At a Glance
- Tasks: Build relationships and engage with universities across the Pacific region.
- Company: Join a dynamic organisation focused on higher education in the Commonwealth.
- Benefits: Competitive consultancy fee, flexible working hours, and impactful work.
- Why this job: Make a difference in higher education while working in a vibrant cultural context.
- Qualifications: Experience in stakeholder engagement and understanding of higher education.
- Other info: Part-time role with opportunities for professional growth and networking.
The predicted salary is between 10800 - 17600 £ per year.
1-year fixed-term consultancy contract, starting March 2026. Part-time, ideally two half-days a week but alternative patterns will be considered. Based in a Commonwealth country in the Pacific. Fee range of £10,800 - £17,600 per year, depending on location (the appointed candidate will need to complete and comply with local tax regulations).
Summary
The Membership Engagement Lead - Pacific will be responsible for representing the ACU across the Pacific region. The role involves building relationships and strengthening engagement with the ACU's member universities and key stakeholders in the region, supporting the organisation of events, and providing country insights to support reports and briefings for ACU staff and its Secretary General and Chief Executive.
This is a part-time, fixed-term consultancy agreement for an initial 12 months, starting March 2026 and will carry a consultancy fee in the range of £10,800 - £17,600 (depending on location) per year. Invoicing will be in equal monthly instalments.
Requirements
The consultant will ideally have experience of formulating global and/or regional-specific stakeholder and/or membership engagement programmes which develop, retain and recruit members, with a focus on the Higher Education sector. The consultant will have insight on how member-led organisations can maximise services and benefits at a regional level, with experience of working within different cultural contexts. The consultancy role will suit someone who has the vision to evaluate, implement and test different ways to engage and connect our members in the region and has previous experience within the Higher Education or International Development sectors.
Key Deliverables
- Work as part of the 'Regional Engagement team' (part of the Communications & Public Affairs team within the External Affairs directorate) as 'Membership Engagement Lead - Pacific'.
- Act as the account manager for appointed member universities and potential market opportunities in Commonwealth countries in the Pacific, to support achievement of agreed membership KPIs and financial targets for the region.
- Working with Head of Membership & Events and Senior Membership Engagement Manager, use data and insights to identify risks and opportunities and manage a pipeline of prospects and maintain retention of existing members.
- Follow excellent account management principles and design a regular drumbeat of targeted communications to assigned members, e.g. deploying frequent and targeted outreach to Ambassadors or other key staff to assist them with making the most out of ACU membership, working to key moments in the ACU membership cycle e.g. Renewals Campaigns each July/August, maintaining records and updating colleagues as appropriate.
- Develop an annual engagement plan for Commonwealth countries in the Pacific. Plan and deliver engagement activities targeting the key touchpoints in ACU member universities including Vice-Chancellors/Presidents, Ambassadors, DVCs/PVCs International and Research as advised by the Senior Membership Engagement Manager.
- Identify and attend where necessary key opportunities for engagement with ACU members in the region, e.g. attending sector events, as agreed with the Senior Membership Engagement Manager and in line with the central travel planning process, or support the attendance of senior ACU staff.
- Plan and deliver regular in-person and online member gatherings, e.g. roundtables on topics related to ACU policy work, conferences, training programmes, student-centred events, incoming & outgoing delegations.
- Provide briefings and engagement reports to support meetings the ACU Secretary General or senior staff have with members in country/region.
- Support the ACU Membership and Finance teams in chasing late membership payments with members in the region, and all other aspects of the membership renewal process, through creative and personalised approaches.
- Regularly share intelligence on their region with ACU staff by way of a quarterly newsletter and ad-hoc upon request for briefings, reports, funding bids, etc.
- In consultation with the Head of Communications & Public Affairs, and respective Ambassadors establish a close working relationship with ACU member universities' Marketing and Communications teams to share news and opportunities for their internal audiences.
