Director of the Center for International Engagement

The Center for International Engagement (CIE), housed in Academic Affairs, advances Trinity University's commitment to global learning and intercultural engagement. As the institutional hub for international programs, CIE provides strategic leadership for study abroad, international student and scholar services, and global partnerships, ensuring compliance and responsible risk management. Located in a new welcoming, centrally located campus space, CIE collaborates with faculty and partners to support the internationalization of the curriculum and expand access to meaningful global learning experiences. It also connects international students, faculty and staff with campus life and resources, celebrating and promoting cultural exchange across the university.

Trinity University is guided by a set of core values and is committed to implementing practices in pursuit of an inclusive campus for all students, faculty, and staff to feel welcomed and engaged in a community of learning.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic and Institutional Leadership (35%)

Lead institution-wide initiatives to advocate for, provide strategic oversight of, manage, and coordinate the development of programs that support the Center's internationalization goals. Actively participate in university-wide strategic planning processes to help shape the university's global priorities and future direction.

• Strategic Planning and Assessment: Provide executive leadership for planning and assessment efforts, leveraging meaningful data to ensure continuous improvement of Center's programs and services. Oversee and guide staff in the development and implementation of effective assessment strategies, including financial analysis and key performance indicators (KPIs), for ongoing program review.
• Collaborative Program Enhancement of Study Abroad: Provide strategic oversight and direction to staff for the continuous refinement of the center's study abroad portfolio, with a focus on ensuring the development of fiscally responsible and logistically sustainable models. Collaborate with academic leadership, faculty, and international partners to develop new opportunities and enhance existing programs. Ensure program alignment with student accessibility and affordability, student learning outcomes, university curriculum, and academic integrity through collaboration with the Associate Provost and Academic Deans.
• Student and Scholar Engagement: Provide strategic leadership and oversight to staff responsible for designing and implementing comprehensive initiatives that foster a strong sense of community and belonging for international students and scholars. Ensure these efforts effectively connect international community members with campus life and resources, celebrate and promote meaningful cultural exchange across the university. Serve as a Designated School Official (DSO), as delegated and in coordination with the Principal Designated School Official (PDSO), providing institutional oversight of compliance processes supporting adherence to applicable government regulations. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant regulatory developments and ensure regulatory and institutional information is communicated clearly and accessibly to students and scholars.
• International Partnerships and Global Strategy: Provide executive oversight of the lifecycle of international agreements, including Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) and exchange programs. This includes close collaboration with the Associate Provost and Academic Deans. Advise and guide faculty and leadership on developing global initiatives and affiliations. Implementing the university's global priorities in collaboration with senior leadership. Monitor the progress of all international agreements and provide regular updates and reports to stakeholders. Coordinate and facilitate visits for delegations from partner and potential institutions, and assist in organizing visits for Trinity delegations abroad.

Organizational Leadership and Team Development (30%)

• Organizational Leadership: Lead and unify a diverse team across Study Abroad and International Student and Scholar Services to advance the Center's mission.
• Operational Excellence: Drive the Center's operational effectiveness through strategic oversight of planning, shared space utilization, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Policy and Process Development: Formulate, implement, and refine policies and procedures, and guide the development of standard operating procedures to ensure consistent and high-quality services.
• Talent Management, Professional Growth and Mentorship: Provide leadership oversight for all aspects of the talent lifecycle, including recruiting, hiring, onboarding, training, and continuous evaluation, with a focus on fostering effective and compassionate service. Champion professional development initiatives emphasizing strengths-based coaching, team building, and the innovative use of emerging technologies.
• Cultivating Culture: Proactively address team conflicts and challenges to foster a positive, inclusive, and high-performing work environment that supports and empowers staff.

Strategic Fiscal Management and Fiscal Reporting (15%)

• Financial Leadership: Provide strategic leadership for budget planning and execution across the Center. Guide staff in developing long-term financial strategies. Prepare and submit annual budget requests to senior leadership. Conduct quarterly budgetary reviews in collaboration with budget analysts to ensure fiscal responsibility and strategic resource allocation.
• Scholarship Program Oversight: Oversee scholarship programs, ensuring fair, transparent, and efficient processes in collaboration with Academic Deans, the Director for Advising, and other stakeholders.
• Gifts and Donations Oversight: Cultivate donor relationships in partnership with Alumni Relations and Development. Oversee the management of gifts received on behalf of the Center and ensure the preparation of donor reports.
• Institutional Reporting: Prepare and present annual financial and impact reports for the Provost's Office, Academic Deans, Alumni Relations and Development, and donors, clearly communicating outcomes and institutional impact.

