Head of Recruitment - Mexico
Overview
We're looking for an experienced leader to join our successful Mexican recruitment team. This role combines people leadership, university partnerships, and strategic planning to connect more participants across Mexico with life-changing cultural exchange opportunities.
As Head of Recruitment for Mexico, you will play a key leadership role in the success of our recruitment efforts for our cultural exchange programs. Reporting to the Country Director, you will lead a team of 10 to meet and exceed recruitment targets, build strong university and partner relationships, and expand our participant base across Mexico. This role is crucial in maintaining program standards, supporting team engagement, and creating year-over-year growth.
About Smaller Earth
Smaller Earth Group is a global leader in life-changing cultural exchange, dedicated to inspiring people to go further. Founded in Liverpool in 1999, we now operate 10 brands across 18 markets. Our core programs include Camp Leaders, Resort Leaders, and Camp Canada, creating meaningful opportunities worldwide.
We recently became an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT), reflecting our commitment to putting people at the heart of our business. As an employee-owned company, every team member plays a key role in shaping our future and shares in our collective success.
At Smaller Earth, we foster a culture of collaboration, ambition, and purpose. You will be part of a supportive team that encourages growth and celebrates achievements, whether you contribute to strategic initiatives or work on exciting projects.
Key responsibilities
- Achieve recruitment targets: Lead the team to meet or exceed agreed annual goals across all programs
- Develop the team: Create a high-performance culture, maintaining a minimum 80 team happiness score and strong talent retention
- Strengthen university partnerships: Increase activity and offline events at key universities to generate sign-ups
- Expand customer base: Grow participants from other key regions outside of Puebla
- Uphold program standards: Confirm applicants meet program criteria and maintain high employer satisfaction scores
- Create market growth: Contribute to year-over-year growth across all cultural exchange programs
Who we're looking for
- A natural leader: Proven ability to motivate, coach, and inspire a team to hit ambitious targets
- Experienced manager: At least 5 years of leadership experience managing teams of 10+ people in a fast-paced environment
- Strategic and analytical: Strong decision-making skills with the ability to analyze data and spot opportunities
- Relationship builder: Excellent interpersonal skills to connect with universities, partners, and participants
- Customer-focused: Deep understanding of customer needs and how to deliver outstanding experiences
- Goal-oriented: Ability to balance short-term wins with long-term strategic growth
- Tech-proficient: Comfortable using CRM systems, Excel, and communication tools like Slack and email
- Experienced in cultural exchange programs: Ideally but not necessarily you have participated in a cultural exchange program in the USA as an intern, camp counselor, or part of a Summer Work Travel Program
- Bilingual (Spanish & English): You can write and speak clearly in both languages.
Benefits:
- Performance Bonus
- IMSS (National Health Insurance)
- Vacation bonus (prima vacacional)