- Familiarise themselves with the ACU's organisational strategy 2025-30 'The Road to 2030', the ACU membership strategy 2025-30 and underpinning operational KPIs as set out in the organisation's operational plan. The Senior Membership Engagement Manager will set out key KPIs for the consultant's deliverables as part of an informal regular performance review process.
- Update the ACU's CRM, CIVI, with up-to-date contact details and other relevant updates from members on a regular basis. This will include keeping mailing lists up to date and supplying relevant up-to-date engagement reports when requested by ACU teams or members.
- Support the regional engagement work with the creation of visual assets via the ACU's Canva account, such as PowerPoint presentations, certificates, reports, social media posts – following and safeguarding the ACU's visual identity.
Applied Knowledge, Skills and Expertise
- Degree educated or equivalent experience.
- Experienced relationship manager who can develop long lasting relationships across varying levels of seniority.
- Excellent interpersonal and presentation skills including written communication.
- Strategic thinker with the ability to adapt to changing priorities.
- Commitment to teamwork, with the ability to work independently and show initiative as well as exercise sound judgement.
- A proactive approach to work, an ability to manage own workload. Respectful of pre-agreed deadlines.
- Experience of planning and delivering events.
- Understanding of basic budgeting and reporting mechanisms.
- Strong attention to detail.
- An appreciation of different cultural contexts and the ability to adapt to different communication styles.
- Understanding of, and affinity with, issues in international higher education in the Pacific region. Ideally, able to demonstrate existing or past relationship with national and international bodies.
How to apply
At the ACU, we welcome and encourage applications enquiries from everyone regardless of gender, race, religion, marital status, disability, age, and sexual orientation. Closing date: Friday 30th January 2026 at 17.00 GMT. Please send an email to juliana.bertazzo@acu.ac.uk with your CV (maximum 2 pages) and a Cover Letter (maximum 2 pages) attached as pdf files outlining your motivation for working as a consultant for the ACU and how your skills, knowledge and experience meet the criteria listed above.
Membership Engagement Lead - Pacific in London employer: The Association of Commonwealth Universities
Contact Detail:
The Association of Commonwealth Universities Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Membership Engagement Lead - Pacific in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the higher education sector. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts on LinkedIn. Building relationships is key to landing that Membership Engagement Lead role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for the Pacific region! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your understanding of the cultural contexts and challenges in the area. This will set you apart as someone who truly gets the role and its impact.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to stakeholder engagement and event management. Think about specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your skills. We want to see how you can bring value to the ACU!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the ACU team. Make sure to tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the key deliverables mentioned in the job description.
We think you need these skills to ace Membership Engagement Lead - Pacific in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Know Your Audience: Before you start writing, take a moment to understand who you're addressing. Tailor your CV and cover letter to resonate with the ACU's mission and values, especially focusing on how your experience aligns with the role of Membership Engagement Lead - Pacific.
Be Concise and Clear: Keep your CV and cover letter to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon. Remember, we want to see your skills and experiences shine through without wading through unnecessary fluff!
Showcase Relevant Experience: Highlight your past experiences that directly relate to stakeholder engagement and event planning in the higher education sector. We’re looking for specific examples that demonstrate your ability to build relationships and manage projects effectively.
Apply Through Our Website: Make sure to submit your application via our website. It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Association of Commonwealth Universities
✨Know Your Audience
Before the interview, research the ACU and its mission in the Pacific region. Understand their values and how they engage with member universities. This will help you tailor your responses to show that you're aligned with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Relationship Management Skills
Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully built and maintained relationships in previous roles. Highlight your experience in stakeholder engagement, especially within the higher education sector, as this is crucial for the Membership Engagement Lead position.
✨Demonstrate Cultural Awareness
Given the diverse cultural contexts in the Pacific, be ready to discuss how you've adapted your communication style in different environments. Share experiences that showcase your understanding of cultural nuances and how they impact engagement strategies.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Anticipate questions about how you would handle specific challenges related to membership engagement. Think through potential scenarios, such as managing late payments or planning events, and outline your strategic approach to these situations.
