Associate Director

How to Apply

To apply, please submit one document containing your cover letter and resume. A cover letter is required to be considered for this position.

Who We Are

The Center for Global and Intercultural Study (CGIS) develops inclusive and accessible educational opportunities around the globe, primarily for LSA undergraduates. Our academically rich programs foster intellectual curiosity and intercultural understanding by encouraging students and faculty to engage with host communities through conscious and responsible participation. CGIS is committed to furthering diversity within study abroad.

Responsibilities*

The Associate Director oversees the implementation of the unit goals, vision, and mission as they align with College and Institutional priorities:

• Work closely with the CGIS director and leadership team to identify on-going priorities, make policy decisions, and resolve complex faculty and student matters. 
• Serve as back up to the director; making key decisions as necessary and handling emergent issues.  
• Assist with executing college policies and programming.
• Implement new programs and advise on changes that will strengthen CGIS' overall program portfolio.
• Help bring programming and operational teams together to ensure efficient processes and resolve issues. 
• Encourage a positive working environment across the center; identify team building activities and ways to recognize staff achievements. 

Lead a team of 7 International Program Advisors:

• Supervise advising staff; conduct regular meetings and assess performance; address performance issues as they arise.
• Develop individual professional development goals with each advisor.
• Assess staffing needs/define roles & responsibilities to ensure the unit can achieve its goals. 
• Ensure consistency across programs, processes, communications, student sessions, and policy enforcement.
• Hire new advising staff and calibrate workloads necessary.
• Oversee policies and practices related to admissions, advising, and orientation sessions. 
• Troubleshoot student, partner and faculty issues related to individual programs; serve as back up when advisors are out.
• Implement changes to advising portfolios and roll out changes in conjunction with the advising team.
• Identify opportunities for advisors to work with other units in LSA and UM.
• Ensure advising staff regularly participate in trainings that allow for inclusive and comprehensive advising.

Program Coordination:

• Leverage existing relationships and build new partnerships (where necessary) with program providers/partners to initiate faculty led programs. 
• Work with international partners and advising team to conduct requests for proposals and set up all on-site arrangements for CGIS faculty led programs including any onsite instruction, excursions, program pricing, and logistical matters.  
• Work closely with faculty and departments on campus when administering faculty led programs to ensure mutual objectives are achieved and consistency among program types.
• Address issues with program providers as appropriate. 
• Strategize ways to address enrollment shortfalls, over enrolled programs, and other obstacles to running a program. 

Liaise with academic units and administrative offices on campus:

• Connect with academic units to understand how to best serve student needs and identify how study abroad can help meet departmental requirements. 
• Streamline processes and build relationships with the Office of Financial Aid, Registrar 's Office, Dean of Students, Office of Student Conflict Resolution, Newnan Advising Center, etc. 
• Collaborate with study abroad offices across campus to identify and resolve common issues and explore best practices. 
• Coordinate resources to best support students.

Student support and outreach:

• Ensure programs are accessible to a wide range of students.
• Implement  best practices and edit resources for advising, orienting, and supporting students of various identities within study abroad.
• Build partnerships with key departments and organizations to promote study among a large range of students, including those who may not have previously considered study abroad.
• Explore programming in less traditional locations and disciplines.

Special projects as assigned:

• Serve on campus committees. 
• Represent CGIS at professional meetings and conferences. 
• Make occasional site visits to evaluate potential partners and assess current partners.
• Assist with special events and emergencies; including willingness to work evenings and weekends and make adjustments to in person schedule as necessary. 

Required Qualifications*

• Min 4 years direct advising experience in study abroad and 3 years supervising regular staff.
• Comprehensive and practical knowledge of study abroad in a higher-education setting including experience troubleshooting a variety of issues.
• Masters degree.
• Demonstrated experience helping students who do not traditionally study abroad to overcome barriers to participation.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and prioritize deadlines, both individually and across a team.
• Previous experience coordinating customized programs/working with faculty and providers to develop programs, and with program budgeting.
• Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills with a demonstrated ability to build strong team dynamics.
• Commitment to maintaining positive and productive relationships with stakeholders across the University (students, parents, staff, faculty, etc.).
• Ability to collaborate and work well with students, faculty, and staff from a wide range of disciplines, experiences, and identities.

Desired Qualifications*

• Knowledge of intercultural theory and/or pedagogy. 
• Demonstrated ability to review and negotiate terms of RFPs. 
• Experience facilitating sessions for faculty and/or staff.
• Familiarity with UM systems and Terra Dotta.
• Experience in curriculum design and development.

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.