful results.
Your strengths will include:
- Senior leadership experience within international education, with responsibility for strategy, people, operational delivery, and financial performance.
- Demonstrated success in international student recruitment, conversion improvement, agent management, and partnership development.
- Strong commercial acumen and the ability to identify growth opportunities, assess return on investment, and drive sustainable revenue outcomes.
- Exceptional relationship-building, influencing, and stakeholder engagement skills across diverse cultures and markets.
- A commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the cultural capability to work effectively with people from a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives.
- The agility, resilience, and strategic thinking needed to lead through change and navigate a dynamic global environment
The successful applicant will uphold our organisation’s commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi by continuously developing and upholding your understanding of our obligations and connection with Te Tiriti as an individual and as an organisation
Through recognition, empowerment and inclusion, you will give greater acknowledgement to the unmet needs of Māori, Pasifika and disabled people and their whanau.
You will have demonstrable health and safety best practices and enjoy being part of a team who support each other. You will easily be able to build and maintain relationships and communicate exceptionally well via email, phone and face-to-face.
Tono ināianei | Apply now
For specific information contact Max Sims 0800 762 786 or max.sims@op.ac.nz
For a position description or to apply please click on the link.
Applications close 5pm, Wednesday 29 July 2026.
Applications for this role will take you to the advertisers site.
