Director of Study Abroad

DESCRIPTION

The Director of Study Abroad UC San Diego is responsible for oversight and management, as well as timely and effective delivery of, the strategic planning, development, and management through others the programs, partnerships, and services of Study Abroad UC San Diego in collaboration with the Senior Director for Strategic Global Initiatives and AVC-Global Initiatives. Foresee policy and procedure changes due to federal regulations and an ever-changing international academic community and provide innovative new programs and policies for the educational process involving programs abroad. Independently directs operations, services, programs, budget, facilities and personnel.

Acts as the primary liaison with Risk Management in advising campus leadership on all matters related to health and safety of students abroad and risk management of all student mobility and risk relative to Global Initiatives. Advises Campus leadership on implementation of safety and risk management procedures and practices from university, state, federal, and international guidelines and trends. Manages crisis situations involving death or injury of exchange students and education abroad participants as well as more complex advising cases.

The Director functions as principal advisor on all matters of outbound student mobility, including fiscal, safety, and security issues to the VC Student Affairs and Campus Life, AVC Global Initiatives, Senior Director of Strategic Global Initiatives and other campus leadership as needed. Initiates program planning and problem solving with faculty, academic departments, administrators, students and staff at all levels of UC San Diego. Manages all outbound study abroad programs, including campus and department based bilateral exchanges, the Education Abroad Program, and UC San Diego’s Global Seminars (GS), and other programs. Oversees comprehensive outreach, campus-wide recruitment of faculty and students, academic and non-academic advising, selection, orientation, and reentry support for all mobility operations.

Ensures overall program quality and development; represents UC San Diego Study Abroad to campus and system wide offices and committees including the system-wide University of California Education Abroad Program (UCEAP). Provides leadership in strategic planning and development of services in support of the mission of Global Initiatives and Study Abroad UC San Diego.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.

• Advanced knowledge of advising and counseling techniques. ** Demonstrated leadership and comprehensive knowledge of campus programs, campus departments, their activities and processes to understand the impact of curriculum changes on operations, in order to establish appropriate advising standards for the unit, including standards of confidentiality and discretion in dealing with controversial and/or sensitive issues/situations.

• Knowledge of common University-specific computer application programs and knowledge of University and departmental principles and procedures involved in risk assessment and evaluating risks as to likelihood and consequences. ** Demonstrated computer and web development experience and skills to apply and learn various programs (word processing, spreadsheets, databases) and to lead website organization to accomplish outreach and intake and advising online. Ability to assess technology needs and develop strategies to meet long and short-range network-based collaboration and outreach goals. Sophisticated knowledge of student information related systems and the technology required to serve the programs, students, staff, and campus partners.

• Demonstrated leadership experience record of achievement in developing a workplace rooted in teamwork with a commitment to the highest levels of customer service. Demonstrated ability and success increasing diversity of staff and student participants, through leadership commitment, professional knowledge and research, implementation of effective outreach and advising, code of ethics, quality control standards and practices.

• Skills in project management, social perceptiveness to be aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

• Excellent organizational and time management skills to establish goals and prioritize workload of self and others; ability to meet strict deadlines; ability to work efficiently and effectively on multiple projects with competing deadlines; flexibility in dealing with people and competing demands; ability to manage details of complex projects and events and to independently follow through to successful completion.

• Ability in problem identification, reasoning. ** Demonstrated high level critical thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills to anticipate/identify needs and problems, propose and implement solutions. Expert ability to interact with tact and diplomacy, to work collaboratively and engender trust when undertaking unfamiliar projects/assignments, to research solutions and best practices among other campuses, and respond to requests for professional consultation from UCSD faculty and staff. Demonstrated expert skills and professional knowledge to plan and implement complex projects and events.

• Ability to develop original ideas to solve problems, persuade others, and lead. ** Proven experience to conceptualize, plan and implement all aspects of a large and growing Study Abroad unit. Managerial experience with expert knowledge of international education and study abroad issues, trends, policies and practices in higher education. Extensive professional knowledge of best practices in international education and in study and experiential opportunities abroad, UC-wide and at other universities in the US and abroad. Expert ability to research, adapt and implement best practices in student development and study abroad for the UCSD campus.

• Extensive experience and expert ability to identify campus resources and to foster strong, collaborative outreach and positive relationships with campus- and system-wide offices and administrative staff contacts. Working knowledge of academic department, major, minor and general education requirements which can be satisfied by academic programs abroad, faculty areas of expertise and support of international programs to effectively foster support on campus for the greater goals of internationalization.

• Proven ability to lead the development, implementation and evaluation of all outreach and recruitment programs and activities for an education abroad program. Expertise, creativity and initiative to direct outreach to underrepresented populations. Ability to innovate and develop new strategies for outreach to students in collaboration with faculty and staff in academic departments and Colleges.

• Proven ability to organize and produce professional and accurate statistical and organizational progress reports and public relations materials.

• Expert knowledge and ability to interpret, help develop and apply policies and procedures of UC Education Abroad Program (UCEAP), UC San Diego's Opportunities Abroad Program and Global Seminars, the University of California and of UC San Diego.

• Experience living, studying and/or working abroad. Knowledge about a wide variety of countries, cultures and foreign educational systems. Familiarity with international political, social, cultural and safety and security issues as they pertain to educational exchange. Familiarity with regional and national and international study abroad networks and resources.

• Demonstrated experience and expertise in managing a complex and growing organization; setting priorities, organizing, delegating, and coordinating complex tasks with attention to overall goals and specific details under time constraints with frequently changing priorities.

• Proven experience in supervising, managing, motivating and leading staff. Proficiency to instruct, train and direct the work of others through clear instructions and guidelines; analyzing workflow and capabilities and aptitude in determining optimal staff configurations to meet operational and service needs adjusting direction appropriately as required.

• Skill in budget and financial management. Skill and experience to make realistic, equitable fiscal decisions, and prepare cogent budgetary and annual reports. Ability to analyze short-and long-term fiscal needs and address them through systematic analysis and implementation of revenue-generating options including fees, grants, partnerships, and fund-raising efforts.

• Knowledge of and experience in conflict management and intervention strategies. Must possess a strong portfolio of interpersonal skills: ability to interact with tact and diplomacy with individuals from a variety of backgrounds and organizational levels, ability to disarm anger and constructively handle complaints, ability to be flexible, to work collaboratively and to listen well and engender trust. - Successful experience in forming collaborative partnerships with campus departments and off-campus organizations in developing programs and services.

• Experience with strategic planning and project management.

• Extensive knowledge of university-systems around the world as well as familiarity with rankings and peer institutions.

• Experience working with program partners to develop, manage and run faculty-led programs.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Job offer is contingent on clearing a Background Check.

• This position is a mandated reporter of known or suspected child abuse or neglect, according to the California law, Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA).

• Must be able to conduct international travel as needed. Must be able to obtain a valid passport for international travel as needed.