Job opportunity

Business Development Executive (Chinese and Asian markets)

About us

ECA Education Consultancy Ltd was established in 2015 and is based in Leeds. We are an education consultancy and guardianship provider holding AEGIS Gold Standard accreditation, and we are a Boarding Schools’ Association (BSA) Certified Guardian. We support international students and their families through UK boarding school admissions, UCAS university applications (including Oxford, Cambridge and G5 preparation), guardianship for students under 18, summer schools and academic support. Most of our clients are families from China and the wider Asian region.

The role

We are looking for a bilingual Business Development Executive to grow sales of our admissions, guardianship and academic support services to families and partner agencies in China and Asia. You will manage enquiries from first contact through to signed contract, build relationships with education agents and parent communities, and promote our services on Chinese-language platforms. You will work closely with the Director, who sets the company’s commercial strategy and targets, and with our Guardianship and Tuition teams, who deliver the services you sell.

Key responsibilities

• Sales and client acquisition: respond to enquiries from families by phone, WeChat, email and video call. Assess each student’s needs, explain and recommend suitable service packages, prepare quotations and proposals, and follow up to secure signed contracts.
• Agent and partner sales: identify and contact education agents and international schools in mainland China, Hong Kong and South-East Asia. Present ECA’s services, and handle referrals from partners under agreements approved by the Director.
• Account development: keep in regular contact with existing client families to promote renewals, additional services (such as university applications, summer schools and tutoring) and referrals.
• Promotion and content: prepare and publish sales and promotional content in Chinese and English on WeChat, Xiaohongshu (RED) and LinkedIn, working within the marketing plan and budget set by the Director.
• Events: represent ECA at education fairs, information sessions and partner events in the UK and overseas, and follow up leads generated.
• Internal coordination: pass new clients to the Guardianship and Tuition teams with accurate information about the student and the agreed services.
• Records and reporting: keep accurate records of enquiries, sales and client communications in the company CRM. Report weekly to the Director on leads, conversions and sales against target.
• Market awareness: keep up to date with UK school and university admissions, and with competitor services aimed at Chinese families, and share relevant feedback with the Director.

Essential requirements

• Fluency in Mandarin Chinese and English, written and spoken, to a professional standard.
• At least two years’ experience in sales, business development or another client-facing commercial role.
• A track record of converting enquiries into sales and meeting targets.
• Working knowledge of WeChat and Xiaohongshu for client communication and promotion.
• Strong communication, presentation and negotiation skills.
• Good organisation and record-keeping, including using a CRM or sales tracking system.
• Willingness to travel overseas for education fairs and partner visits.

Desirable

• A degree or equivalent qualification.
• Experience in international education, or in selling services to Chinese clients.
• An understanding of UK independent school and university admissions.
• Familiarity with UK guardianship and safeguarding standards.

Additional information

This role involves contact with families of children under 18, so the successful candidate will need a satisfactory Enhanced DBS check and references.

Selection is by CV shortlisting, then a first-round online interview and a second-round interview at our Leeds office.

ECA Education Consultancy Ltd is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

How to apply

Please send your CV and a covering letter to christinafu@ecaeducation.com, quoting “Business Development Executive”.