Senior Business Development Manager- Australia

PeopleCert is seeking an accomplished Senior Business Development Manager to lead the strategic expansion of the LANGUAGECERT portfolio across Australia and New Zealand. This is a high-impact commercial leadership role responsible for driving sustainable revenue growth, developing strategic partnerships, influencing key stakeholders across the education ecosystem, and executing market expansion initiatives aligned with PeopleCert's global growth strategy.

Leveraging a deep understanding of PeopleCert's business objectives, go-to-market strategy, and the evolving international education landscape, you will build and nurture executive-level relationships with universities, governments, regulators, education providers, pathway institutions, language schools, corporate organisations, and strategic partners. You will identify new market opportunities, shape long-term partnerships, and position LANGUAGECERT as the preferred provider of English language qualifications and Secure English Language Tests (SELT).

The successful candidate will lead the commercial development of the LANGUAGECERT portfolio, including its UKVI-approved SELT qualifications, while playing a strategic role in strengthening brand recognition, institutional adoption, and long-term market leadership.

As a Senior Business Development Manager, your responsibilities will include:

• Develop and execute the regional commercial strategy to accelerate revenue growth and expand LANGUAGECERT's market share across Australia and New Zealand.
• Build, manage and maintain a robust pipeline of strategic business opportunities, ensuring consistent achievement of ambitious revenue and growth targets.
• Establish trusted relationships with senior decision-makers, including Vice Chancellors, Pro Vice Chancellors, Deans, Registrars, Directors of International Education, government agencies, regulators, corporate clients and education networks.
• Lead the acquisition, negotiation and management of high-value strategic partnerships with universities, language schools, pathway providers, study abroad agencies, immigration advisers, corporate organisations and other key stakeholders.
• Develop and execute the regional commercial strategy to accelerate revenue growth and expand LANGUAGECERT's market share across Australia and New Zealand.
• Build, manage and maintain a robust pipeline of strategic business opportunities, ensuring consistent achievement of ambitious revenue and growth targets.
• Establish trusted relationships with senior decision-makers, including Vice Chancellors, Pro Vice Chancellors, Deans, Registrars, Directors of International Education, government agencies, regulators, corporate clients and education networks.
• Lead the acquisition, negotiation and management of high-value strategic partnerships with universities, language schools, pathway providers, study abroad agencies, immigration advisers, corporate organisations and other key stakeholders.
• Drive institutional adoption of LANGUAGECERT qualifications by working with universities to: Increase recognition and acceptance of LANGUAGECERT qualifications. Embed LANGUAGECERT assessments within academic programmes and curriculum. Develop collaborative initiatives in research, innovation and future educational partnerships.
• Identify emerging market trends, competitive threats and new growth opportunities, providing strategic market intelligence to regional and global leadership.
• Design and execute regional market development initiatives, including strategic campaigns, recognition programmes, thought leadership activities and executive engagement events.
• Develop and implement innovative channel development strategies that strengthen partner capability, improve market coverage and accelerate business growth.
• Lead complex commercial negotiations and partnership agreements, ensuring mutually beneficial long-term relationships.
• Collaborate closely with Marketing, Product, Operations, Customer Success and Global Commercial teams to deliver integrated go-to-market initiatives and exceptional customer experiences.
• Provide accurate sales forecasting, business planning and performance reporting, using CRM and market analytics to drive informed decision-making.
• Represent PeopleCert and LANGUAGECERT at major industry conferences, government forums, university events and international education exhibitions, acting as a senior brand ambassador.
• Champion customer success by proactively addressing strategic partner needs and working cross-functionally to resolve complex commercial issues.
• Mentor and support junior commercial colleagues where appropriate, contributing to the development of a high-performing regional sales culture.
• Identify emerging market trends, competitive threats and new growth opportunities, providing strategic market intelligence to regional and global leadership.
• Design and execute regional market development initiatives, including strategic campaigns, recognition programmes, thought leadership activities and executive engagement events.
• Develop and implement innovative channel development strategies that strengthen partner capability, improve market coverage and accelerate business growth.
• Lead complex commercial negotiations and partnership agreements, ensuring mutually beneficial long-term relationships.
• Collaborate closely with Marketing, Product, Operations, Customer Success and Global Commercial teams to deliver integrated go-to-market initiatives and exceptional customer experiences.
• Provide accurate sales forecasting, business planning and performance reporting, using CRM and market analytics to drive informed decision-making.
• Represent PeopleCert and LANGUAGECERT at major industry conferences, government forums, university events and international education exhibitions, acting as a senior brand ambassador.
• Champion customer success by proactively addressing strategic partner needs and working cross-functionally to resolve complex commercial issues.
• Mentor and support junior commercial colleagues where appropriate, contributing to the development of a high-performing regional sales culture.
• Ensure alignment with company values — Quality, Innovation, Passion, Integrity, Clarity, and Velocity.

What we are looking for:

• Bachelor's degree required; postgraduate qualification (MBA or equivalent) would be advantageous.
• 12+ years of progressive business development, strategic partnerships or commercial leadership experience with a proven record of delivering significant revenue growth.
• Based in Australia or New Zealand, with the ability to travel extensively across the region.
• Demonstrated success in building and managing executive-level relationships and closing complex, multi-stakeholder commercial agreements.
• Extensive experience within the English language education, international education, assessment, certification, higher education, EdTech or professional qualifications sectors.
• Strong experience working with universities and higher education institutions, including familiarity with international education partnerships and transnational education programmes. Experience with Sino-foreign educational cooperation programmes would be highly desirable.
• Deep understanding of channel development, strategic partnerships, consultative selling, solution-based sales methodologies and market expansion strategies.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to identify new market opportunities, develop business cases and influence strategic decision-making.
• Outstanding stakeholder management, communication, presentation and negotiation skills, with the confidence to engage senior executives, government officials and institutional leaders.
• Experience working within global, matrixed organisations and collaborating across multicultural teams.
• Highly analytical, strategic and results-oriented, with experience in business planning, sales forecasting and CRM-driven pipeline management.
• Advanced written and spoken English (C2 level certification desired, LANGUAGECERT C2 LTE or C2 IESOL certificate would be a plus).
• Advanced computer literacy is required. ECDL Advance level certification is desirable.
• Experience in Microsoft Dynamics CRM or similar software will be considered an asset.

What we offer:

· Competitive remuneration package

· Work in an international, dynamic and fun atmosphere

· Two free vouchers for all certifications from PeopleCert's Portfolio per year for all employees

· Huge learning experience in using best practices and global environment

· Constant personal and professional development

· 100% Virtual Hiring Process