Career Center

Assistant Director, International Programs

Job Posting Location: Claremont, CA

Job Description:
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, International Programs, is responsible for a comprehensive program of outreach, advising, preparation, and support for students interested in international programs.  This position advises students on international program opportunities; oversees, designs, and conducts outreach for international programs across campus; reviews international program petitions and applications; develops and leads informational, orientation, and re-entry meetings; coordinates visitor activities; and produces office publications.  The Assistant Director also oversees the peer mentor program, 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 learning experiences abroad.

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

• Assist the Senior Director, International and Domestic Programs and the International and Domestic Programs Committee in the administration of the International and Domestic Programs Office and its programs.
• Manage the portfolio of third-party provider administered international 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, advising, orientation, and re-entry programs, workshops, and events with the goal to help students prepare for and flourish in international programs.
• Develop and implement innovative strategies for outreach on campus to promote equity and access to international programs.
• Manage and oversee program budget and accounts for third-party provider administered international programs, including payment of program tuition and fees to third party providers, and calculation and distribution of international program allowances to students.
• Review and monitor petitions and applications for international programs.
• Respond to student wellness issues and emergencies abroad and refer students to the appropriate resources to ensure safety and support.
• Recruit, select, hire, train, and supervise graduate intern and student peer mentors.
• Oversee travel allowance and flight booking process for all programs.
• Oversee the office’s outreach strategy and coordinate with other staff members to ensure consistency of processes, timelines, materials, and communication.
• Maintain up-to-date information on the college’s international and domestic 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.
• Coordinate the flow of work in office to ensure quality service.
• Collaborate with academic and student service offices at the college to coordinate campus resources for students participating in international programs.
• Produce online 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 International Education or 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 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 study abroad 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 abroad. Model cross-cultural skills on campus and in international 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 travel practices, including ID requirements, securing visas, booking travel, currency exchange, health and safety, etc.
• Familiarity with administrative structures of Pomona College and overseas program partners.
• Demonstrate ability to manage budgets and finances for a multi-million dollar portfolio of international programs using university financial systems.
• Demonstrated 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. 
• Exhibit independent initiative, expertise, judgement, and problem-solving skills to lead projects, advise students, manage responsibilities, and address issues that arise.
• 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 HR Business Partner 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.

ADDITIONAL POSITION DETAILS: Regular, full-time, exempt position. Starting Salary: $65,000 annually.  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.

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 may be required. Travel may be required. Regular hours vary due to needs of the College or division.

TO APPLY: Please submit your resume and cover letter to https://theclaremontcolleges.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/POM_Careers/job/Assistant-Director--International-Programs_REQ-5169

You may submit both resume and cover letter as one attachment in the My Experience section of the application under the "resume/CV" upload section. Once you submit your application, you will not be able to attach additional documents. Review of applications will begin in early January.

POMONA COLLEGE REWARDS:  Pomona College offers a wide variety of benefits and perks including health, dental, and vision plan options; paid time off; flexible spending accounts; retirement benefits; tuition assistance; fitness and wellness programs; rideshare incentives; and so much more! 

Pomona College prides itself in being an open, competitive, and equal opportunity employer.

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About Pomona College

The Claremont Colleges, a consortium of five undergraduate liberal arts colleges, two graduate institutions, and Claremont University Consortium, which provides shared institutional support services, is reminiscent of the Oxford-Cambridge model. The undergraduate colleges include Pomona College, Scripps College, Claremont McKenna College, Harvey Mudd College, and Pitzer College. The two graduate institutions include Claremont Graduate University and Keck Graduate Institute.

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