Director, International Partnerships and Engagement

Description

Initial Review Date: 05/28/26*

*Any complete applications received after the review date will only be forwarded to the hiring committee at their request.

The Foothill - De Anza Community College District does not have a remote work policy. All employees are expected to be available to work in person and on-site per the requirement of the department.

The Foothill-De Anza Community College District does not reimburse applicants for travel, lodging or any other costs incurred by applicant to attend interviews. All interviewing costs incurred will be the responsibility of the applicant.

Foothill - De Anza Community College District Mission Statement:

The mission of the Foothill-De Anza Community College District is student success and educational excellence. The district and its colleges provide access to affordable, quality educational programs and services that develop a broadly educated and socially responsible community that supports an equitable and just future for California and the global community. Every member of our district contributes to a dynamic instructional and learning environment that fosters student engagement, equal opportunity, and innovation in meeting the various educational and career goals of our diverse students. Foothill-De Anza is driven by an equity agenda and core values of integrity, inclusion, care for our students' well-being, and sustainability.

POSITION PURPOSE
Reporting to the Executive Director, International Student Programs, this position is responsible for overseeing the strategy and management of all international partnerships for Foothill College, De Anza College, and the District. These strategies will ensure international enrollment growth, campus internationalization, cross-cultural learning opportunities, and heightened global recognition.

NATURE and SCOPE:

The Director is responsible for developing and executing districtwide strategies and exercises independent judgment in identifying, cultivating, and managing international partnerships in alignment with District priorities.

The position requires extensive domestic and international travel (up to three to four months annually), including planning and conducting complex, multi-country itineraries. The Director represents the District and its colleges in high-level external settings and develops and maintains relationships with a wide range of partners, including international secondary schools, colleges and universities, EducationUSA, U.S. ambassadors and consular officials, foreign governments, corporations, Fulbright/IIE, and current and prospective students and their families.

The Director cultivates and sustains relationships with educational advising partners, including agency owners, independent counselors, and recruitment agents, and provides ongoing training to ensure accurate representation of District programs and alignment with enrollment goals.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Duties and responsibilities are typical but not limited to the following:

1. Working closely with the Executive Director, International Student Programs, the Director, International Student Recruitment and Marketing, and other campus constituents, plan, implement, and coordinate international enrollment management strategies related to partner engagement, including agreements, special programs, and training, for Foothill-De Anza Community College District (FHDA), which ensure international growth and global recognition.
2. Develop and maintain relationships with external partners in the United States and abroad to attract qualified international students and strengthen FHDA's global presence, including prospective students and families, U.S. and foreign government officials, corporations, international organizations, educational institutions, advising partners, and agents.
3. Plan and conduct international outreach visits with partners, families, and students multiple times each year, including extended travel of up to one month in duration across diverse regions, including locations with complex, rapidly changing logistical and political conditions.
4. Oversee and evaluate the effectiveness of international partnerships and related initiatives through analysis of recruitment outcomes, program participation, and strategic impact; provide guidance to staff responsible for international recruitment, outreach activities, and admissions on best practices when working with partners.
5. Work closely with the Director, International Student Recruitment and Marketing to coordinate international marketing and recruitment activities, as they relate to partnerships and other initiatives, on behalf of the District; work with the Executive Director, International Student Programs to increase awareness and visibility of existing partnerships across the District and externally.
6. Lead and oversee the planning and coordination of international partnership initiatives, including familiarization visits, campus visits by current and prospective partners, short-term and special programs, U.S. government initiatives, and related collaborative activities, and participate in the coordination and implementation of these programs to strengthen institutional relationships and support international enrollment pipelines.
7. Work closely with the Executive Director, International Student Programs, the Director, International Student Recruitment and Marketing, and International Student Programs staff to set internationalization, recruitment, and non-resident strategy. Consult with District and college leadership, as appropriate, to ensure alignment with institutional priorities and compliance with District policies and applicable state and federal laws.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge of:

1. International admissions and partnerships.
2. Ethical business practices.
3. Thorough knowledge of F-1/J-1 visa immigration regulations, Department of Homeland Security/SEVIS regulations, and federal regulations relating to international students
4. Comprehensive knowledge of foreign educational systems.
5. Information systems and CRM software (Slate).
6. Principles of project management.

Skills and Abilities:

1. Understanding of, sensitivity to, and respect for the diverse academic, socio-economic, ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds, disability, and sexual orientation of community college students, faculty and staff.
2. Experience with crisis management.
3. Strong intercultural and interpersonal communication skills: strong relationship management skills.
4. Extensive experience managing programs involving complex multi-cultural issues within large organizations.
5. Strong project management skills.
6. Extensive experience with enrollment management.
7. Extensive experience planning and conducting complex international travel itineraries and traveling independently as well as in groups.
8. Highly independent decision-making to respond both to changing and difficult circumstances that may arise while traveling, and to a variety of business opportunities that might present themselves while abroad.

Education and Experience:

1. Bachelor's degree
2. Two (2) years of related work experience with at least one (1) year leadership experience. Significant experience working with international educational advising partners, agents, or with institutional agreements.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Fluency in a language in addition to English.
2. Master's Degree or equivalent.
3. Five (5) years of related work experience in the higher education sector with at least one (1) year leadership experience.
4. Experience living or working abroad.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Environment:

1. Typical office environment.
2. Must be able to travel overseas independently for periods of up to one month at a time multiple times a year.

Physical Abilities:

1. Hearing and speaking to exchange information in person and on the telephone and make presentations.
2. Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard.
3. Vision sufficient to read various materials.
4. Sitting for extending periods of time.
5. Bending at the waist.
6. Lifting and carrying objects up to 50 lbs.

APPLICATION PACKET:

1. A District on-line application on http://hr.fhda.edu/careers/. *In the application, you will provide information, which demonstrates your understanding of, sensitivity to, and respect for the diverse academic, socio-economic, ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds, disability, and sexual orientation of community college students, faculty and staff. Additionally, you will be asked to explain how your life experiences, studies or work have influenced your commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
2. A cover letter addressing your qualifications for the position.
3. A current resume of all work experience, formal education and training.

If any required application materials are omitted, the committee will not review your application. Items not required (including reference letters) will not be accepted. For full-consideration, all application packets must be received by 11:59 pm on the closing date.

Please allow yourself ample time to complete your application and resolve any technical difficulties that may arise with your submission. We do not guarantee a response to application questions within 48 hours of the closing date.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Position: Full-Time, Contract, 12-months per year

Starting date: As soon as possible upon completion of the search process.

Annual salary plus benefits; excellent benefits package which includes coverage for employee and eligible dependents, dental, vision care, employee assistance program, long term disability, retirement benefits and basic life insurance. For information on our benefits package that includes medical for employees and dependents, visit our web site: http://hr.fhda.edu/benefits/index.html