GOING GLOBAL WITH LOCAL REPRESENTATION
Discover Acumen North America:
• Presence
• Consultancy and Research
• PACE Enrolment Services
Meet Team North America
KateBarnes
Executive Director, UK and Europe
Kate has built a diverse career in international student recruitment and admissions, with a strong focus on developing international strategies for UK and European higher education institutions. Supports international universities looking to expand their North American reach.
Katie Landrey
Partner Success Director, North America
Katie leverages her extensive background in higher education and coaching to support partners and manage in-country representatives in the United States, fostering environments that promote growth and goal achievement.
Manages North American Delivery ICRs and service delivery.
Roger Brindley
President North America
Dr. Roger Brindley has advanced global education and international partnerships through his leadership roles at Penn State and the University of South Florida.
Leads North American partnership development and market expertise.
Jon Ridinger
Administrative Support Supervisor, North America
Jon is an education professional specialising in operations management and support.
Manages North American operations and logistics.
“I cannot recommend enough that every person should spend some time outside the US at least once in their life. International education is life changing; when you return you might come back with a new career in mind or come back as a new person with a whole new global perspective.
Ashley Gordon Study Abroad Officer supporting Queen Mary University, London
Acumen staff in Baltimore, Maryland ahead of the NACAC conference
Presence: In-Country Representation
For over 16 years, Acumen Presence has gone beyond simply recruiting and paying staff members overseas.
At the heart of what we do is our InCountry Representation (ICR) services.
The day, on-the-ground support of our university partners, provided directly within their choice destination country, by our team of experienced Higher Education professionals.
With a deep understanding of the North American education sector and extensive local networks, our team offer unparalleled expertise. We provide strategic guidance on recruitment initiatives, partnerships, and alumni development for all study
levels and programmes, including study abroad. Partners also benefit from participation in Acumen North American consortia events and insight webinars with guest speakers.
Working closely with each partner, we deliver hands-on assistance in the execution of their international strategy. Backed by Acumen marketleading expertise and resources, our local teams ensure partners maximise recruitment success from within their key destination markets.
How Acumen Delivers Impact
Student Recruitment – Full Degree (UG and PG) Staff
• Our specific in-market actions depend on your priorities and goals. We work with you to develop a strategy, hire In-country Representatives and proactively manage people who build your brand, reputation and student enrolments.
• Develop and implement outreach, develop marketing and recruitment strategies to increase the number of full-time students from North America.
• High touch recruitment providing local support to students and parents, university partners, and high school counsellors through fairs, conferences and institutional visits.
• Increase market visibility and brand recognition for a university
Student Recruitment - Study Abroad Staff
• Our specific in-market actions depend on your priorities and goals. We work with you to develop a strategy, hire In-country Representatives, and proactively manage people who build your brand, reputation and student enrolments.
• Develop and implement outreach, develop marketing and recruitment strategies to increase the number of study abroad, exchange and summer school students from North America.
• Support the development of partnerships and inbound and outbound exchange opportunities with North American universities and colleges
• High touch recruitment providing local support to students and parents, university partners, and high school counsellors through fairs, conferences and institutional visits.
You create your market goals. We provide the support.
Acumen ensures that universities maintain control of their goals and objectives. You set the strategy and lead your In-Country Representatives and we support you through infrastructure, market intelligence, expertise and high quality resources.
Athletics Student Recruitment
ICRs with a focus on athletics will develop relationships with athletic departments at Division I universities across the US to recruit to postgraduate programmes.
• Attend athletic conferences to build relationships with athletic support staff
• Ensure a high level of support to applicants through attending sporting events and competitions
• Holds student athlete specific information and support sessions to cover queries around balancing the academic and athletic element to studying overseas
Partnerships
ICRs with a focus on partnerships will build relationships and connections with universities and colleges across North America
• Develop outreach and review suitability of partner institutions and programmes
• Work collaboratively with academics to develop and design programmes
• Build and nurture government and industry partnerships
Philanthropy and Alumni Development
ICRs with a focus on philanthropy and alumni development build the major gift pipeline. This includes:
• Build and nurture the North American alumni network
• Requesting meetings with potential donors
• Holding virtual or in person meetings with alumni
• Actively engaging the US based board
• Organisation of events in collaboration with alumni, particularly during major U.S. gatherings like New York Climate Week, and inviting faculty from STEM programmes to connect with potential donors.
Conversion Staff
Conversion activity is key in the North American market, students expect a personalised, student centred experience when applying for universities. US universities engage in conversion activities such as sending birthday cards to applicants, sending happy holiday cards, engaging in student ambassador/ professional staff calling campaigns.
An ICR with a focus on conversion activity will:
• Build and maintain relationships with prospective students through the application and admissions process
• They can contribute to application review and engage in direct follow up with students to ensure applications are complete before being reviewed by admissions
• Host webinars throughout the recruitment cycle on topics such as finances, getting to know the university, pre-departure, and programme specific webinars to meet current students and faculty.
• Maintain US specific social media such as TikTok and Whatsapp groups
• A flexible model is available for experienced conversion staff available between 1 to 5 days per week to a university.
