Cialfo is a leading platform connecting students, higher education institutions, and counselors through technology-driven solutions. Launched in 2017 with a mission to make education accessible to 100 million students, Cialfo provides a range of mobile and web solutions to students, K-12 institutions, and higher education institutions. We’re one of the fastest-growing tech startups in the region, consistently charting new heights!

This position is with Kaaiser, one of the brands under Manifest Global, which also includes Cialfo, BridgeU and Explore.

About This Role

We are hiring a Sr. Manager - University Relationships to strengthen Kaaiser’s Australian university partnerships.

This is a mid-senior, high-impact role for someone who operates comfortably with university leadership, understands the commercial and strategic drivers of international recruitment, and can turn strong relationships into measurable, long-term value.

The role focuses on relationship management. You will act as a strategic partner, commercial negotiator, and long-term relationship owner, ensuring partnerships are:

Strategically aligned for the future
Commercially strong
High-performing today

What Success Looks Like

You are successful in this role if:

- Partnerships consistently deliver strong enrolment outcomes and mutual value.
- Kaaiser secures improving commercial terms, deeper collaboration, and long-term agreements.
- Relationships evolve into multi-year, outcome-driven partnerships.
- Kaaiser’s value to universities is clearly articulated, differentiated, and recognised.

This role carries clear ownership of the commercial and strategic outcomes of Kaaiser’s Australian university partnerships.

Success will be measured across:
- Delivering measurable improvement in partnership economics across the portfolio.
- Managing recruitment rights with universities.
- Building partnerships that deliver long-term revenue quality and margin improvement.

What You Will Own

Strategic University Partnerships (Australia)
- Own end-to-end relationships with Kaaiser’s key Australian university partners.
- Build deep, trusted relationships that operate at both operational and leadership levels.
- Act as the primary senior point of contact for Australian Universities.

Two-Way Value Creation
Deliver Value to Universities
- Ensure universities experience tangible value through:
  - High-quality student outcomes and conversion.
  - Strong market reach and partner distribution.
  - Market intelligence, insights, and strategic input.
  - Effective positioning of their programs in India.
- Proactively propose initiatives that improve performance (joint campaigns, pilots, insights sharing, events).
Create Strategic & Commercial Value for Kaaiser
- Lead discussions to strengthen:
  - Commission structures.
  - Contract terms and incentives.
  - Partnership frameworks and collaboration scope.
- Secure deeper engagement such as:
  - Preferred or priority partner status.
  - Joint marketing and growth initiatives.
  - Long-term partnership roadmaps.
Commercial & Contract Ownership
- Lead and manage contract negotiations and renewals in alignment with Kaaiser’s growth strategy.
- Ensure partnerships are structured for both short-term performance and long-term advantage.
- Regularly assess partnership ROI and recalibrate where value is misaligned.
Long-Term Growth & Strategic Planning
- Develop multi-year partnership strategies with key universities.
- Identify opportunities for expansion across:
  - New programs or student segments.
  - Market penetration initiatives.
  - Co-branded or strategic projects.
- Act as Kaaiser’s internal authority on Australian university partnerships and market dynamics.
Internal Collaboration & Leadership
- Work closely with sales, operations, marketing, and leadership teams to:
  - Align university expectations with execution on the ground.
  - Ensure consistency, quality, and reliability in delivery.
  - Translate partner feedback into internal improvements and growth opportunities.

About You

You are a senior, commercially-minded relationship leader who is comfortable operating with autonomy and accountability. You understand that strong partnerships are built on credibility, results, and long-term thinking.

Qualification & Experience
- Minimum 5 years of experience of representing an Australian university.
- 10+ years of experience in international education, university partnerships, or global student recruitment.
- Proven ability to manage senior stakeholders and institutional partnerships.
- Experience building and sustaining long-term, high-value partnerships.
Skills & Capabilities
- Ability to clearly articulate value propositions.
- High business judgment and long-term orientation.
- Executive presence and strong communication skills.
- Strong commercial and negotiation acumen.
- Strategic relationship management beyond transactional engagement.
- Comfortable working independently in a senior role.
Qualities
- Ownership-driven and outcome-focused.
- Trusted advisor mindset.
- Confident, credible, and composed.
- Structured thinker with strong follow-through.
- Collaborative and aligned with long-term business goals.

Why This Role Is Compelling
Ownership of Kaaiser’s most important Australian university partnerships.
High visibility and strategic influence within the organisation.
Opportunity to shape long-term partnership strategy at scale.
Work with respected global institutions in a growth-focused environment.
Role designed for impact, influence, and long-term value creation

See more open positions at Cialfo

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