Assistant Manager (at the rank of Executive Officer) - Job Opportunity at Hong Kong University

Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Full-time
Mid-level
Posted: August 19, 2025
On-site
HKD 480,000 - 600,000 per year (approximately USD 61,500 - 76,900), reflecting mid-level management position in Hong Kong's competitive higher education sector with additional benefits package increasing total compensation value by approximately 15-20%

Benefits

Fixed-term contract with comprehensive job security through structured two to three-year terms, providing stability while maintaining flexibility for career advancement
Contract-end gratuity providing additional financial compensation beyond base salary, enhancing total compensation package competitiveness
University contribution to retirement benefits scheme up to 10% of basic salary, ensuring long-term financial security and competitive total compensation
Annual leave entitlements providing work-life balance essential for sustained high performance in academic administrative roles
Comprehensive medical benefits package typical of established university systems, reducing personal healthcare costs and providing family security
Possibility of contract renewal offering career continuity and professional development within prestigious academic institution
Access to university facilities and resources enhancing professional development and networking opportunities within academic community

Key Responsibilities

Lead strategic oversight and administration of taught-master degree programme operations, directly impacting student experience and programme quality while ensuring alignment with university academic standards and regulatory requirements
Manage comprehensive financial operations for graduate programmes including budget planning, resource allocation, and financial reporting, requiring analytical skills and strategic thinking to optimize programme sustainability and growth
Direct daily office operations ensuring seamless administrative support for faculty and students while implementing process improvements that enhance operational efficiency and service delivery standards
Execute complex ad hoc and non-routine projects requiring problem-solving capabilities and strategic thinking, often involving cross-departmental collaboration and stakeholder management at senior levels
Provide leadership and management to clerical staff team, developing team capabilities while ensuring consistent delivery of high-quality administrative services that support academic excellence and student satisfaction
Collaborate with academic staff, university administration, and external stakeholders requiring diplomatic skills and professional representation of the department at various institutional levels

Requirements

Education

Bachelor's degree

Experience

at least 5 years' work experience, preferably with taught-postgraduate programme administration experience in a tertiary institution

Required Skills

excellent command of written and spoken English and Chinese (including Putonghua and Cantonese) high levels of communication, interpersonal, organizational, time management and problem-solving skills good level of IT knowledge ability to work independently good team players and fast learners ability to handle multi-tasks under tight deadlines attention to detail, accuracy in their work leadership ability
Advertisement
Ad Space

Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

Higher education institutions across Asia-Pacific are increasingly focusing on internationalization and programme quality enhancement, driving demand for experienced administrative professionals who can manage complex academic programmes while ensuring compliance with international standards and accreditation requirements. The taught-master programme market in Hong Kong is experiencing significant growth as professionals seek advanced qualifications to remain competitive, creating increased demand for skilled programme administrators who can handle larger student cohorts and more complex operational requirements. Universities are implementing more sophisticated financial management systems and performance metrics for academic programmes, requiring administrators with strong analytical skills and experience in budget management, cost control, and revenue optimization strategies.

Role Significance

Direct supervision of 3-5 clerical staff members with indirect coordination responsibilities across multiple departments and external stakeholders including academic faculty, student services, and university finance departments
Mid-level management position with significant operational responsibility and team leadership duties, representing a crucial link between senior university administration and front-line academic support services, requiring both strategic thinking and hands-on operational management capabilities

Key Projects

Implementation of new student information systems and digital transformation initiatives for programme administration Development and execution of programme expansion strategies including new course offerings and international partnerships Quality assurance projects ensuring compliance with university standards and external accreditation requirements Budget planning and resource allocation projects supporting programme sustainability and growth initiatives

Success Factors

Exceptional bilingual communication skills enabling effective interaction with diverse stakeholder groups including local and international students, faculty members, and university administrators across different cultural contexts and communication preferences. Strong project management capabilities with proven ability to handle multiple concurrent initiatives while maintaining attention to detail and meeting strict deadlines in a fast-paced academic environment with competing priorities. Leadership and team development skills essential for building high-performing administrative teams while fostering collaborative relationships across different departments and hierarchical levels within the university structure. Analytical and financial management expertise enabling effective budget oversight, cost optimization, and strategic resource allocation decisions that support programme growth while maintaining fiscal responsibility and accountability.

