New Zealand Internship program Manager
100% remote business development role at a hospitality recruitment agency: build and manage B2B partnerships with luxury New Zealand hotels, lodges, and restaurants, match international hospitality students/interns to placements, and guide visa compliance. Requires 3-4+ years of B2B BD/account management, CRM skills, and NZ market knowledge.
- Compensation
- Not disclosed
- Location
- Remote
- Work setup
- Remote
- Seniority
- Intern
- Employment
- Internship
- Experience
- 4+ years
- Category
- Project management
- Posted
Skills
Must have
- 3-4+ years proven experience in B2B Business Development, Strategic Account Management, or Corporate Partnerships, ideally in luxury hospitality, tourism, or international recruitment
- Excellent negotiation and pitching skills with a track record of closing corporate contracts and influencing C-suite or HR executives
- Exceptional verbal and written English communication skills
- Outstanding relationship-building skills with a genuine passion for hospitality and cultural exchange programs
- Highly organized self-starter able to work autonomously, manage tight deadlines, and drive targets
- Strong command of CRM systems and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Nice to have
- Deep understanding of the New Zealand hospitality landscape (e.g., Auckland, Queenstown, Rotorua, Wellington)
- Familiarity with New Zealand visa categories (Working Holiday Visas, Student Visa work conditions)
Full description
About Us
Placement International is a leading global recruitment and placement agency specializing in the luxury hospitality industry. We connect highly qualified international students and hospitality professionals with top-tier employers in hotels, resorts, and restaurants worldwide. Our mission is to foster international career opportunities while promoting cultural exchange and professional development. As we expand our global footprint, we are launching dedicated initiatives to build a robust placement network across New Zealand's thriving luxury tourism sector.
Job Summary
The New Zealand Internship program Manager is a high-growth, strategic role focused entirely on acquiring, developing, and managing B2B relationships with premium hospitality properties across New Zealand. As the primary market architect, you will be responsible for pitching Placement International’s services to luxury hotels, boutique lodges, and high-end restaurants, securing exclusive placement partnerships for international students and interns.
This role requires a hunter mindset blended with sophisticated account management skills. You will navigate New Zealand's hospitality landscape, understand local properties' operational talent shortages, and align them with our global talent pool while ensuring a seamless onboarding and visa compliance process.
Key Responsibilities
- Market Expansion & Business Development
- Property Acquisition: Proactively identify, pitch, and secure new partnership agreements with 4-5 star hotels, luxury lodges, and premium restaurant groups across New Zealand.
- Pipeline Management: Build and maintain a robust sales pipeline of prospective host properties, conducting cold outreach, high-level presentations, and site visits.
- Industry Networking: Represent Placement International at New Zealand hospitality forums, tourism conferences, and industry events to build brand equity and authority.
- Strategic Relationship & Account Management
- Client Retention: Act as the primary dedicated liaison for all New Zealand host properties, ensuring high satisfaction, retention, and repeat placement seasonal cycles.
- Needs Assessment: Conduct regular consultations with hotel HR directors and General Managers to accurately forecast their seasonal staffing and operational needs.
- Negotiate partnership agreements: Identify recruitment needs within hotels.
- Onboarding & Compliance Guidance: Educate and guide New Zealand host employers on local international student work rights, Visa parameters, and relevant immigration pathways to ensure fully compliant student placements.