Director for Programs Abroad Office

Center for Global Engagement

Director, Programs Abroad Office

University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Expected salary $85,000 - $95,000

Regular, Full-Time Exempt

The Center for Global Engagement, (CGE), is committed to serving as a gateway to the world for all our students, faculty, staff and to making a global impact. Does the idea of making a global impact through research, partnerships, education abroad programs, student and faculty exchange, and diverse cultural events excite you?

CGE seeks candidates who are collaborative, innovative and strategic thinking to lead the Programs Abroad Office (PAO). Reporting to the Vice Provost for International Affairs, PAO is a critical component of the UT global vision. It is an exciting and highly visible opportunity for an innovative leader with demonstrated experience to oversee the breadth of UT’s education abroad portfolio.

Position Summary: The Director oversees the leadership and management of the Programs Abroad Office (PAO) in the Center for Global Engagement (CGE). As a member of the CGE leadership team, the Director contributes to the development and implementation of a global strategic plan for the CGE and UT Knoxville. The PAO facilitates student participation in UT faculty-led, service learning and affiliate study abroad programs. This population numbers approximately 1500 students annually. The financial scope of the office is $5 million annually and carries a sizable account portfolio of nearly 200 accounts. The Director will manage a team of eight and oversee program and management and development. Competency in risk management, crisis response, study abroad advising and external partnership relationship management are key areas of responsibility.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree and three years of supervisory experience.
• Five years of experience working in a study abroad position in higher education or the global education field
• Understanding of transfer credit, academic and financial aid policies governing study abroad programs and student advising
• Previous participation in crisis management and campus response protocols and procedures
• Experience living, studying, working or traveling abroad

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of international education programs and foreign academic systems
• Excellent leadership, administrative and problem-solving skills
• Ability to set priorities and navigate complex organizational ecosystems to accomplish objectives
• Strong interpersonal, supervisory, and organizational skills
• Ability to cultivate, leverage and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders as well as professional partners
• Budgetary and financial management skills and ability to implement human resources policies
• Ability to communicate effectively in a multi-cultural environment
• Knowledge of world events, awareness of and sensitivity to cultural differences
• Ability to learn, use and optimize a variety of computer software and database programs

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Master’s degree and six years of supervisory experience in study abroad programs
• Three years of leadership experience in global education field
• Experience managing transfer credit, academic and financial aid processes governing study abroad programs and student advising.
• Experience as the primary point of contact when emergency situations occur during study abroad programs, when taking the lead in the execution of crisis management and campus protocols was necessary

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to help set organizational priorities based on systems thinking, and the skills to lead collaborative efforts to accomplish them
• Knowledge of working with and managing responsibility centered management budget model
• Ability to see beyond the scope of mobility programs and work with the CGE leadership team to develop and execute comprehensive global learning model for UTK.

Work schedule: This is an on-campus position with some flexibility for working a hybrid/remote schedule. The successful candidate must be willing to work occasionally on weekends, evenings, and/or overnights while traveling.

To be considered, interested candidates must submit a formal application that includes a cover letter, CV or resume and the names and contact information of three professional references. Inquiries about the opportunity may be directed to Tennion Reed, Executive Recruitment Coordinator, at treed7@utk.edu.

Please submit the application and all requested materials before Friday, March 24, 2023.

UT Knoxville has prioritized its vision for global engagement, with plans to enhance the institutional global brand and the comprehensiveness of the global learning for our students. The successful candidate will bring vision and strategy for undergraduate education abroad that compliments UT’s global vision, integrates the student international experience and the Volunteer experience. The selected candidate will have the vision to deepen the faculty engagement, and to ensure that global opportunities are high quality and accessible to all students. The director must champion diversity, equity and inclusion and lead with a spirit of humanity, generosity and empathy. The successful candidate will possess a demonstrated commitment to these principles.

CGE is comprised of seven units (Asia Engagement, Communications, English Language Institute, Global Research, the International House, International Student and Scholar Services, and Programs Abroad) who are responsible for working throughout campus, across Tennessee and around the world to provide enriching and diverse international experiences for faculty, students and scholars.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) is a modern R-1 land-grant university with approximately 29,000 students, 9500+ faculty and staff, 11 colleges, and 300+ degree programs. There are more than 1600 international students and scholars on the campus. The University is located on a 580-acre campus in the city of Knoxville in eastern Tennessee, near the Great Smoky Mountains. The University of Tennessee Knoxville campus is seeking candidates who have the ability to contribute in meaningful ways to the diversity and intercultural goals of the University.

The City of Knoxville is a hidden gem with a beautiful and walkable downtown, a diverse music scene including internationally recognized festivals, active neighborhoods, unique restaurants, and a robust offering of diverse cultural and outdoor activities. Knoxville is located within easy driving distance to the Great Smoky Mountains, Atlanta, Nashville, Asheville, Charlotte, Louisville, and Cincinnati. It is only a day’s drive to Memphis, Chicago, and Washington D.C. Knoxville and the surrounding counties have a population of more than 850,000 people.