Career Center

ABOUT POMONA COLLEGE:  Located near Los Angeles, California, Pomona College is widely regarded as one of the nation's premier liberal arts colleges. Established in 1887, Pomona College is known for small classes, a challenging curriculum, close relationships between students and faculty, and a range of student research and leadership opportunities. Pomona is a member of The Claremont Colleges.

POSITION SUMMARY:  Reporting to the Senior Director, International and Domestic Programs, the Assistant Director, Pomona Programs and Domestic Programs, is responsible for a comprehensive program of outreach, advising, preparation, and support for students interested in international and domestic programs, with a specific focus on Pomona Programs and Domestic Programs.  This position advises students on international and domestic study away opportunities; designs and conducts outreach for programs across campus; reviews program petitions and applications; develops and leads informational, orientation, and re-entry meetings; coordinates visitor activities; oversees program budgets; assists with monitoring and evaluation of programs; provides training and professional development to on-site Pomona Program staff and faculty leaders; and produces office publications.  The Assistant Director also communicates with program partners, updates program materials, prepares program reports, manages program accounts, and travels internationally and domestically as required. The Assistant Director collaborates with faculty, staff, students, and program partners to develop and enhance resources in support of equitable, inclusive, and academically engaging off-campus learning experiences.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Reporting directly to the Senior Director, International and Domestic Programs, the Assistant Director, Pomona Programs and Domestic Programs works independently and collaboratively to perform the following essential duties and responsibilities:

• Assist the Senior Director, International and Domestic Programs (IDP) and the IDP Committee in the administration of the IDP Office and its programs.

• Manage the portfolio of Pomona-administered study abroad programs (Pomona Programs) and domestic study away opportunities (Domestic Programs).

  • Provide knowledgeable and inclusive advising to interested students to determine the program best suited to their academic, professional, and personal goals and needs. Counsel students through the application, pre-departure, on-site, and return phases.

  • Design and lead information, orientation, and re-entry meetings, workshops, and events with the goal to help students prepare for and flourish in study away programs.

  • Develop and implement innovative strategies for outreach on campus to promote equity and access to study away programs.

  • Manage and oversee budget and accounts for Pomona Programs and Domestic Programs, including establishing budgets for Pomona Programs and distributing funds to program directors, payment of program tuition and fees to host institutions and service providers, supporting the travel allowance and flight booking process, and calculation and distribution of program allowances to students.

  • Review and monitor petitions and applications for Pomona Programs and Domestic Programs.

  • Create and facilitate trainings and professional development for college-based and overseas leaders of Pomona Programs.

  • Coordinate the program design and development phase of new faculty-led programs.

  • Manage the admissions process for incoming international exchange students.

  • Collaborate with academic and student service offices at the college to coordinate campus resources for participants in Pomona Programs and Domestic Programs.

  • Produce on-line and print copies of related publications.

  • Maintain accurate applications and records in Terra Dotta.

• Respond to student wellness issues and emergencies abroad and refer students to the appropriate resources to ensure safety and support.

• Serve as emergency contact on campus during onsite phase of faculty-led programs.

• Maintain up-to-date information on the College’s study abroad and domestic study away programs, policies, and procedures; communicate updates clearly and efficiently through web, print, electronic, and other sources.

• Communicate effectively and promptly with students, parents, faculty, staff, program providers, and partner institutions.

• Prepare reports on programs for faculty committees.

• Assist with program development and assessment.

• Assist with development and implementation of program policies, procedures, budgeting, and strategic planning.

• Collaborate with office staff to ensure efficiency and consistency across programs.

• Travel to domestic and international sites as required.

• Assist with supervision of staff, interns, and student workers.

• Coordinate the flow of work in office to ensure quality service.

• Produce on-line and print copies of office publications.

• Schedule student meetings with faculty, staff, and program alumni in a timely manner.

• Coordinate visitor activities.

• Perform special projects/tasks/duties and provide assistance as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in a liberal arts field, or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience required. Master’s degree in a related discipline is preferred.

• Licenses/Certificates: A valid driver’s license or equivalent means of reliable transportation to off-site meetings and events is required.

• Experience: Three to five years of professional experience in international programs or a related field with increasing responsibility in administration and student advising is required.  Experience in a college or university setting, supporting faculty-led international programs, and knowledge of a foreign language is preferred. Significant experience studying, living, working, and/or traveling abroad is strongly preferred.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND CRITICAL SKILLS:  This position must possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities to be able to successfully perform the essential functions of the job or must be able to demonstrate how the essential functions will be performed (with or without reasonable accommodation) using other knowledge, skills, and abilities not listed below.

• Deploy professional skills in international and domestic programming and administration, in collaboration with colleagues, to best promote the College’s strategic interests.

  • Have significant international/intercultural experience.

  • Ability to share own experiences as a mentor and assist students in goal setting, contextualizing, and processing their experiences. Model cross-cultural skills on campus and during travel, including adaptability, intercultural communication, resourcefulness, and initiative.

  • Knowledge of professional standards of conduct and code of ethics in the field.

  • Communicate well with individuals and groups, in both formal and informal meetings and presentations.

  • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of international and domestic travel practices, including ID requirements, securing visas, booking travel, currency exchange, health and safety, etc.

  • Familiarity with administrative structures of Pomona College and international and domestic program partners.

  • Demonstrate ability to manage budgets and finances for a multi-million-dollar portfolio of international programs using university financial systems.

  • Demonstrate ability to manage billing/collection and payment systems.

  • Use exceptional organizational and time management skills to complete work with accuracy and a keen attention to detail. Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.

  • Show initiative and creativity in contributions to regular office practices, annual goals, and long-term strategic planning.

• Must understand and communicate the mission and history of the College’s liberal arts environment

• Demonstrate effective, accurate, and clear communication with excellent verbal, written, interpersonal, reading, phone, customer service, and leadership skills to facilitate, motivate, support, and inspire a highly diverse group of students. 

• Follow all written and verbal instructions, asking questions as needed for clarification of projects/tasks/duties/assignments.

• Operate computers proficiently with proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office software (such as Word, Excel, and Outlook) and associated professional software.  Use assigned technology/devices/equipment to achieve annual goals and maintain confidentiality.

• Handle all activities and highly confidential information with patience, discretion, good judgment, courtesy, and tact while working with people from a wide variety of backgrounds.

• Prioritize and perform multiple projects/tasks, meet deadlines/timelines, respond to others in a timely manner, and work both independently and as a collaborative member of the College with a high standard of integrity and ethics, in support of the College’s strategic vision and the division’s/department’s annual goals.

New employees are required to show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 or request a Pomona College-approved medical or religious exemption on or before their first day of employment.  If you are unable to do so, at the College’s sole discretion, it will work with you to reasonably adjust your start date.  Please let your Human Resources know if you are unable to provide proof of vaccination or want to request a religious or medical exemption before or on your first day of employment.  Note that if you request a religious or medical exemption, it may delay your start date so that we can review and discuss your request.

REQUIRED HOURS:  The regular hours for this full time position are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday – Friday.  Holiday, weekend and evening work hours will be required.  Travel internationally and domestically will be required.  Regular hours may vary due to needs of the College or division.

ADDITIONAL POSITION DETAILS:  Regular, full-time, exempt position. All staff positions are ineligible for visa or permanent resident card sponsorship.  As a California employer, Pomona College requires all employees to be residents of California.