Market Demand

High demand driven by expansion of postgraduate programmes across Hong Kong universities, retirement of experienced administrators, and increasing complexity of academic programme management requiring bilingual capabilities and cross-cultural competency

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Bilingual communication capabilities in English and Chinese (Putonghua/Cantonese) are absolutely essential given Hong Kong's unique linguistic environment and the university's diverse student population, enabling effective stakeholder management across cultural and linguistic boundaries while supporting international programme development initiatives. Leadership and team management abilities are crucial for success in this role as it involves direct supervision of clerical staff and coordination across multiple departments, requiring skills in motivation, performance management, conflict resolution, and strategic team development within academic institutional frameworks. Financial management and analytical skills are critical given the significant budget oversight responsibilities and need for strategic resource allocation decisions that directly impact programme sustainability, student experience quality, and departmental operational effectiveness within competitive higher education environment.

Beneficial Skills

Project management certification or formal training would enhance ability to handle complex cross-departmental initiatives and programme expansion projects while ensuring adherence to university standards and regulatory requirements. Advanced IT skills including database management, student information systems, and financial reporting software would improve operational efficiency and support digital transformation initiatives increasingly important in modern higher education administration. International education experience or cultural competency training would be valuable given the university's global student population and increasing focus on internationalization strategies requiring sensitivity to diverse cultural perspectives and communication styles.

Unique Aspects

Trilingual requirement (English, Putonghua, Cantonese) creates distinctive professional positioning in Hong Kong's competitive job market while enabling career opportunities across Greater China region and international education sector.
Combination of academic programme administration and financial management responsibilities provides comprehensive business skills development rarely available in single positions, enhancing long-term career flexibility and advancement potential.
Fixed-term contract structure with renewal possibility offers balanced approach between job security and career flexibility, allowing for strategic career planning while maintaining competitive compensation and benefits packages.
Direct involvement in taught-master programme administration during period of significant growth in professional graduate education provides valuable experience in expanding market segment with strong future career prospects.

Career Growth

Typically 3-5 years to advance to senior management roles within university system, or 2-3 years to transition to similar roles in larger institutions or private education sector organizations

Potential Next Roles

Senior Manager or Deputy Director positions within university administration focusing on broader academic operations and strategic planning responsibilities Programme Director roles with full P&L responsibility for specific academic programmes or departments Regional Manager positions with multinational education organizations or international university partnerships Consulting roles with education management companies or government agencies focused on higher education policy and administration

Company Overview

Hong Kong University

Hong Kong University represents one of Asia's most prestigious higher education institutions with a strong international reputation for academic excellence and research innovation, attracting students and faculty from around the world while maintaining deep connections with Hong Kong's business and professional communities.

Leading position among Hong Kong's top-tier universities with strong alumni networks, extensive industry partnerships, and significant influence on regional higher education standards and policy development, providing employees with prestigious professional credentials and networking opportunities.
Strategic location in Hong Kong provides access to mainland China markets while maintaining international connections, positioning the university as a key bridge between Eastern and Western educational approaches and creating unique professional development opportunities for administrative staff.
Academic environment emphasizing collegial decision-making, intellectual curiosity, and commitment to educational excellence, typically featuring collaborative working relationships, professional development support, and work-life balance considerations important in sustaining long-term career satisfaction.
Advertisement
Ad Space
Apply Now

Data Sources & Analysis Information

Job Listings Data

The job listings displayed on this platform are sourced through BrightData's comprehensive API, ensuring up-to-date and accurate job market information.

Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Our advanced AI system analyzes each job listing to provide valuable insights including:

  • Industry trends and market dynamics
  • Salary estimates and market demand analysis
  • Role significance and career growth potential
  • Critical success factors and key skills
  • Unique aspects of each position

This integration of reliable job data with AI-powered analysis helps provide you with comprehensive insights for making informed career decisions.