International Relations Manager

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS MANAGER

Porto Business School is looking for an International Relations Manager to join our International Business Development team and help strengthen the School’s international presence and partnerships.

This is an opportunity to play a key role in developing and managing relationships with business schools, universities, companies, public institutions and other international partners, turning opportunities for collaboration into concrete, sustainable and impactful initiatives.

You will work closely with teams across Porto Business School, connecting external partners with the School’s academic and organisational capabilities and contributing to the continued development of our international activities.

About us

At Porto Business School, we are committed to innovation, entrepreneurship and transformative learning. As part of the University of Porto, we combine academic excellence with close links to the business world, supporting both individuals and organisations in their development.

Our community brings together people with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and talents, working in a collaborative and international environment focused on impact, innovation and continuous learning.

The role

The International Relations Manager will be responsible for developing, strengthening and managing Porto Business School’s international institutional relationships and identifying new opportunities for collaboration.

The role combines relationship management, partnership development and international project management, requiring the ability to identify opportunities, engage with senior stakeholders and transform ideas into structured initiatives.

You will manage relationships with existing partners while actively developing new ones and will coordinate international projects from the initial opportunity through to implementation, ensuring strong alignment between external partners and internal teams.

The role reports to the International Business Development Director and works closely with Academic, Admissions, Operations, Student Services, Marketing, Legal and Finance teams.

What you will work on

• Developing and strengthening relationships with international universities, business schools, companies, associations, public institutions and other relevant organisations.
• Identifying new international partnership and business development opportunities.
• Developing initiatives such as joint programmes, international weeks, study trips, faculty exchanges, student mobility and executive education projects.
• Managing international projects from opportunity identification through to implementation.
• Representing Porto Business School at international meetings, conferences, fairs, institutional visits and missions.
• Supporting the development and implementation of the School’s internationalisation strategy.
• Contributing to high-quality international experiences for students, participants, faculty, partners and visiting delegations.

Key responsibilities

• Identify and develop relationships with potential international academic, institutional and corporate partners.
• Manage and strengthen existing international partnerships through regular and structured engagement.
• Conduct meetings with partners to understand their needs and translate them into concrete projects and collaboration proposals.
• Structure partnership proposals in collaboration with academic, commercial and operational teams.
• Lead or support the negotiation and formalisation of cooperation agreements, protocols and other partnership models.
• Assess the strategic, academic, operational and financial viability of potential opportunities.
• Coordinate international projects, defining action plans, responsibilities, timelines, deliverables and follow-up mechanisms.
• Ensure effective coordination between external partners and Porto Business School’s internal teams.
• Monitor project development, anticipate risks and propose solutions when necessary.
• Ensure an effective handover of projects to the teams responsible for operational delivery.
• Support the development of internationally funded projects and initiatives developed with public or private organisations.
• Contribute to the development of international mobility opportunities for students, participants and faculty.
• Support the organisation of international weeks, study trips, immersion programmes, institutional visits and academic or corporate missions.
• Ensure a high-quality experience for international partners, delegations and groups hosted by Porto Business School.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date information on partners, opportunities, projects and international initiatives.
• Prepare activity reports, presentations, proposals and supporting documentation for decision-making.
• Define and monitor relevant international development indicators.
• Contribute to the annual international activity plan and related budget.
• Monitor international trends in higher education, business schools and executive education.

Candidate profile

Education

Degree in International Relations, Management, Economics, Social Sciences, Marketing, Education or a related field.

Experience

• 5+ years of relevant professional experience in international relations, partnership development, project management, higher education or business development.
• Experience managing relationships with international organisations and stakeholders.
• Proven ability to develop opportunities from initial identification through to implementation.
• Experience managing multiple projects and stakeholders simultaneously.
• Experience working in international and multicultural environments.

Skills

• Excellent relationship-building and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong communication, presentation and negotiation capabilities.
• Ability to engage effectively with stakeholders across different cultures, geographies and levels of seniority.
• Strong organisational skills, autonomy and ability to manage competing priorities.
• Analytical thinking, attention to detail and a results-oriented mindset.
• Ability to work collaboratively across different teams and functions.
• Commercial awareness and understanding of business models related to executive education.
• Ability to represent Porto Business School in institutional and international contexts.
• Fluency in Portuguese and English, both written and spoken.
• Availability for national and international travel.

Additional valued experience

Experience in one or more of the following areas will be considered an advantage:

• Higher education or business schools.
• Executive education and management development.
• International academic partnerships.
• Student or faculty mobility programmes.
• International weeks, study trips or immersion programmes.
• Development of proposals for institutional or corporate clients.
• Management of cooperation agreements and institutional partnerships.
• Organisation of international missions and visiting delegations.
• Internationally funded or multi-partner projects.
• Experience working with international markets, particularly in Europe, Latin America, Africa or Asia.
• Knowledge of additional languages.

Why join us

This is an opportunity to contribute directly to the international development of Porto Business School, building relationships and projects that connect the School with institutions, companies and communities around the world.

You will join a dynamic and collaborative environment where you will have the opportunity to combine institutional relationship management, international business development and project execution, working across different markets, cultures and areas of the School.

The position is based at Porto Business School, Porto, with national and international travel as required. The working model follows the policies currently in place at the School.

Our Culture

Porto Business School is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all qualified candidates.