Zulqurnain Ahmad
12+ Years Of Leadership In Global Education & Student Success
Lahore
Summary
Seeking to contribute over 12 years of expertise in student recruitment, operational leadership, and educational management to a forward-thinking organization. Proven track record in strategic partnerships, team leadership, and innovative solutions, committed to driving growth and operational excellence. A dynamic team player and influential leader dedicated to fostering collaboration, innovation, and achieving organizational success.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
2
2
Languages
Work History
Director Operations
The IEIS Education Group
07.2023 - Current
- Led the strategic planning and execution of all operational activities for IEIS Pakistan, ensuring alignment with company goals and objectives
- Directed a multifunctional team, including operations managers, supervisors, and support staff, fostering a collaborative and high-performing work environment
- Implemented innovative process improvements resulting in a [specific percentage] increase in efficiency and productivity across departments
- Developed and monitored key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure operational performance, identifying areas for optimization and implementing solutions to drive continuous improvement
- Oversaw the development and implementation of operational policies, procedures, and guidelines to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards
- Negotiated contracts with vendors and suppliers to optimize costs while maintaining quality and reliability of services and products
- Spearheaded cross-functional initiatives to enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty
- Collaborated closely with senior leadership to develop and execute strategic initiatives aimed at expanding market presence and driving revenue growth
- Organized educational expos and engaged with local universities such as FAST, NUST, UMT, and Punjab University to foster partnerships and promote IEIS Pakistan's programs and services
- Conducted staff training and development programs to enhance skills and competencies, fostering a culture of continuous learning and career advancement within the organization
- Provided mentorship and professional development opportunities to team members, facilitating their growth and progression within the company
- Prepared and presented regular reports to senior management, providing insights into operational performance, trends, and areas for improvement
- Monitored budget and utilized operational resources
- Achieved team goals through formalized training plans, coaching, and performance management
- Oversaw successful implementation of operational strategies and policies to drive organizational growth and productivity
- Reduced budgetary expenditures by effectively negotiating contracts for more advantageous terms
Director Business Development
M.R Consultant Lahore
01.2022 - 02.2023
- To represent the Universities/MRC at external recruitment/school and college events throughout UK and Australia and occasionally in priority markets North America
- To give accurate information, advice and guidance to prospective undergraduate and postgraduate students about courses / student life in UK and Australia, and the university application journey
- Deliver high quality presentations about the UK and Australian universities and other aspects of higher education both on and offline
- Assist in the development and produce relevant targeted recruitment publicity materials, on and offline, social media campaigns etc
- To liaise and network with agents and careers professionals to develop effective relationships to meet recruitment targets
- To be involved in the organization and delivery of large scale on and offline recruitment events, such as Open Days, Agents and Teacher Conferences and Campus Tours
- To develop, deliver and evaluate online conversion activities, such as regional events and Offer-Holder Events
- Communication with educational institutions and working bodies of multiple school and colleges on panel
- Professional development and capacity building of team-members
- Liaison with the stakeholders like Schools and Colleges in Lahore along with different representatives of UK and Australian universities
- Assisting in the implementation of Organization Development Plan
- Administrative management of seminar, workshops, and survey in KIPS, Comsets, International School Lahore and Aspire Colleges
- Circular announcement
- Announcing the duty roster for all the team member
- Formulating event proposals for the informative session in different universities and colleges of Lahore
Test Centre Administrator
IDP Education Lahore
09.2019 - 12.2021
- Managing B2B & B2C Registrations for Lahore centre to translate exams capacity into business delivery
- Collaborating with Finance Team & Shared Service Centre for the timely provision of supporting material to challenge the charge-back cases
- Handling requests for Special Arrangement
- Collaboration with Customer Service Focal Person to facilitate customers
- Recoding incidents on Examination Quality & Compliance System to update National & Regional Risk Registers
- Working with IELTS Strategic Lead to implement new procedures and process
- Ensuring the timely provision and submission of initial/previous material for appeal and Investigation Team
- Development, Implementation & Monitoring of Audit Action Plan
- Venue Staff Training & Development and their Annual Performance Evaluation
- Test Centre Lead for IELTS Systems Improvement to find workable and optimal solutions
- Record Management of Confidential Material i.e
- Contingency, Speaking Booklets, LRAS and WAS etc
- Preparation of monthly Confidential Material Room Report
Exams Operation Manager
British Council Lahore
03.2019 - 08.2019
- During my recent tenure of working as Exams Ops Manager, I have led the IELTS team in a critically challenging and demanding situation
- EOM being away for an extended period of more than one month, under staff issue as well as launching a new IELTS product (CD-IELTS) was really challenging situation
- I devised a work plan and made some adjustments in the roles of few colleagues to ensure that day to day operational matters are dealt efficiently as well as few colleagues are engaged in CD-IELTS project
- I also took charge of some additional and important tasks
- I discussed the plan with HOO, implemented it after consulting and agreeing with team
- I also managed to address under-performing colleague positively
