IELTS Business Development Manager

About IDP

IDP is the global leader in international education services, delivering global success to students, test takers and our partners, through trusted human relationships, digital technology and customer research. An Australian-listed company, we operate in more than 50 countries around the world.

Our team is comprised of over 7,000 people of various nationalities, ages and cultural backgrounds. Proudly customer-first, our expert people are powered by global technology. Together, we offer unmatched services, helping local dreams become realities, all over the world.

Learn more at www.careers.idp.com

Role purpose

The Business Development Manager is responsible for driving IELTS volume growth in the Northern region, strengthening strategic partnerships, expanding market presence, and leading a high-performing business development team. The role works closely with partners, education authorities, and internal stakeholders to deliver sustainable growth while ensuring quality, compliance, and outstanding customer experience aligned with global IELTS and IDP standards.

Key accountabilities

Business Growth & Planning

• Develop and execute B2B business development strategies to drive IELTS volume growth in the Northern region, with a strong focus on schools, universities, English centres, corporate and institutional partners.
• Identify new institutional opportunities, partnership models, and collaboration initiatives that increase IELTS adoption and test volume across education and organisational channels.
• Monitor partner performance, market trends, competitor activity, and regulatory developments.

Partner & Stakeholder Management

• Build and manage strong relationships with universities, schools, English centers, and other education partners.
• Develop engagement plans and joint initiatives to increase the value of existing partners and attract new partners.
• Build relationships and plan key collaborative activities with Departments of Education and Training (DOETs) in the Northern region.

Events & Market Activation

• Plan and execute events, workshops, and promotional activities to support partners, teachers, and students.
• Represent IELTS IDP at education events, partner meetings, and industry forums.

Team Leadership & Capability Development

• Set clear goals, KPIs, and development plans for the business development team.
• Lead, coach, and train team members to strengthen sales capability, partner management, and market execution.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture focused on growth, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Quality, Compliance & Customer Experience

• Ensure all business development activities comply with IELTS and IDP global standards, policies, and regulations.
• Champion quality assurance and risk management across partners activities.
• Deliver a 5-star customer experience to partners

Cross-functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Marketing, Finance, People Experience, Operations, and other internal teams to deliver integrated, high-impact outcomes.
• Contribute to broader business initiatives and strategic projects as required.

Required experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Economics, Finance, or a related field (postgraduate qualification is an advantage).
• A minimum of 8 years’ experience in business development, at least 5 of which must be in a managerial/team leading position.
• Excellent understanding of sales and marketing principles with proven records of sale target achievements.
• Experience in education services, English learning, or testing environments in Vietnam (Northern region experience preferred).
• Excellent communication, presentation, and negotiation skills in both English and Vietnamese.
• Strong relationship-building skills with the ability to engage senior stakeholders and external partners.
• High level of initiative, commercial acumen, and drive to explore new opportunities and grow the business.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and innovatively in assessing opportunities and driving change.
• Customer-focused mindset with a passion for delivering outstanding service.
• Strong integrity, sound judgment, and the ability to make decisions responsibly.