"Director of International Initiatives"

Job Details

Posting Number: S14114P

Working Title: Director of International Initiatives

Department: OGE-International Partnerships

About the University of Georgia: Since our founding in 1785, the University of Georgia has operated as Georgia’s oldest, most comprehensive, and most diversified institution of higher education (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 235 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly formed School of Medicine.

About the College/Unit/Department: The Office of Global Engagement (OGE) at the University of Georgia is dedicated to expanding the global reach of our institution’s instructional, research, and service missions, facilitating the university’s thoughtful and effective participation and leadership in the interconnected world of the twenty-first century. OGE is comprised of three units: Immigration Services, International Initiatives, and Global Education—the latter including UGA’s residential centers in Oxford, England and Cortona, Italy—with all areas supported by dedicated Finance and Operations staff. OGE’s comprehensive structure enables it to advance strategic institutional goals aimed at raising the global profile of the University of Georgia. OGE’s primary tenets include providing transformative academic experiences abroad for UGA students, sponsoring international students and scholars on campus, and promoting finding solutions to complex global challenges through strategic international partnerships and international research collaborations.

College/Unit/Department website: globalengagement.uga.edu

Posting Type: External

Retirement Plan: TRS or ORP

Employment Type: Employee

Benefits Eligibility: Benefits Eligible

Full/Part time: Full Time

Additional Schedule Information: Your normal business hours will be Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm. There may be occasional evenings or weekend hours. Some travel may be required for this position.

Advertised Salary: Commensurate with experience

Posting Date: 09/15/2025

Open until filled: No

Closing Date: 10/06/2025

Proposed Starting Date: 12/01/2025

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Location of Vacancy: Athens Area

EEO Policy Statement: The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).

USG Core Values Statement: The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct. Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Classification Title: Community Relations Manager

FLSA: Exempt

FTE: 1.00

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent plus 10 years of professional experience to include 3 years of supervisory experience

Preferred Qualifications: Master’s degree preferred

Position Summary: The University of Georgia’s Office of Global Engagement (OGE) seeks a new Director of International Initiatives to lead our dynamic partnerships office in advancing UGA’s internationalization efforts and global research mission. A pivotal unit within OGE, International Initiatives serves as the strategic hub for cultivating and managing transformative collaborations with universities, research institutions, and organizations worldwide. We are looking for an entrepreneurial leader with a broad understanding of disciplinary research and academic culture who can navigate the complex landscape of international partnerships while driving innovation in global engagement. This role demands a strategic thinker capable of translating academic excellence into meaningful cross-border collaborations, from hosting high-level international delegations and executing complex partnership agreements to developing joint workshops and mobility programs, to identifying untapped opportunities for UGA faculty engagement on the global stage.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies:

Educational and Professional Background: International education or work experience demonstrating cross-cultural competency; Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible experience in international programs, partnerships, or related field

Core Competencies: Ability to identify, assess, and cultivate high-impact international collaborations aligned with institutional priorities; Exceptional interpersonal skills for engaging various international stakeholders, government officials, and academic leaders; Understanding of disciplinary research methodologies, funding landscapes, and academic collaboration models; Experience with international agreements, MOUs, regulatory compliance, and risk management in global partnerships

Analytical and Technical Skills: Ability to leverage data and metrics to evaluate partnership performance and identify strategic opportunities; Strong organizational skills to manage multiple complex initiatives, timelines, and stakeholder relationships simultaneously; Budget development, monitoring, and reporting for international programs and grants

Leadership and Communication: Self-directed leader who can identify opportunities, take initiative, and drive innovation in international engagement; Clear, persuasive communication skills for various audiences including faculty, administrators, and international partners

Specialized Knowledge: Understanding of global higher education systems, trends, and best practices in international collaboration; Familiarity with export controls, visa processes, international student/scholar regulations, and compliance requirements

Physical Demands: Be at a computer for long periods of time; Driving, as needed, to perform job related duties; Ability to travel both domestically and internationally

Is driving a responsibility of this position?: Yes

Is this a Position of Trust?: Yes

Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources?: Yes

Does this position require a P-Card?: No

Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position?: No

Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care?: No

Does this position have Security Access: Yes

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership in Global Engagement: Lead the planning and execution of senior-level academic and diplomatic visits, managing multifaceted logistics, protocol considerations, and stakeholder engagement to ensure seamless representation of UGA to international delegations, government officials, and institutional partners; Serve as the primary liaison for global partnership development, navigating complex institutional priorities, cultural nuances, and academic frameworks to broker sustainable, high-impact collaborations; Champion innovation by conducting environmental scans of global higher education trends, synthesizing insights across disciplines, and designing strategic initiatives that position UGA as a leader in international engagement; Lead and manage a professional staff team by providing strategic direction, assigning responsibilities, and delivering performance feedback to foster excellence in service delivery. (30% of time)
• Faculty Engagement and Program Development: Proactively identify and engage UGA faculty across various academic units, leveraging institutional data and strategic foresight to match faculty expertise with international opportunities and emerging global challenges; Facilitate cross-cultural academic exchanges and interdisciplinary initiatives; Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders, mediating competing interests, resolving complex partnership challenges, and fostering trust across a variety of cultural and institutional contexts. (25% of time)
• Grant and Budget Oversight: Direct internal grant programs supporting international initiatives, overseeing competitive review processes, compliance monitoring, and performance evaluation to ensure strategic alignment and measurable impact; Make sound decisions to optimize resource allocation, balancing strategic priorities with fiscal constraints, and implementing financial controls that safeguard institutional assets and support long-term sustainability. (20% of time)
• Contractual and Regulatory Management: Oversee the execution and management of international agreements, MOUs, and service contracts, providing strategic direction and final review while delegating operational responsibilities to the Assistant Director; Ensure coordination with legal counsel, risk management, and external partners to maintain clarity, enforceability, and alignment with institutional goals; Supervise the Assistant Director in monitoring compliance with export controls and institutional policies; Provide high-level interpretation of complex regulatory frameworks and assist faculty and staff across departments; Maintain oversight of internal controls and audit preparedness by reviewing documentation compiled by the Assistant Director and other staff. (10% of time)
• Grant Acquisition and Strategic Funding: Pursue federal and foundation grants to support capacity-building, public diplomacy, and global research initiatives, identifying funding opportunities, cultivating relationships with sponsors, and leading proposal development teams; Collaborate with faculty and external partners to develop competitive proposals, integrating interdisciplinary research goals, institutional priorities, and sponsor requirements into compelling narratives and budgets. (10% of time)
• Unit Development: Develop and implement departmental policies and procedures, ensuring consistency with university standards and responsiveness to evolving global engagement needs; Serve as a representative on university committees advocating for internationalization priorities, and influencing policy development at the campus level; Other duties as assigned. (5% of time)

Contact Details: For questions concerning this position or recruitment progression, please refer to the Recruitment Contact listed below: Name: Martin Kagel, Email: mkagel@uga.edu, Phone: 706-542-4767