School Development Manager

JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title: School Development Manager, Pune Department / Business Unit: Cambridge International Location: Pune, Maharashtra Reports to: Regional Manager, West India We are Cambridge University Press & Assessment, a world-leading academic publisher and assessment organisation. We are part of the University of Cambridge, UK. JOB PURPOSE Lead school development activities for Cambridge International Qualifications in Pune and Rest of Maharashtra (except Mumbai), with a primary focus on the school market. This includes providing essential support and world-class service to both aspiring and existing schools. The role involves close collaboration with schools, educational organisations, regulatory bodies, and the broader community to ensure the successful implementation and growth of Cambridge International's offerings. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES Core accountabilities Implementation of regional strategy, school development, and customer relationships Drive the growth of the school market in line with the regional strategy and corporate guidelines. Build and maintain strong, long-lasting relationships with both new and existing Cambridge schools and associates to foster loyalty to Cambridge International. Develop and nurture relationships with key stakeholders, including schools, government education departments, universities, and other relevant organizations, to support the ongoing growth of Cambridge in the region. Ensure accurate and up-to-date records of all relationships with schools and stakeholders are maintained on the CRM system and identify necessary follow-up actions. Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive school acquisition strategy for Cambridge International qualifications. Collaborate closely with the Regional Manager to develop and implement an effective go-to-market strategy for the region. . Raising our profile in international education Identify opportunities to increase awareness of Cambridge products and services through active participation in educational seminars, conferences, and other relevant events. Represent Cambridge at exhibitions, seminars, conferences, and other events, delivering presentations or speeches as needed. Collaborate with the marketing team to design and execute campaigns aimed at raising awareness and generating leads. . Compliance with protocols Ensure that all activities are conducted in accordance with group processes, including legal, financial, tax, HR, and local policies and procedures. Ensure that expenses are recorded accurately and in compliance with internal guidelines. . Liaison with and support for regional and head office colleagues Provide regular feedback to Cambridge, sharing insights on key developments such as changes in state/national education policy, media commentary, trends in school requests, and competitor activity. Support and assist colleagues with compliance, inspections, registrations, new products and services, training, marketing, events, surveys, and other school-related matters. . Other projects and support as agreed with your reporting manager. Undertake any additional duties or projects as reasonably requested by your reporting manager, in alignment with the role's responsibilities. Country/regional-specific accountabilities. . Build recognition in your location. · Focus on gaining and improving university recognition while raising the profile of our programmes and qualifications within the tertiary education sector in the region. . Collaboration with other Cambridge departments Understand and promote English Qualifications, Press products, and services where appropriate, to support collaboration and growth across departments. Accountability % of time · Implementation of regional strategy, business development, and customer relationships · Account Management · Strategy Development · Raising our profile in international education KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE Qualifications A graduate qualification or equivalent demonstrable experience, preferably with a post-graduate qualification in an education-related field or equivalent experience Skills Essential Ability to develop ongoing relationships with our customers at a senior level as well as with government officials and other stakeholders. Proven business development experience in international education. Ability to create and implement long-term strategic plans for school development, ensuring alignment with overall goals. Ability to provide personalised and high-level service to Cambridge schools and customers, ensuring they receive the support and resources necessary to enhance their educational offerings. Attention to detail and accuracy and ensuring that schools receive a quick response to all correspondence. Ability to conduct market research to identify growth opportunities, assess competitors, and stay ahead of trends within international education to inform business development strategies. Capability to handle unforeseen challenges, address issues promptly, and develop solutions that ensure minimal disruption to operations. Excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to adapt to rapidly changing educational environments and solve complex issues related to curriculum delivery or stakeholder management. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively within a team. Ability to work in a multi-cultural and collaborative environment. Confident communication and excellent presentation skills. Fluency in English, Hindi, and Telugu, both written and oral. Good proven IT skills, including knowledge of MS Word, Excel, and Outlook. Excellent negotiation skills. Proficiency in using data analytics to track school performance, identify trends, and implement strategies that improve both academic outcomes and operational efficiency across schools in the region. Strong skills in organizing educational events, conferences, or forums to engage stakeholders, educators, and potential schools, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange within the Cambridge community. Experience Essential Strong familiarity with regional education systems and international education frameworks. Proven experience in business development within the education sector. Expertise in negotiating contracts, building lasting relationships, and familiarity with CRM systems. Desirable · Knowledge of Cambridge programmes and qualifications (IGCSE, A Level, etc.). · Technical knowledge of assessment practices and key educational issues. · Experience working within an international organization. Behaviors Proactive approach Passionate about education Accountability Self-starter Collaboration Adaptability Cultural sensitivity Tact and diplomacy Resilience Continuous learning mindset Ethical integrity Cambridge University Press & Assessment is committed to being a place where anyone can enjoy a successful career, where it's safe to speak up, and where we learn continuously to improve together. We welcome applications from all candidates, regardless of demographic characteristics (age, disability, educational attainment, ethnicity, gender, marital status, neurodiversity, religion, sex, and sexual identity), cultural, or social class/background. We believe that diversity of thought, background, and approach creates better outcomes. More importantly, fostering an inclusive culture is the right thing to do, and it's part of how we achieve our purpose: to contribute to society through the pursuit of education, learning and research at the highest international levels of excellence. Ensuring that anyone, no matter who they are, feels they belong here is an essential part of who we are and the contribution we make to society, and to our planet. To enable an environment in which our people can thrive, our customers benefit, and where work complements life, we empower everyone to manage their time and capacity and to prioritise their well-being. That's why from day one everyone at Cambridge University Press & Assessment can discuss flexible working options to find the best solution for them and their role.