Country Director Portugal

Actual Talent is the talent acquisition consultancy that offers Specialized Search, RPO and Talent Solutions.

Our purpose is to drive the growth and fulfillment of individuals and organizations. We facilitate individuals in finding inspiring opportunities and help organizations discover professionals who will take them to the next level. We do this through talent acquisition and development solutions that focus on people, diversity and inclusion, innovation, and cutting-edge technology.

About the client:

An international higher education group specializing in Healthcare and Life Sciences is seeking a Country Director to energize, professionalize, and consolidate its expanding structure in Portugal.

The primary objective of this role is to structure the organization and its operations to support planned growth in a sustainable and steady manner, establishing the group as a leading reference actor in healthcare education across Portugal. This position demands an entrepreneurial, hands-on leader capable of combining strategic vision with operational execution in a fast-paced environment.

Job description:

As Country Director, you will hold end-to-end responsibility for the Portuguese market, driving both local strategy and day-to-day execution to scale the business while guaranteeing academic excellence.

Your main responsibilities will include:

• Full P&L & Operational Management:

  • Driving complete ownership of the local P&L, budget definition, and EBITDA targets.

  • Structuring and optimizing operational processes to support scalable and sustainable growth.

• Proprietary Degrees & Academic Portfolio (Healthcare):

  • Leading the landing, adaptation, and commercial development of European proprietary degrees (títulos propios) and specialized postgraduate programs in healthcare.

  • Overseeing portfolio development in key areas such as Aesthetic Medicine, Osteopathy, and intensive preparation for the PNA (Prova Nacional de Acesso).

  • Ensuring full compliance with Portuguese academic regulations and maintaining strategic relations with regulatory bodies and healthcare institutions.

• Digital Transformation & Innovation:

  • Driving operational digitization, process automation, and AI integration to maximize operational efficiency and scalability.

• Team Leadership & Operational Excellence:

  • Leading and coordinating the team dedicated to Portugal.

  • Fostering a high-performance culture centered on Academic Excellence and a Student-Centric approach.

Requirements:

• Experience

  • Minimum of 5–8 years of leadership experience within Private Higher Education (universities, business schools, or specialized healthcare training institutions).

  • Proven expertise in managing, launching, and commercializing proprietary degrees and private postgraduate education.

  • Successful track record in organizations operating across the Spain–Portugal axis (Spanish institutions expanded into Portugal), with deep understanding of degree adaptations and cross-border alignment.

  • Demonstrated experience in full P&L and EBITDA management.

• Languages

• Fluency in Portuguese and Spanish is required; professional proficiency in English is highly valuable.
  

• Competences

  • Entrepreneurial & Startup Mindset: Agile, analytical, and strongly focused on process automation, AI adoption, and continuous optimization.

  • Resilience & High Execution Drive: Ability to structure complex operations, solve problems autonomously, and thrive under pressure in a high-velocity environment.

  • Student-Centric Vision: Uncompromising commitment to quality, student satisfaction, and academic rigour within the healthcare sector.

What we offer:

• Executive Leadership: Complete leadership and executive autonomy over the Portuguese subsidiary.

• Strategic Impact: Key role in building and positioning the leading healthcare education entity in Portugal.

• Competitive Package: Attractive executive base salary + performance-aligned bonus scheme.

• Growth Environment: High-visibility position within an innovative, expanding international group.