• Job Description

  Req#: 1395287
  Job Description:

  
  

  The Senior Director of Global Programs will facilitate Arcadia Abroad's mission of delivering excellence on all of our programs around the world. This position's core responsibility will be leading and supporting a high performing team of Directors across our overseas locations. The Senior Director will be charged with achieving goals that deepen engagement, enhance the student journey, and improve day-to-day operations work across all facets of global programming.

  
  

  The ideal candidate will be an outstanding communicator and a servant leader. They will lead by example, tackle complex program and operational issues with creativity and tenacity, and define their own success as enabling others to succeed. They will find joy and energy in enacting Arcadia Abroad's mission of "students at the center" and they will do so with integrity. Finally, they will thrive in a community that collaborates often, supports each other's work (with laughter as needed), and strives for continuous improvement in all that it does.

  
  

  Location: Remote

  Responsibilities :

  Capacity Building and Enterprise Leadership (15%)
  

  • Promote a culture of enterprise leadership, accountability and professional growth across the Global Programs. Ensure that the Programs and the opportunities they create are operated with standards of programmatic and operational excellence.
    
  • Work closely with COO and Directors of Global Programs to ensure the efficacious and efficient use of human, financial and project resources, as well as facilities, by attending to both local and organizational needs and priorities.
    
  • Facilitate strategy-informed collaboration across the Global Programs and Glenside teams to ensure that Directors are equipped with the skills and knowledge to execute initiatives effectively.
    
  • Establish and lead organization-wide working groups to foster innovative and sustainable implementation of strategic and tactical priorities ensuring continuous alignment.
    
  • Act as the primary liaison between Directors and domestic leadership, facilitating seamless communication and collaboration.
    
  • Assist in the development and implementation of in-country goals and initiatives ensuring that creativity, innovation and enterprise are guiding decisions.
    
  • Manage confidential, complex and high profile projects for the COO and Global Programs division
    

  Global Programs Oversight and Management (50%)
  

  • Lead a high performing team of Directors to the next level of programmatic and business excellence by ensuring that operations and programs delivery of the Global Programs operate consistently and in alignment with the Arcadia Abroad mission, vision, lived values, and brand.
    
  • In collaboration with the COO, oversee the Directors to ensure the successful day-to-day operation of Global Programs, including but not limited to, supporting program delivery, resolving issues in sourcing housing, orientations, excursions, and budgetary requests. Ensure that programs are executed efficiently and safely across regions.
    
  • Improve the operational infrastructure of Global Programs by building shared understanding, policy and process across global programs.
    
  • Oversee the end-to-end process for contract management for international vendors, ensuring a coordinated process for tracking and reporting on contract status and milestones for international staff, ensuring timely, organized submissions and minimizing last-minute urgencies. Proactively manage contract timelines and deliverables, enabling streamlined processing and clear communication with stakeholders and leadership.
    
  • Ensure contract accuracy and specificity by conducting thorough reviews of contractual language, terms, and financial provisions to safeguard the organization's interests and mitigate risk.
    
  • In collaboration with senior leadership, establish and implement a continuous improvement process for Global Programs delivery, focusing on delivering on the Arcadia Abroad mission, vision, lived values and brand.
    
  • In collaboration with the COO, work closely with the Directors on business continuity for the Global Programs' operations.
    
  • Oversee the development and management of operational budgets for each Global Program, ensuring effective allocation of resources. Monitor expenditures to ensure alignment with fiscal guidelines and strategic priorities. Approve direct reports credit card expenditures
    
    

  Staff Management and Training (20%)
  

  • Oversee the recruitment, hiring, supervision and evaluation of direct reports. Coordinate and implement their training.
    
  • Support direct reports in achieving goals that deepen engagement, enhance the student journey, and improve day-to-day operations of their Global Program.
    
  • Lead each direct report in developing annual plans and goals; provide counsel, advice, coaching, feedback and insight on implemented and coordinated strategies.
    
  • Ensure appropriate staff training, professional development, and performance management systems are in place.
    
