Senior Manager - Global Engagement and Mobility

Sunway University; Subang Jaya; On-site; MYR 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious Malaysian university is looking for a candidate to support strategic partnerships with Chinese institutions as part of its global engagement mission. This role involves managing partnerships, providing policy intelligence, and supporting senior leadership in engagements. Ideal candidates should have a Bachelor's or higher degree, relevant experience in international partnerships, and fluency in Mandarin and English. Strong project management and communication skills are essential for this impactful position.

Qualifications

• Experience in international partnerships or global engagement.
• Experience working with Chinese universities or government-linked organizations.
• Ability to draft bilingual communications and reports.

Responsibilities

• Support the design and implementation of the Global Engagement Mission.
• Serve as the Secretariat to the China Global Engagement Taskforce.
• Develop and manage strategic partnerships with Chinese institutions.

Skills

Fluency in Mandarin and English

Strong communication and negotiation skills

Project management capabilities

Relationship-building skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree (preferred)

Job description

As part of its internationalisation and global engagement strategy, Sunway University is prioritising the development and strengthening of strategic, high-quality partnerships with China to advance its institutional reputation, academic excellence, innovation agenda, and talent pipelines. The partnerships will encompass a broad ecosystem of partners, including universities, government agencies, regulators, schools, research institutes, industry-linked platforms, and other strategic stakeholders that can support Sunway University’s short- and long‑term growth mission. The postholder plays a strategic and catalytic role in advancing Sunway University’s China internationalisation agenda by supporting leadership‑level engagement, building and stewarding meaningful institutional partnerships, and translating institutional strategy into well‑coordinated, high‑impact initiatives aligned with Sunway University’s priorities.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic China Partnership

Support the design and implementation of the Global Engagement Mission aligned with the University’s internationalisation strategy.

Serve as the Secretariat to the China Global Engagement Taskforce (China-GET), providing central coordination, governance, strategic briefings, cross‑unit alignment, action tracking and reporting to ensure coherence, accountability and impact.

Identify, develop and manage strategic partnership with leading Chinese universities, research institutes, innovation hubs, industry‑linked platforms, government‑linked agencies and education bodies in China.

Support the development of high‑quality, reputation‑building collaborations, e.g. joint academic programmes (dual awards, etc.), research collaboration, talent development and innovation initiatives, and flagship projects that enhance global visibility and impact.

Strategic Planning & Leadership Support

Provide policy, sectoral, and ecosystem intelligence on China’s higher education, research, and innovation landscape to inform institutional strategy and decision‑making.

Prepare strategic briefs, concept notes, proposals, partnership frameworks, and leadership‑level briefing materials.

Support the senior leaders in high‑level meetings, strategic dialogues, institutional visits, delegations, and engagements with China‑based partners.

Track progress, outcomes, and impact of China‑related initiatives and provide regular reporting aligned with University goals.

Project Management & Cross‑Unit Coordination

Ensure alignment across units involving faculties, research centres, support services and other external partners with institutional priorities.

Ensure the initiatives are supported by clear governance structure, documentation, follow‑through and well‑coordinated.

Communication, Global Engagement, Mobility & Representation

Act as key institutional liaison between Sunway University and China‑based partners.

Draft, review and manage bilingual communications, including official correspondence, MoUs, presentations and reports.

Represent Sunway University in engagement events and activities and ensure consistency with the University’s brand, values and strategic positioning.

Support and coordinate strategic visits and delegations to and from China and university‑led forums, summits and other joint‑events.

Travel to China and the region to support partnership development, implementation and relationship building.

Support initiatives that enhance global exposure, mobility, employability and talent development pathways for Sunway staff and students.

Requirements

A Bachelor’s degree is required; a Master’s degree is preferred (International Relations, Education, Management, Business, Public Policy, or related fields).

Demonstrable experience in one or more of these areas: (i) International partnerships, global engagement, or institutional strategy; (ii) Higher education, research, innovation, or related ecosystems; and (iii) China‑focused roles or organisations with substantive China engagement.

Prior experience working with Chinese universities, institutions, or government‑linked organisations, senior academics, university leaders, and external stakeholders.

Familiarity with joint programmes, research collaboration frameworks, or innovation partnerships.

Fluency in Mandarin and English (spoken, written, and reading), demonstrated ability to operate confidently in bilingual, cross‑cultural, and senior‑level environments. Strong understanding of Chinese institutional, cultural, and professional contexts.

Experience supporting senior leadership offices or institutional strategy functions, with the ability to translate institutional vision into executable initiatives.

Strong communication, negotiation, and relationship‑building skills with high level of professionalism, diplomacy, and discretion.

Excellent project management and coordination capability, with attention to outcomes and detail and strong sense of ownership, accountability, and delivery discipline.

Strong writing skills for strategy documents, proposals, reports, and presentations.

Proactive, adaptable, and solutions‑oriented, and able to work independently and collaboratively in a dynamic, fast‑moving environment.

Willingness to travel and work across time zones as required.

We thank all applicants for expressing their interest in this vacancy. Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be notified.