- Thorough making these adjustments and successfully engaging team, I launched CD-IELTS as per agreed time line as well as managed day to day operational matters smoothly
- In my role, I have been successfully managing relationship with internal and external stake holders both at national and international level
- I am focal person for coordination with regional team for dealing with any sort of queries from RMT, day to day operational issues or results withheld issues
- I am closely and successfully coordinating with all exam SBUs including, BD, finance, compliance, venue staff and transformation team
- Moreover, I have been mediating between satellite offices (Fsd and Mul) for day to day operational matter on regular basis
- I have demonstrated planning and organising skills through successfully planning the utilization of resources, examiners, clerical markers at various exam venues in Punjab
- I successfully planned the launch of new testing venues in Sialkot by engaging with internal and external stakeholders
- I ensured that all arrangements related to venue/CMR etc are compliant to QCA, BC as well as examining board standards
- I have direct contact with the institutes to register and expand the business for different products of IELTS
Exams Operation Officer
British Council Lahore
10.2015 - 02.2019
- Administer IELTS exams in accordance with rules and policies while ensuring compliance and security measures as IELTS Administrator
- Responsible for Managing the IELTS speaking tests, while dealing with Examiners, 'Venue Staff' and Candidates
- Dealing with 'Venue Staff' regarding their Duties and Payments
- Work closely with the 'Customer Services Team' to deliver excellent services to customers
- Preparing the Quarterly Refund Report (QFR) to be shared with Cambridge
- Preparing Claims for Examiners and 'Clerical Markers'
- Solely Responsible for Managing IELTS Examiners/Markers and Speaking Exam
- All the IELTS exams income reconciliation are prepared and submitted on agreed dates to Finance
- Managed IELTS Marketing Consultant in Jhelum Region for Marketing strategies, Market Research Analysis till 31st March 2013
- Setting up exam venue in Bahawalpur and Sialkot as per compliance guidelines
- Outreach venue planning and arrangement
- Building strong relationship with venue management
- System expert of On-Screen Marking systems
- Leads IELTS team in system related tasks
- Directly coordinates with On-Screen Marking team
- Remotely support outreach managers on almost every test
- Structuring Credit Card payment verification both in Lahore and outreach by verifying payment data on speaking days instead of the writing exam
- REF Focal person in Pakistan, used SAP for entering REF numbers, creation of POs
Assistant Examination Services Officer
British Council Islamabad
05.2010 - 12.2012
- I had joined British Council IELTS department as AEO in May 2010, during this very short stay as a temp staff I was successfully taking care of the following responsibilities
- IELTS candidate’s exams registrations
- Assisting Ops manager for Pre/ Post exam preparations as per compliance standards
- Speaking exam conduction on venues; face to face candidate dealing
- Arranging logistics i.e
- Transport management for exams
- Independently Exam conduction for IELTS
- Apart from the above-mentioned day to day business I am the key point of contact for all candidate’s queries related to registrations of IELTS is one of my key achievements during my short time span
Education
BBA (Hons) -
University of Central Punjab
01.2004 - 01.2008
Post Graduate Diploma - IT
Govt Science Collage Multan
01.2008 - 01.2009
Skills
- Strategic planning and execution
- Communication Skills
- Performance analysis
- Workforce planning
- Cost control
- Financial controls implementation
- Client account management
- Performance improvements
- Risk mitigation
- Flexibility/adaptability
- Staff training/development
Key Skills Summary
Enjoy sharing knowledge and encouraging development of others to achieve specific team goals., Effective communicator., Thinking things through in a logical way in order to determine key issues, often also including creative thinking., Ability to handle change and adapt to new situations., Having energy and enthusiasm in pursuing projects.
Educational Accomplishments
- BBA (Hons), University of Central Punjab, 08/2004, 05/2008
- Post Graduate Diploma in IT, Govt Science College Multan, 08/2008, 05/2009
Professional Highlights
- Successfully organized and led major Study Abroad Expos across multiple cities, attracting over 500 students per event and directly connecting them with top international universities and pathway providers, including Study Group, GUS, and M Square Media.
- Initiated and led a Campus Activation Program in collaboration with top schools and universities, strengthening partnerships and expanding outreach to prospective study abroad candidates.
- Forged strategic partnerships with leading global universities and educational organizations, enhancing international study opportunities for Pakistani students.
- Played a key role in increasing student enrollments in top destinations like the UK, Australia, Canada, and the USA by developing and executing high-impact recruitment strategies.
- Led the launch of IELTS Computer-Delivered Test (CD-IELTS) and UKVI IELTS exams, improving accessibility for students applying for study visas.
- Received 'Customer Care Champion' award twice at the British Council Islamabad, recognizing outstanding contributions in supporting students through the study abroad process.
- Nominated as 'Customer Services Professional of the Year' in 2012 for excellence in student counseling and international admissions support.
- Spearheaded recruitment drives in collaboration with O/A Level schools and IELTS academies, strengthening the pipeline of students pursuing higher education abroad.
- Managed large-scale education events and institutional partnerships, ensuring students received accurate guidance on admissions, scholarships, and visa processes.
Timeline
Director Operations
The IEIS Education Group
07.2023 - Current
Director Business Development
M.R Consultant Lahore
01.2022 - 02.2023
Test Centre Administrator
IDP Education Lahore
09.2019 - 12.2021
Exams Operation Manager
British Council Lahore
03.2019 - 08.2019
Exams Operation Officer
British Council Lahore
10.2015 - 02.2019
Assistant Examination Services Officer
British Council Islamabad
05.2010 - 12.2012
Post Graduate Diploma - IT
Govt Science Collage Multan
01.2008 - 01.2009
BBA (Hons) -
University of Central Punjab
01.2004 - 01.2008
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