Senior Business Developer – Higher Education – Canada

Are you a senior commercial leader in international higher education?

Do you thrive on building trusted relationships with top universities?

Are you ready to shape the future of global student recruitment?

Studyportals is on a mission to bring transparency, choice, and opportunity to the world of higher education — and we’re looking for an experienced Senior Business Developer to help accelerate our growth across North America, starting from Canada.

This is a high-impact, senior role for someone who knows the international student recruitment landscape inside out and wants to leverage their network to drive meaningful, long-term partnerships.

About Studyportals

We power the world’s largest global study choice platform.

• 55 million+ unique users per year
• 3,000+ university partners
• Active in 114 countries
• 200+ colleagues, representing 40 nationalities

Our platform helps students make informed education choices — and helps universities attract, retain, and diversify high-quality international cohorts.

The Opportunity

As Senior Business Developer, you will be a key driver of our North American expansion, working closely with senior decision-makers at leading higher education institutions.

You will:

• Lead strategic, multi-level relationships with boards, presidents, provosts, and international offices
• Turn insight-led conversations into multi-year commercial partnerships
• Act as a trusted advisor to universities navigating an increasingly complex international student market

You’ll report directly to the Business Unit Director of North America, and play a central role in shaping growth strategy across the region.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Win and grow strategic partnerships with top universities across Canada and North America
• Advise institutions on international student mobility, diversification, quality, and retention
• Drive multi-stakeholder sales cycles, from first contact through negotiation, launch, and renewal
• Build long-term trust with senior leadership and decision-making units (DMUs)
• Own and grow your individual territory, while contributing to overall NA performance
• Support and collaborate with the wider North American team to hit regional growth targets
• Plan and lead client meetings, presentations, and strategic reviews
• Contribute to optimizing the full commercial cycle: lead generation, sales strategy, campaign execution, reporting, and evaluation

Who We’re Looking For

• Extensive experience in higher education, ideally within international student recruitment
• A strong existing network within universities and higher education decision-makers
• Proven success in senior-level B2B business development and complex sales cycles
• Strategic thinker with a consultative, insight-driven approach
• Canada-based and excited to help grow Studyportals’ North American footprint

Why Join Studyportals

• Work at the intersection of global education, data, and impact
• A senior role with real ownership and influence
• Collaborate with an international, ambitious, and purpose-driven team
• Help institutions worldwide make better decisions — and help students change their lives through education

Requirements

• At least 8 years of proven commercial track record within the Higher Education industry, hungry to quickly capture the market (Higher Education experience is required)
• A strong network to key decision makers (c-level) within the HE industry in NA
• Optimistic and self-disciplined high achiever with a sense of urgency and good work organization.
• Client and market share orientation; committed to create client value on the long term
• Assertive, and optimistic. Energetic and persistent, with an entrepreneurial attitude you drive for results and are 110% committed to success
• Open team player – independent yet supportive – thriving in an entrepreneurial atmosphere.
• Able to get in the minds of prospective international students. Having experienced an international study period is desired
• Eagerness to learn and grow alongside a young and dynamic company, with the ambition to quickly grow in role and responsibilities.
• Our mission and corporate values should match yours

Closing date for applications: 22nd May 2026

Benefits

• The opportunity to be a key driver in a fast‑growing, global company that creates lasting value in North America’s — and the world’s — higher education market
• A full‑time, long‑term contract role, offering stability alongside the excitement of growth
• A competitive salary with an excellent performance‑based bonus scheme
• An ambitious, informal, entrepreneurial, and flexible work environment, where self‑initiative is genuinely encouraged
• Strong focus on personal development and long‑term career growth, alongside your contribution to the business
• A company culture that is serious about having fun in everything we do
• The chance to make a positive impact and help make the world a little better through education

We are looking forward to receiving your application, but please note, that only applicants who already possess a valid work permit for the location will be considered for this role.

Studyportals is committed to safeguarding your privacy and protecting your personal data. For information on how we process the personal data included in your application please see our Privacy Notice for Applicants.

NB We will contact you via e-mail so please keep an eye on your spam folder especially if you are using Gmail.