Flexible Staffing Solutions to Meet Your Needs
At Acumen, we recognise that universities today require adaptable staffing arrangements to accommodate changing priorities and budgets. We offer a range of options to suit your institution’s individual needs.
Tier 1: Dedicated Strategic Support
Full-time dedicated In-country Representatives with one to five year contracts available for duration, ensuring longterm strategic support.
Tier 3: Shared Resource Efficiency
Pool resources through a shared staff member jointly appointed across two universities.
Tier 5: Central Staff
Tier 2: Cost-Effective Part-Time Cover
Part-time resource working 30 hours per week for more cost-effective cover.
Tier 4: Remote Conversion
Benefit from a remote conversiononly focussed team member, minimising costs as no travel or on-site expenses are incurred.
Our central team provide flexible, on-demand experts in student conversion and alumni engagement, without the need for a long-term contract. Enhance recruitment and alumni relations with tailored support when you need it, all within the right timezone for students, parents, and alumni.
Our tailored solutions aim to give universities maximum flexibility now and in the future.
Please contact Team North America to discuss how we can structure an agreement that meets your specific needs.
What Acumen Presence Includes:
“
Well-cared for employees are the cornerstone of exceptional work; their satisfaction fuels productivity and innovation.”
Adrian Mutton Founder and Executive Chairman, Acumen
Acumen has developed an attractive and comprehensive Employee Benefits Package that is included in the overall cost of placing an ICR in the US. This includes:
Insurance:
Acumen offers comprehensive health insurance plans at no cost to the employee. There are four different health insurance plans available for employees to select from to accommodate the varied medical needs of individuals and families.
Employees have access to both dental and vision insurance. Similar to health insurance, employees are offered multiple options, allowing employees to select the plan that best suits their medical needs.
The health insurance plans are complemented by an optional Health Savings Account (HSA), which enables employees to use pre-tax dollars for medical expenses. Acumen also provides employer-paid life insurance, short-term disability coverage, and long-term disability coverage, all at no cost to the employee.
Retirement:
Employees have the option to contribute to a 401k and/or ROTH IRA after completing 90 days of employment. This allows employees to save for their retirement through pre-tax or after-tax contributions, depending on their preferences and financial goals.
Holiday / Time Off:
Employees receive a generous paid time off package, which includes US public holidays, paid time off, floating holidays, and sick time. This ensures that employees have ample opportunity to take time off and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Outside of the employee benefits package Acumen also provides wrap around support and development for employees.
US Management Support:
The Director of Partner Success and Administrative Support Supervisor are located in the US and provide support to the team during regular US working hours. University ICRs will benefit from daily assistance in terms of guidance, and administrative support, such as with with travel logistics, IT, and HR. In addition to providing individual support we also hold staff training and team building sessions to enable our staff in various locations across the US to come together as a community and learn from each other. These activities are designed to promote a sense of community to support the mental wellbeing of staff.
Staff Rewards and Development
At Acumen, we prioritise the development and satisfaction of our employees as part of our dedication to delivering exceptional customer service. We make substantial investments to ensure that our staff is well-prepared to excel in their roles every day.
To maximise the potential of each team member and help them achieve their individual career aspirations, we have implemented a comprehensive performance appraisal and management process. Our ICRs undergo an annual cycle of performance assessment, culminating in a thorough employee appraisal.
“As an ICR the support I receive from Acumen has been great, with my US colleagues providing daily assistance for everything from travel logistics to HR, allowing me to focus on representing my partner university. Their commitment to staff development through regular training and teambuilding events has greatly enhanced my professional growth and sense of community.
Haley Drogus
International Officer supporting University of Sheffield
We
are Proud to Support 10+ Institutions in North America, Including:
“
The staff I work with at Acumen have always been incredibly supportive, informative, and collegiate in advancing the University of Southampton’s aims and ambitions in our student recruitment from North America. From the fantastic In-country Representative they provide us, to the insightful and rewarding insight days and roundtable events. It is a pleasure to call Acumen one of our partners.”
Tom Quante
Regional Head of International Recruitment and PartnershipsAmerica, Europe and Australasia - University of Southampton
Case Study: Queen Mary, University of London
Queen Mary, University of London partners with Acumen to strengthen their recruitment efforts and market share in North America. The University implements this by having two In-Country Representatives focussed on North America; one with a student recruitment remit and one with a Study Abroad remit.
Progress to date
Through aggressive market penetration with the support of Acumen’s North America management team, QMUL saw 78% growth in undergraduate applications in the first year of delivery adding to 39% growth in postgraduate applications in the same period. They also were able to expand research links with high profile US Universities. Growth in this space resulted in an additional investment in another staff member in the US. The University has also experienced a 33% growth over a 2-year tenure with Acumen within Study Abroad recruitment.
“Having a role working with Acumen dedicated to Study Abroad recruitment and based in the US has been hugely beneficial for Queen Mary. The addition of this role builds on our successful and longstanding Study Abroad Programme, helping us to grow our study abroad student numbers and maintain strong links with our partner universities in North America, through having an in-country presence.”
Ceri Bevan Head of Global Opportunities –Queen Mary University of London
Kate
kate.barnes@sannams4.com
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Marnie
marnie.watson@sannams4.com
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roger.brindley@sannams4.com
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