Program Manager (Executive Postgraduate Degree Program) - School of Business and Management

Department: Office of the Dean of Business and Management

Job Posting Details

Position Overview

Are you ready to elevate your career by managing an elite academic portfolio? We are seeking a motivated, high-caliber professional to join the HKUST Business School as a Program Manager for our prestigious international postgraduate degree program designed specifically for C-suite and senior executive leaders.

Reporting directly to the Program Director, you will be the operational backbone of the program and the primary ambassador for our elite student cohort. This role requires exceptional interpersonal skills, proactive service capability, and the ability to maintain continuous, high-touch executive relationships, while flawlessly executing program operations during periodic intensive teaching modules.

Key Responsibilities

Executive Student Experience & Relationship Management:

• Serve as the primary liaison and trusted point of contact for senior executive students and world-class faculty.
• Lead student engagement from onboarding through graduation, ensuring a smooth, highly personalized, and high-touch service experience.
• Proactively manage multi-channel student communications (including program’s official instant messaging platforms like WeChat, WhatsApp and email), providing timely responsiveness and professional resolutions to inquiries, especially during modular execution periods.

Academic Operations & On-site Delivery:

• Oversee comprehensive course planning for different cohorts, scheduling, and learning logistics in close coordination with faculty, teaching assistants, and vendor teams.
• Provide flawless on-site and operational support during residential/modular teaching blocks, including weekend and evening class sessions.
• Track and maintain accurate student academic records, attendance, and faculty engagement with meticulous attention to detail.

Program Administration & Strategic Support:

• Assist the Program Director in monitoring operational budgets, vendor management, and administrative logistics.
• Support marketing and admissions initiatives occasionally to engage prospective high-profile applicants.
• Lead ad-hoc projects, and special student/faculty events as assigned.

What We’re Looking For

Education & Experience: A Bachelor’s degree (preferably in Business, Hospitality, or Communications) with 10+ years of experience in executive education, client relationship management, premium hospitality, or high-end public sector operations.

• Prior experience in student operations, academic administration, or a similar capacity is highly preferred, and a strong understanding of the student lifecycle and program logistics will be considered a distinct advantage.
• Candidates with fewer than 10 years of experience who possess exceptionally strong, directly relevant expertise in high-touch executive operations are also welcome to apply.

Meticulous Attention to Detail: Demonstrates rigorous accuracy and high standards in managing comprehensive administrative workflows, communications, and records. Ensures flawless execution of program logistics and maintains impeccable, up-to-date student and faculty records.

Executive Service Mindset: Exceptional client-centric focus with a strong track record of serving C-level executives or high-net-worth clients with tact, empathy, and professional maturity.

Tech & Channel Savvy: Adept at navigating a dynamic landscape of AI tools to streamline administrative workflows and enhance communications. Highly proficient in modern communication tools, including WeChat, WhatsApp, and other instant messaging/social platforms used for executive community building.

Accountability & Ownership: A proactive self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced environment. Takes full ownership of responsibilities and tackles challenges with a solutions-oriented mindset and quick problem-solving skills.

Collaborative Leadership & Stakeholder Management: A highly collaborative leader who fosters a positive, cooperative working environment. Serving as a key bridge within the team, possesses the dual ability to manage upward effectively while providing clear direction and support to junior staff.

Executive Communication Skills: Demonstrates exceptional communication skills, capable of building strong, professional relationships and navigating complex interactions with diverse, high-level stakeholders, including senior executive students, faculty members, and external partners. Capable of handling conflict with empathy and sensitivity.

Work Efficiency & Time Management: Demonstrates exceptional organizational skills with a proven ability to prioritize competing demands and manage multiple projects simultaneously. Excels in a fast-paced environment, consistently adhering to critical program milestones and deadlines to ensure smooth operational flow.

Language & Communication: Excellent command of written and spoken English and Chinese (Cantonese and Putonghua).

Work Flexibility: Flexibility to work during evenings, weekends, and modular teaching weekends as required by the program’s schedule. (Flexi-time/time-off-in-lieu will be provided).

Contract Duration & Benefits

• Appointment: 2-year renewable contract, subject to mutual agreement and performance.
• Package: Competitive remuneration package matching university standards, with trust-based flexible working arrangements for off-hour duties.

Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.

(Information provided by applicants will be used for recruitment and other employment-related purposes. Applicants should read the Personal Information Collection Statement before submission of application.)

HKUST is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to our core values of inclusiveness, diversity, and respect.