Job Title: Head of Programs and External Relations
Location: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Employment type: Full time
Posted: April 2026
Closed: Until filled
ABOUT HKUVN
The University of Hong Kong Representative Office in Vietnam (HKUVN), located in Ho Chi Minh City, serves as a strategic hub to strengthen ties between Vietnam, Hong Kong, and the global community. Established on July 27, 2022, the office operates on three foundational pillars: Education, Research, and Impact, aiming to foster cross-border collaboration and knowledge exchange. A key focus is providing "glocal" (global + local) educational opportunities. The office facilitates prestigious, fully-funded scholarships for talented Vietnamese students to pursue master's degrees at the renowned HKU Business School. It also organizes immersion programs for HKU students in Vietnam and hosts various research workshops and seminars on current business and technology trends. By connecting with local universities and businesses, the HKU office is dedicated to nurturing talent and making a positive impact on Vietnam's growing economy and society.
Building on this strong foundation, the next strategic evolution is to transform the representative office into a regional training and policy Gateway for South East Asia and Greater China. This new Gateway will expand upon the current mission by directly delivering world-class executive education and establishing a formal think-tank for applied research. Most significantly, it will assume a new, vital role as a strategic bridge, actively fostering economic and academic collaboration between the dynamic economies of South East Asia and the Greater China market. This transformation will establish a permanent, high-impact hub for thought leadership, elite education, and cross-regional dialogue, cementing HKU's leadership in the region.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Head of Programs and External Relations assumes a pivotal role in advancing HKUVN’s mission to serve as a prominent thought leader within large institutions and the broader economy. This is achieved by spearheading the development of academic programs, with a particular emphasis on, but not limited to, post-graduate business programs, and by fostering strategic partnerships across the higher education, corporate, and public sectors. This position is responsible for leading the design and coordination of locally adapted programs, while simultaneously proactively identifying and cultivating institutional relationships that enhance the university’s visibility, relevance, and impact in Vietnam. The incumbent will serve as the primary liaison with local universities, corporations, and government bodies, ensuring a cohesive alignment between external opportunities and internal academic priorities. This role necessitates a comprehensive blend of academic insight, adept stakeholder engagement, and efficient operational execution to underpin HKUVN’s long-term growth, financial sustainability, and measurable impact within the region.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Strategic Partnership Management
- Identify and cultivate relationships with corporations, local/central government agencies, government-linked organizations, local universities, and research institutions to unlock strategic projects and funding.
- Negotiate and formalize institutional agreements (MoUs, MOAs, contracts).
- Manage end-to-end engagement with partners - from initial outreach to ongoing collaboration.
2. Stakeholder Engagement
- Represent HKUVN in meetings with ministry officials, educational institutions, and industry bodies.
- Support delegation visits, organize institutional events, and lead presentations to external stakeholders.
3. Academic Program Development
- Lead the development and localization of academic and executive education programs in collaboration with HKU’s relevant departments, with special emphasis on (but not limited to) post-graduate business programs.
- Coordinate joint initiatives such as faculty exchanges, dual degrees, short courses, and research-based training programs.
- Monitor program performance and ensure academic quality aligns with institutional standards and partner expectations.
4. Market Intelligence & Strategy
- Analyse Vietnam’s higher education, research, and training landscape to inform partnership strategy.
- Monitor competitor activities and recommend strategic positioning for the university.
- Contribute to country-level strategic planning and business development efforts.
5. Administration & Reporting
- Prepare bilingual reports, proposals, briefing notes, and presentation decks for internal leadership and external stakeholders.
- Track partnership KPIs and support grant or donor reporting if applicable.
6. Financial Sustainability & Business Development
- Drive revenue growth through executive education, customized corporate programs, and partnerships.
- Identify and pursue business development opportunities aligned with HKU’s mission.
- Contribute to pricing strategies, profitability tracking, and ROI assessment for major initiatives.
REQUIREMENTS
1. Required:
- At least master’s degree or equivalent experience in Business, Economics, International Relations, or related fields from a foreign university.
- Extensive experience in business development, client engagement with corporations, universities and institutions - ideally with international organizations or universities.
- Strong command of both English and Vietnamese (professional proficiency required).
- Deep familiarity with Vietnam’s higher education and corporate sectors.
- Excellent project management, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Strong sense of diplomacy and negotiation, with proven ability to navigate complex stakeholder environments across academia, government, and industry.
- Ability to travel.
2. Preferred:
- Prior experience working in a foreign university’s office, international NGO, or education consultancy.
- Understanding of government procedures for university partnerships, training programs, or central/regional government offices engagement.
- Experience developing and scaling programs with measurable business or financial impact is highly preferred.
What's great in the job?
● Competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.
● High visibility and influence in a growing, prestigious international organization.
● Room to experiment, learn, and help shape the marketing function from the ground up.
● Dynamic team, hybrid flexibility, and strong alignment with impact-driven work.
● State-of-the-art workplace right in the city centre.
● Healthy and proactive working environment.
● Annual leave, social insurance and health insurance as regulated by the local law and other welfare benefits.