Business Development and Marketing Officer

About the Role

• Are you a hands-on, creative, and results-driven professional? Do you thrive on building things from the ground up? We are seeking an entrepreneurial self-starter to join a new private university in Abuja as a founding member of our commercial team.
• In this dual-focused role, you will be the engine of the university's growth. You will build our brand from scratch while simultaneously driving student enrolment through innovative marketing and strategic partnerships. If you are resilient, data-driven, and enjoy the thrill of meeting targets, this is the opportunity for you.

Key Responsibilities

Business Development & Admissions:

• Build lasting relationships with schools, guidance counselors, and community stakeholders to promote the university.
• Develop partnerships with local and national companies for internship placements and sponsorship opportunities.
• Manage the student enquiry pipeline: conduct career counselling, follow up with prospective students and parents, and convert enquiries into applications and deposits.
• Recruit and manage a network of local and international education agents.
• Gather market intelligence on competitor institutions and emerging course trends.

Marketing & Brand Management:

• Execute marketing strategies to establish the university's brand as a reputable and desirable choice for higher education.
• Manage all digital channels (website, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook) to build community and generate leads.
• Run targeted paid advertising campaigns (PPC, Social Media Ads).
• Create compelling content: blog posts, short-form videos (Reels/TikToks), newsletters, and student success stories.
• Design and produce marketing collateral (brochures, flyers, digital prospectuses) ensuring brand consistency.
• Assist in building relationships with local media for positive press coverage.
• Support internal communications to foster community among the first cohorts of students and staff.

Qualifications & Experience

Essential:

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business Administration, Mass Communication, or a related field.
• Minimum of 1-3 years experience in Marketing, Business Development, or Admissions (startup experience is a significant plus).
• Proven experience managing social media platforms and creating content for a younger demographic (Gen Z).
• Experience using a CRM or Student Information System (e.g., HubSpot, Salesforce, Zoho).
• Demonstrable experience in event coordination (school fairs, exhibitions).

Desirable:

• Experience with Google Analytics and Google Ads certification.
• Ability to speak Hausa or other local languages (added advantage).

Skills & Competencies

• Communication: Exceptional interpersonal, presentation, and public speaking skills. Ability to connect with students, parents, school officials, and corporate partners.
• Digital Proficiency: Strong understanding of digital marketing metrics, SEO, and social media advertising. Proficient in Canva, CapCut/Adobe Premiere Rush.
• Sales & Business Development: Persuasive communication and relationship-building skills. Ability to handle objections and close enrolments.
• Entrepreneurial Mindset: You don't wait for instructions; you see what needs to be done and do it.
• Resilience & Grit: Capable of handling enrolment targets and building a brand from scratch.
• Creative Storyteller: Ability to capture the university experience and turn it into a compelling narrative.
• Data-Driven: Makes decisions based on campaign performance and lead conversion rates.
• Organized & Self-Motivated: Highly organized, comfortable with ambiguity, and able to work independently in a fast-paced environment.