Placement International

Role Description The New Zealand Internship program Manager is a high-growth, strategic role focused entirely on acquiring, developing, and managing B2B relationships with premium hospitality properties across New Zealand. As the primary market architect, you will be responsible for pitching Placement International’s services to luxury hotels, boutique lodges, and high-end restaurants, securing exclusive placement partnerships for international students and interns. This role requires a hunter mindset blended with sophisticated account management skills. You will navigate New Zealand's hospitality landscape, understand local properties' operational talent shortages, and align them with our global talent pool while ensuring a seamless onboarding and visa compliance process. Key Responsibilities - Market Expansion & Business Development - Property Acquisition: Proactively identify, pitch, and secure new partnership agreements with 4-5 star hotels, luxury lodges, and premium restaurant groups across New Zealand. - Pipeline Management: Build and maintain a robust sales pipeline of prospective host properties, conducting cold outreach, high-level presentations, and site visits. - Industry Networking: Represent Placement International at New Zealand hospitality forums, tourism conferences, and industry events to build brand equity and authority. - Strategic Relationship & Account Management - Client Retention: Act as the primary dedicated liaison for all New Zealand host properties, ensuring high satisfaction, retention, and repeat placement seasonal cycles. - Needs Assessment: Conduct regular consultations with hotel HR directors and General Managers to accurately forecast their seasonal staffing and operational needs. - Negotiate partnership agreements: Identify recruitment needs within hotels. - Onboarding & Compliance Guidance: Educate and guide New Zealand host employers on local international student work rights, Visa parameters, and relevant immigration pathways to ensure fully compliant student placements. - Candidate Assessment & Development - Precision Matching: Assess and match international hospitality students with New Zealand properties and placement offerings that align perfectly with their career aspirations and skill sets. - New Zealand Program Design: Develop and create structured template training and placement plans tailored to New Zealand hospitality industry standards and local visa regulations. - Coaching & Preparation: Conduct mock interviews and provide ongoing guidance to ensure candidates are well-prepared for their interviews with New Zealand luxury properties. - Continuous Screening: Oversee CV screening workflows and maintain active, engaging communication with the international talent pool destined for the New Zealand market. - Event Management & Outreach - Recruitment Events: Organize and manage dedicated New Zealand recruitment fairs and virtual events to connect premium brands with high-caliber global talent. - Educational Partnerships: Coordinate international school visits and webinars to promote New Zealand career opportunities and actively recruit high-potential students. - Global Coordination: Liaise with global Placement International offices to synchronize recruitment efforts, share market demands, and execute large-scale placement events. - Data-Driven Strategy & Reporting - Market Intelligence: Track and report on New Zealand hospitality industry trends, labor shortages, and competitive positioning. - Performance Metrics: Utilize CRM tools to monitor account health, track time-to-fill metrics for properties, and deliver transparent ROI and market growth reports to executive leadership. Qualifications - Experience: 3–4+ years of proven experience in B2B Business Development, Strategic Account Management, or Corporate Partnerships, ideally within the luxury hospitality, tourism, or international recruitment sectors. - Market Knowledge: Deep understanding of the New Zealand hospitality landscape (e.g., key regions like Auckland, Queenstown, Rotorua, Wellington) and familiarity with New Zealand visa categories (Working Holiday Visas, Student Visa work conditions) is highly preferred. - Sales & Influence Capability: Excellent negotiation and pitching skills with a track record of closing corporate contracts and influencing C-suite or HR executives. - Communication Skills: Exceptional verbal and written English communication skills; ability to articulate complex service structures clearly. - Interpersonal Savvy: Outstanding relationship-building skills, with a genuine passion for hospitality and cultural exchange programs. - Self-Motivation: A highly organized self-starter capable of working autonomously, managing tight deadlines, and driving targets in an expanding territory market. - Technical Proficiency: Strong command of CRM systems and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) for reporting and tracking. Benefits - 100% Remote position - Performance-based role with business development and partnership growth targets. - Collaborative international team environment with opportunities for professional growth and career development.