Job Description

The Senior Director of International Experiences and Global Learning is a visionary leadership role within the Office of the Provost and will report directly to the Vice Provost of Undergraduate Education, serving as a key member of the senior leadership team. The Senior Director will oversee a dedicated team of professionals, spearheading the development and execution of strategies to further enhance international opportunities for students and elevate the global profile of our university. This position requires a deep understanding of study abroad programs, global safety issues for university travelers, and the ability to articulate and implement a vision that aligns with the university's goals for global education.

As Vanderbilt rises in the world rankings and becomes known as an internationally renowned institution of research and education, Vanderbilt students play an important role in both raising Vanderbilt’s global visibility and in benefiting from that global visibility. This position is key to ensuring that this mutual benefit is realized.

Vanderbilt University is a prominent institution of higher learning known for its excellence in research, education, and community engagement. Located in the vibrant city of Nashville, TN, the university offers a dynamic and collaborative environment where the expertise of staff and faculty is highly valued and innovation is encouraged. Vanderbilt is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive community that prepares students to become leaders in a global society.

The Office of Undergraduate Education (OUE) in the Office of the Provost provides robust educational support and experiential learning opportunities, encouraging students to reach beyond the classroom to drive their own intellectual and social growth. Access to global experiences is a key component of this larger vision. The OUE team collaborates closely with all areas of the provost team and the undergraduate schools to promote academic excellence and innovation in undergraduate education, including international experiences and global learning opportunities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategic Vision

• Enhance the comprehensive vision for international experiences and global learning for undergraduate students and implement that vision to provide opportunities for students to develop and engage as global citizens.- Ensure that robust structures, systems, and personnel in the Office of Global Safety provide reliable support and safety for all university travelers.

• Lead and inspire a team of study abroad and global safety professionals, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence.

• Align global opportunities for students with the university's strategic goals.

• Provide high-level guidance and support to undergraduate students seeking international experiences, ensuring that they receive comprehensive resources and advising services

Program Operations & Oversight:

• Oversee a portfolio of third-party study abroad opportunities, ensuring programs are academically rigorous, culturally enriching, and accessible to a diverse student population.

• Collaborate closely with deans of academic schools to ensure meaningful global education experiences for students through Vanderbilt faculty-led programs abroad.

• Ensure the safety and well-being of all university travelers by overseeing robust risk management processes and protocols for international programs.

• Maintain compliance with legal and regulatory requirements related to international travel, health regulations, and contractual agreements with partner institutions.

• Oversee the budget for the Office of International Experiences and Global Learning, ensuring effective and efficient use of resources to support program development, site assessments, and administrative operations.

• Foster a supportive and inclusive environment for students from diverse backgrounds, advocating for their needs related to study abroad, scholarships, cultural adjustment, and academic integration.

Global Engagement & Reputation Building:

• Cultivate relationships with international partners to maintain existing opportunities and create new ones for student experiential learning.

• Represent the university at national and international conferences and events to promote its global engagement efforts and enhance its international reputation.Strategic Execution:

• Translate vision into actionable plans, setting clear objectives and measurable outcomes for the team.

• Collaborate with university leadership, faculty, and external partners to develop innovative programs that advance the university's global presence and positive reputation.

• Provide strategy, coordination, and implementation across multiple global efforts on campus.

Supervisory Relationships: This position has supervisory responsibility over a team of professional staff, including the Associate Director of Study Abroad and study abroad team, Associate Director of Global Safety, and global safety team, and an Administrative Coordinator. The Senior Director reports directly to the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education, both administratively and functionally.

Qualifications

• A master's degree from an accredited institution is required, with a preference for fields related to international education or global studies.

• A minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in international education, including significant experience with study abroad programs and global safety issues.

• Demonstrated leadership skills with a track record of managing and developing teams.

• Proven ability to develop and execute strategic plans that enhance international experiences and raise an institution's global profile.

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with a range of stakeholders, including students, faculty, international partners, and university leadership.

• Experience with budget management and resource allocation to support strategic objectives.

• Proficiency with technology and systems pertinent to international education and program management.

• Fluency in one or more foreign languages is highly desirable.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.

Vanderbilt University is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.

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Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education. Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, people with disabilities, and protected veterans are encouraged to apply.