Stakeholder Engagement and Strategic Advocacy (10%)

• Advance the Center's Mission: Serve as the Senior International Officer (SIO) and spokesperson for the Center, advancing its mission and strategic priorities within the university and the broader community.
• Strategic Communication: Develop and deliver compelling presentations and messaging to engage, inform external stakeholders, partnering with Strategic Communications and Marketing (SCM) as appropriate. Disseminate success stories to SCM, departments, and academic affairs.
• Champion Institutional Internationalization: Promote and advocate the Center's programs and services to students, parents, faculty, staff, and partners. Collaborate with departments and programs such as Cultures and Languages Across the Curriculum, East Asian Studies at Trinity (EAST), International Studies, and The Mexico, the Americas, and Spain (MAS) to strengthen global engagement and learning. Share information on international higher education, education abroad, and mobility trends for strategic planning. Support faculty in internationalizing student learning and global opportunities. Communicate with stakeholders about partnerships, projects, and goals.

Global Risk Management, Crisis Response and Communication (5%)

• Global Risk Management: Monitor and assess global health, safety, and security conditions, including high-risk destinations, in alignment with university risk management policies, in collaboration with the Assistant Director of Study Abroad.
• Crisis Response: Provide leadership for global risk assessment and crisis response in partnership with the Assistant Director of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) when incidents or regulatory changes affect international students, scholars, and employees.
• Communication Oversight: Direct and coordinate center-wide communications related to study abroad, international students and employees, providing timely updates to the Provost's Office and other relevant campus leadership. Collaborate with appropriate offices to assess institutional liability and mitigate global risk.

Professional Development and Engagement (5%)

• Staying Current on Best Practices: Engage with and apply best practices in international education.
• Contributing to the Profession: Participate in professional organizations (Forum on Education Abroad, the Association of International Education Administrators (AIEA), Institute of International Education (IIE), and NAFSA: Association of International Educators to support institutional excellence and strengthen global networks.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

• Cooperates and collaborates with other employees in the spirit of teamwork and collegiality and interacts with confidence, patience, and integrity to provide professional leadership during emergencies.
• Complies with all Trinity University policies and guidelines.
• Performs other duties as required.

EDUCATION

Required:

Master's degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university.

Preferred:

Master's degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university in international relations, international education, or a related field.

EXPERIENCE

Required:

• 7+ years of related experience in international education, global engagement, or a similar leadership role in an academic setting.

• 5+ years of supervisory experience in an academic setting.

• Experience as a Designated School Official (DSO).

• Experience with web-based applications, software and database systems such as SEVIS, Google Drive, Terra Dotta, Via TRM.

• Experience managing international agreements and Memorandums of Understanding.

Preferred:

• Active membership in the Forum on Education Abroad, and/or the Association of International Education Administrators (AIEA), and/or NAFSA: Association of International Educators.
• Experience working with higher education third party providers.
• Experience as a Principal Designated School Official (PDSO).

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge

• Best practices in international education, including study abroad and international student and scholar services.
• U.S. immigration regulations (F-1, J-1), SEVIS compliance, and risk management for global programs.
• Higher education administration, fiscal management, and strategic planning.
• Development of international partnerships, MOUs, and global initiatives.
• Program assessment, KPIs, data-informed decision-making, and emerging technologies.
• Cross-cultural communication and the evolving landscape of higher education.

Skills

• Strategic leadership and vision aligned with institutional goals.
• Effective team management, mentorship, and collaboration across diverse stakeholders.
• Strong financial analysis, policy development, and crisis response capabilities.
• Negotiation, diplomacy, and advocacy for international programs.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Workday, and Terra Dotta.

Abilities

• Think strategically, act decisively, and adapt to change.
• Foster an inclusive, supportive, and high-performing team culture.
• Build and sustain collaborative relationships on and off campus.
• Manage multiple priorities with sound judgment, discretion, and attention to detail.
• Communicate clearly in writing and speech, and maintain confidentiality.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Valid Passport required
• International travel required

HOW TO APPLY

For internal applicants, please apply through Workday using the Jobs Hub application, see instructions provided here.

For external applicants, when starting the application, select "Apply Manually." Only complete fields with a red asterisk, which are required. Please create your Workday application account using a personal email address, as you will need to maintain access to this account throughout the pre-hire process, if selected.

For all applicants, you do not need to complete the "(Work) Experience," "Education," "Certifications," or "Languages" fields - these details will be provided in your curriculum vitae/resume.

In the "Application Documents" field, please upload the following, each as a separate pdf file:

• Cover letter (1-2 pages single-spaced) that addresses the candidate's interest in and qualifications for the position. Include contact information for three professional references.
• Current curriculum vitae or resume.
• 500-800 word reflection on the following prompt: "Intentional Inclusion is a core value at Trinity University. Please provide a brief reflection on the ways that you might contribute in this role to cultivating an environment where people feel welcomed, respected, and empowered to reach their full potential."

CONTACT INFORMATION

For any questions about this position, please contact Academic Affairs, with the following text in the subject line: "Question regarding CIE Director Search"