  • Develop and implement training programs to enhance staff competency in Global Program operations, cross-cultural management, and compliance with international regulations.
    Policy and Process Development (10%)
    
  • Develop and administer operational policies, procedural manuals, and related documents, ensuring clarity and consistency across teams.
    
  • Create, revise, and implement policies and procedures ensuring compliance with University policies and procedures
    
  • Continually assess and refine operational processes to optimize efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance program effectiveness across regions.
    
  • Stay current on University policies and procedures and international regulations, paying particular attention to those associated with international business operations. Provide advice and direction on said policies and procedures to the COO and overseas teams.
    

  Representation (5%)
  

  • Represent the organization at external conferences, partnerships, and with stakeholders in global education, advocating for program priorities and building strategic relationships

  Qualifications :

  Education:
  

  • Master's degree required.

  Experience:
  

  • 10 years of experience in higher education, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
    
  • 5 years of proven success leading and managing international programs, particularly in education abroad, international development, or related sectors.
    
  • Demonstrated experience in managing budgets, operations, and teams across diverse cultural and geographical regions.
    
  • Experience negotiating and managing contracts, partnerships, and service agreements.
    

  Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
  

  • Strategic thinker with a solutions-oriented approach and results-driven mindset.
    
  • Strong leadership and people management skills, with the ability to manage cross-functional teams and drive organizational change.
    
  • Expertise in implementing organizational strategies and developing tactical initiatives.
    
  • Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to represent the organization to key stakeholders.
    
  • Exceptional organizational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to simultaneously drive multiple projects to successful outcomes.
    
  • Ability to foster productive collaboration and a work environment committed to creativity and innovation.
    
  • Familiarity with global education standards, international compliance regulations, and program impact measurement.
    
  • Ability to manage ambiguity and adapt to a rapidly changing global landscape.
    
  • Proactive, hands-on, and highly organized.

  Application Instructions :

  • Applications must be submitted online through Arcadia's Human Resources portal to receive full consideration. Please do not email application materials to the hiring manager. Due to the volume of applications received, communication will generally be limited to candidates selected for additional consideration.
  • Application review will begin immediately. Posting will be removed from the website once we've established a sufficient talent pool for consideration.

  Arcadia University is a top-ranked private University in Greater Philadelphia that provides a values-based educational experience by placing students at the center. The Institute of International Education has ranked Arcadia first nationally in study abroad for 10 of the last 13 years, and the Princeton Review has ranked Arcadia among the "Best in the Northeast" for eight consecutive years. The University's Physical Therapy and Physician Assistant programs are nationally ranked in their respective categories by U.S. News & World Report , which cites Arcadia for being among the top study abroad programs and among the "most innovative," and "best value" colleges. Arcadia promises a distinctively global, integrative, and personal learning experience that prepares students to contribute and lead in a diverse and dynamic world. Through its community of practice and commitment to Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) and to combating anti-Black Racism, Arcadia has made facilitating a safe and welcoming environment a priority. Learn more about our vibrant community at www.arcadia.edu .

  Our belief and experience is that there is strength in diversity and we are committed to building a welcoming and inclusive environment for students and employees alike. We are a community built on varied experiences and perspectives that benefits from open-minded discussion and cultural humility. Guided by our University's values, we are committed to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion, and we are working towards dismantling anti-Black racism/white supremacy and other forms of interpersonal and systemic discrimination and oppression.

  We welcome candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of our community. The successful candidate will demonstrate examples of ways they will incorporate our values . in their work.

  At Arcadia University, our JEDI principles (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) are the foundation of our highly regarded, values-based learning community, which reflects the world in which we want to live. As such, Arcadia actively seeks and welcomes candidates of diverse backgrounds and abilities. Arcadia prohibits discrimination against individuals on the basis of ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, age, gender identity, military or military veteran status, disability, family medical or genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristic. All offers of employment are conditional based on the successful completion of a background check. Employment may not begin until the University accepts the results of the background check.

  
  

  Position Code: AC981G

• About the company

  Arcadia University is a private university in Glenside, Pennsylvania.

Notice