Associate Head International Recruitment and Partnerships, China supporting BIMM University

The Programme Manager will represent BIMM University in China through Grok Global’s Program Office model, providing a dedicated in-country presence to deliver student recruitment, marketing, and partnership activity.

The role is responsible for building a sustainable pipeline of high-quality applicants, strengthening institutional visibility, and developing strategic relationships with agents, schools, partners, and relevant stakeholders in China. The postholder will operate as an integrated member of BIMM University’s international recruitment team, while being employed locally and compliantly by Grok Global.

About Grok Global Services

Founded in 2005, Grok Global Services is a best-in-class provider of international engagement services for higher education institutions. By joining our team, you will be working in a supportive environment full of like-minded professionals, each committed to advancing the internationalization of higher education institutions from around the world. A pioneer of in-country staffing in the international education sector, Grok remains at the forefront of this model and currently delivers this service across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas. The company also boasts industry-leading divisions in digital marketing and strategic consulting.

About BIMM University

BIMM has a long history in the creative arts.

From our beginnings as Drumtech in London in 1983 to the acquisition of MetFilm School in 2024, our journey has been one of continual growth.

We have campuses in nine locations – Birmingham, Brighton, Bristol, Essex, Leeds, London, Manchester, Dublin and Berlin – and are proud to be a leading provider of contemporary music, film, creative technology and performing arts education in Europe. 

We have over 40 years of experience helping students launch successful careers in the creative industries. We offer a broad range of higher education courses including undergraduate degrees, the Trinity Professional Performing Diploma and Master's courses.

Beyond academic life, BIMM University offers a community built on a shared passion, creativity, and belief system. Our inclusive culture is at the core of everything we do, binding us together and driving us forward.

Key Accountabilities

Student Recruitment & Counselling

Promote BIMM University and counsel prospective students and their families on appropriate courses and pathways.

Ensure that only credible and genuine students are encouraged to apply.

Maintain regular dialogue with BIMM’s internal teams, including the Head of International Recruitment and Partnerships, and submit all enquiries through agreed institutional channels.

Provide accurate, timely information to students throughout the recruitment cycle, ensuring a high standard of applicant experience.

Marketing & Lead Generation

Develop and deliver an annual marketing and recruitment plan for China, including clearly costed lead-generation activity.

Plan and support promotional events, school and partner visits, conversion activities, and external stakeholder engagement.

Coordinate closely with Grok Global’s marketing infrastructure and BIMM colleagues to ensure alignment of messaging and brand.

Maintain and regularly update all marketing and promotional materials to ensure accuracy and relevance.

Data, CRM & Conversion

Build and maintain a database of leads, enquiries, applicants, and partners in line with BIMM’s CRM and data requirements.

Adhere at all times to UK GDPR and Chinese Data Protection rules and regulations.

Proactively follow up enquiries to support conversion from enquiry to enrolment.

Complete evaluation and performance reports on recruitment and marketing activities, demonstrating outcomes and return on investment.

Inform BIMM of emerging recruitment opportunities, competitor activity, and changes in the local market.

Visits, Events & Stakeholder Engagement

Organise itineraries and logistics for BIMM staff visiting China, including meetings, interviews, auditions, and events.

Accompany BIMM staff on visits where required and arrange appropriate facilities for applicant interviews and auditions.

Represent BIMM University at visits to schools, colleges, universities, fairs, and exhibitions.

Represent BIMM in meetings with appropriate government agencies and external bodies where relevant.

Build, source, and manage a trusted network of recruitment agents, schools, and partners on behalf of BIMM University.

Applications & Admissions Support

The Programme Manager will support applicants through the full application process, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and quality.

Assess prospective students’ academic background and English language proficiency for course suitability.

Check that students and/or their parents or legal guardians possess sufficient funds to cover tuition fees and living costs.

Submit complete applications via BIMM’s application portal or UCAS.

Collect, verify, and submit all required documentation, including certified translations where required.

Ensure applicants are informed of, and attend, any required interviews or auditions.

Promptly communicate all admissions decisions made by BIMM University.

Enrolment & Visa Support

Where a place is accepted, ensure tuition fees are paid in line with BIMM requirements.

Liaise with BIMM’s Immigration and Compliance team to support students with CAS issuance and visa documentation.

Assist applicants through the student visa process.

Communicate any visa refusals to BIMM promptly, providing supporting evidence.

Professional Standards & Development

Attend BIMM-delivered training and updates to maintain a thorough and current understanding of the institution and its portfolio.

Comply with BIMM’s ethical recruitment standards and relevant UK and local regulations.

Undertake any additional duties agreed in writing with the Head of International Recruitment and Partnerships.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria 

Proven experience in international student recruitment, education marketing, or partnership development (preferably within UK higher education).

Strong understanding of the China education market, including agents, schools, and pathways.

Experience advising students and families on course choice, admissions, and visa processes.

Ability to manage recruitment pipelines, data, CRM activity, and reporting effectively.

Full professional proficiency in both Mandarin Chinese and English (spoken and written).

Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills across cultures.

High levels of professionalism, integrity, and cultural awareness.

Willingness to travel within China and occasionally internationally

Desirable Criteria

Ability to communicate in additional languages (e.g. Cantonese, Korean, Japanese, or other regional languages).

Experience working with specialist, creative arts, or practice-based institutions.

Experience of the film, performance, games tech or music industries within China or the neighbouring region.

Familiarity with UCAS and UK university admissions systems.

Experience working within an Employer of Record or in-country representative model.

Existing networks with schools, agents, or institutional partners in China.