Senior University Engagement Manager, Explore

This role is for Explore, established in 2025 as the university-facing brand within Manifest Global, bringing together the capabilities of Cialfo and BridgeU. We connect universities to a global network of K-12 students and counsellors, enabling earlier engagement, clearer performance visibility, and more informed international recruitment strategies. This role sits at the centre of those partnerships.

Role Overview

This is a strategic, commercially-driven partnership role, not traditional account management.

You will own relationships with a portfolio of universities, acting as a trusted advisor and growth partner — helping institutions:

• Understand performance through data
• Make better recruitment decisions
• Unlock greater value from their investment with Explore

You will combine commercial ownership, data storytelling, and strategic thinking to drive both partner success and revenue growth.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Relationship Management & Commercial Growth

• Own senior relationships with university partners, driving retention, expansion, and long-term value
• Lead commercial conversations, including renewals, upsells, and multi-year agreements
• Build and manage a robust pipeline, with clear forecasting and revenue accountability
• Develop tailored international recruitment strategies aligned to institutional goals

2. University Success & Platform Engagement

• Translate platform data into clear, actionable insights and ROI narratives
• Conduct data-led performance reviews and strategic planning sessions
• Identify engagement gaps and drive improvement across the partner lifecycle
• Act as a strategic advisor, not just a delivery partner

3. Campaign & Activity Delivery

• Oversee execution of campaign activity across your portfolio
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure high-quality, measurable outcomes
• Manage multiple priorities with strong ownership and accountability

4. Voice of the Customer

• Feed structured insights into product and marketing teams
• Shape product evolution based on real partner needs
• Build compelling case studies and success narratives demonstrating ROI
• Partner with marketing to communicate value in language universities understand

5. Commercial Discipline

• Maintain accurate pipeline visibility in CRM
• Track performance, risks, and opportunities across your portfolio
• Collaborate with the broader commercial team on high-priority accounts and strategy

What Success Looks Like

First 90 Days

• Complete a full portfolio audit (usage, contracts, goals, risks)
• Establish structured quarterly business reviews (QBRs)
• Build strong working relationships with key stakeholders

By 6 Months

• Positive trends in engagement, retention, and value delivery
• Early upsell and expansion opportunities identified and progressing
• Strong credibility with both operational and senior stakeholders
• Clear, actionable feedback loop established with product teams

About You

• 5+ years experience in:
  • University partnerships / account management
  • International education / student recruitment
  • Or related commercial roles in higher education
• Strong understanding of:
  • Undergraduate admissions and recruitment dynamics
  • University stakeholder expectations and pressures
• Highly comfortable with data and storytelling
  • Able to turn metrics into strategic narratives and decisions
• Commercially driven with the ability to:
  • Own revenue conversations
  • Drive expansion and retention
• Thrives in ambiguous, evolving environments
  • Can help define “what great looks like,” not just execute

Why Join Explore

Explore sits at the centre of a rapidly evolving international student mobility landscape.

As part of Manifest Global’s ecosystem — including Cialfo, BridgeU, and Kaaiser — you will work with:

• A global network across 150+ countries
• Deep access to K-12 and university ecosystems
• A platform combining data, distribution, and engagement

This is a moment of real momentum, with the opportunity to shape:

• How universities engage globally
• How data informs recruitment strategy
• What best-in-class partnerships look like