Director, Global Fairfield- Fairfield Office

Fairfield University is a co-educational, comprehensive Jesuit university with a 200-acre campus located along the scenic shoreline community of Fairfield, CT. The University is comprised of approximately 3,500 undergraduate and 1,200 graduate students pursuing degrees within 5 schools: The College of Arts and Sciences, The Charles F. Dolan School of Business, The School of Engineering, The Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies, and School of Education and Human Development. As an expression of our Jesuit, Catholic mission and identity, Fairfield embraces a liberal humanistic approach to education, encouraging critical thinking, cultivating free and open inquiry, and fostering ethical and religious values.

Job Description:

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Department: Global Fairfield

Primary Work Location: Fairfield CT

Direct Supervisor: Associate Vice Provost Global Strategy

Directly Supervises: Assistant Director; International Student and Visa Manager; Curriculum Administrator; Student Advisor

Basic Function:

As a member of the leadership team for Global Fairfield, the Director assists the Associate Vice Provost Global Strategy in developing and implementing strategic priorities in the areas of study abroad programming and international student services. This position manages the day-to-day operations of the Fairfield Campus Office with oversight of study abroad services, international student services, and partner relations. The Director will also assist the AVP Global Strategy with implementation of new partnership initiatives.

Unusual Work Conditions: Evenings and/or weekends to participate on campus events and occasional national and international business travel.

Education, Certification, License, and Experience Requirements:

EDUCATION: Master’s Degree or equivalent related experience.

EXPERIENCE: 5-7 years’ experience with increasing responsibilities in Higher Education program management including both study abroad and international student services.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Demonstrated management of staff in an international education program environment.
• Demonstrated aptitude in Terra Dotta and student information systems.
• Solid experience in building and maintaining partner relations for growing study abroad programs.
• Must qualify to serve as DSO/ARO.
• Budget experience for projects and programs highly desirable.
• Ability to communicate effectively with students, administration & faculty, and parents about academic policy and procedures.
• Able to manage multiple timelines and deliverables.
• Excellent problem solving and mediation skills.
• Strong organizational and presentation skills required.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Strong cross-cultural communication skills desired.

Essential Functions:

Under the leadership of the AVP Global Strategy,

Manages day-to-day operations of Fairfield Office to ensure prompt, professional service for students, parents, partners and faculty. This involves:

• Overseeing study abroad and international student staff in the daily operations of the Fairfield Office
• Interpreting complex federal immigration regulations and researches responses before providing advice to students and administration on complex situations affecting enrollment, employment, travel, family and personal issues. These include regulations established by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of State (DOS), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and the Social Security Administration (SSA)
• Working with International Student and Visa Manager to recommend changes to policies and procedures with regard to international student experiences and programming
• Scheduling and running weekly Connecticut staff meeting
• Meeting weekly with the AVP and Florence Office Director
• Managing exchange partnerships to maintain exchange balances and ensure optimal student experiences
• Addressing problem escalations and keeping AVP informed of issues and outcomes
• Handling internal and external communications
• Serving as liaison to other University offices and external constituencies
• Training and supervising student workers and graduate assistants

Manages Partner Relations for the Office of Global Fairfield. This involves:

• Assisting AVP with development and implementation of new programs and partnerships including expanding relationships with Domestic partners to increase external enrollments.
• Representing Global Fairfield on Partner visits, Professional conferences and other external Global Fairfield related events.

Manages Support Systems and data reporting. This involves:

• Overseeing the TerraDotta and Workday operations for study abroad and international student support
• Overseeing staff in the development and maintenance of Procedures Manuals for assigned portfolios
• Collaborates closely with team on this process including conducting regular Procedures meetings and ensuring individuals deadlines are met for assigned outcomes
• Running weekly reports for AVP on study abroad and international student enrollments
• Compiling Statistical reports for Executive Leadership and Deans each semester
• Completing annual Open Doors reports for study abroad and international students
• Utilizes program evaluations and student survey findings to propose improvements to student services and program delivery

Work Schedule: 12-month role

Employee Type: Exempt and Supervisory