Center Director | IES Abroad Beijing

This position includes regular domestic and international travel and may be required to work beyond office hours and occasional evenings and weekends, as required by seasonal business needs and position requirements.

The IES Abroad Beijing Center Director is responsible for strategy, management and operations at the IES Abroad Beijing Center. The Center Director supervises the Center’s academic programs, serves as the main point of contact with the Center’s partner institution in Beijing, and cultivates a broad range of contacts in Beijing and China for the benefit of the Center and IES Abroad. The Center Director is the main point of contact for the Center with IES Abroad headquarters in Chicago, and reports to the Program Dean for China. The Center Director supervises all staff and faculty members in Beijing and is responsible for the health and safety conditions of IES Abroad students. The Center Director will lead the hiring process (in coordination with the Program Dean) to fill any approved vacancies. The Center Director will represent IES Abroad Beijing at various IES Abroad meetings, during visits to colleges and universities in the United States to speak with study abroad coordinators and to recruit students, and at other national and international meetings, as determined with the Program Dean. The Center Director will oversee other projects that involve the cultivation of a broad range of contacts in China. The IES Abroad Beijing Center Director communicates and collaborates closely with the Center Directors in Shanghai and Kunming, China, on intra-Center projects and opportunities.

Overview

Location: Beijing
Industry: Education
Employer: IES Abroad

Job Description

Center Director, IES Abroad Beijing Center
Location:	Beijing, China
Employment Type:	Full Time
Department:	Global/Center
Description:	This position includes regular domestic and international travel and may be required to work beyond office hours and occasional evenings and weekends, as required by seasonal business needs and position requirements. The IES Abroad Beijing Center Director is responsible for strategy, management and operations at the IES Abroad Beijing Center. The Center Director supervises the Center’s academic programs, serves as the main point of contact with the Center’s partner institution in Beijing, and cultivates a broad range of contacts in Beijing and China for the benefit of the Center and IES Abroad. The Center Director is the main point of contact for the Center with IES Abroad headquarters in Chicago, and reports to the Program Dean for China. The Center Director supervises all staff and faculty members in Beijing and is responsible for the health and safety conditions of IES Abroad students. The Center Director will lead the hiring process (in coordination with the Program Dean) to fill any approved vacancies. The Center Director will represent IES Abroad Beijing at various IES Abroad meetings, during visits to colleges and universities in the United States to speak with study abroad coordinators and to recruit students, and at other national and international meetings, as determined with the Program Dean. The Center Director will oversee other projects that involve the cultivation of a broad range of contacts in China. The IES Abroad Beijing Center Director communicates and collaborates closely with the Center Directors in Shanghai and Kunming, China, on intra-Center projects and opportunities. The IES Beijing Center Director position combines strong academic credentials in a recognized academic discipline with demonstrated experience in academic administration and management. The Director should be familiar with the nature, organization, and customs of higher education in both the United States and China, should have experience working in the field of higher education in both countries, and should demonstrate experience and skill at collaborating with Chinese and U.S. institutions. The Director should have a strong commitment to academic rigor, to educating people in an international environment, and to promoting intercultural competence. Native or near-native fluency in English and Mandarin Chinese, both written and spoken, is required.
Duties:	Program Management • In close collaboration with the Program Dean, set measurable program goals for the year and evaluate progress towards their achievement • In close collaboration with the Program Dean, recommend enhancements or revisions to existing academic offerings at the Center and develop new offerings as needed. Implement any such changes during the year as approved and directed by the Program Dean. • Develop and manage the Center’s annual budget and review expenditures with IES Abroad Chicago on a monthly basis, and revise the budget on a schedule as set by IES Abroad Chicago • In close coordination with the Center administrative staff, oversee the financial and administrative management of the Center on a daily basis • Maintain on-going evaluation of the Center and make suggestions for improvement • Develop annual Center goals and objectives tied to the IES Abroad organizational goals (with all staff), and prepare an annual report on progress towards the same • Human Resources responsibilities for the Center including, without limitation, performance management, conducting annual performance reviews and setting individual goals that support the employee’s own development as well as supporting Center goals, providing coaching and guidance, dealing with disciplinary matters and grievances, recruitment and selection, implementing approved employment decisions, issuing and collecting HR documentation, providing employee information to Chicago and any other HR related responsibilities in conjunction with the AVP of Human Resources, the Human Resources team and IES Abroad policy. • Good working knowledge of Chinese labor guidelines and law • Hold regular staff meetings and coordinate all aspects of the general management of staff operations • In coordination with Customized Programs staff in Chicago, plan, develop and administer potential customized programs • Supervise the Associate Director • Set regular office hours and be available to consult with students, faculty, and staff • Foster an atmosphere of teamwork, mutual support, and enthusiasm among the IES Abroad Beijing staff Academic Management In close coordination with the Program Dean: • Provide ongoing implementation of IES Abroad quality standards as defined by the IES Abroad MAP© and IES Abroad Map for Language & Intercultural Communication© • Supervise the development of new IES Abroad courses and the implementation of Curriculum Committee guidelines and recommendations and coordinate all courses as necessary • Oversee the recruitment, selection, training, and evaluation of IES Abroad faculty to promote academic excellence and clear understanding of U.S. undergraduate expectations • Prepare and maintain annual faculty contracts and other documentation • Develop and supervise faculty training workshops and the continued development of innovative teaching at the Center • Hold regular faculty meetings and coordinate all aspects of the general management of faculty operations (with the assistance of the Associate Director as assigned) • Oversee staff responsible for the registration of students in IES Abroad courses and internships, course withdrawal, add/drop, and course transcripts • Promote the effective use of educational technology in all IES Abroad courses and the use of Moodle for both academic and extra-curricular applications • Continue to develop the IES Abroad library and improve student access to research facilities • Maintain a high level of academic integrity at the Center by overseeing the implementation of IES Abroad academic policy, coordinating registration, accurate grade reporting, reviewing grade appeals, conducting and analyzing course evaluations, and assisting students with special academic needs or concerns • Strongly enforce the use of Chinese language by IES Abroad students according to the onsite language pledge • Promote faculty development opportunities • Teach courses as necessary, in consultation with Program Dean • Review and approve independent study proposals, recruit and supervise appropriate faculty, supervise independent study projects when appropriate • Maintain close working relationship with the University language department and all teaching faculty Communication • Meet regularly via phone or Skype with the Program Dean to assess and improve center related issues and discuss Center operations • Participate via phone or Skype in meetings with Superuser colleagues as needed or requested • Provide IES Chicago with information about the Center and its development on a regular basis including, but not limited to, financial reports, promotional materials, cultural information, new trends in the field of study abroad, etc. • Collaborate with other IES Abroad staff in Chicago, fellow IES Abroad Center Directors and other stakeholders on projects such as workshops, training seminars, intercultural projects, annual conference and Center Directors meeting, and other strategic initiatives defined in collaboration with the Program Dean and the Academics Department in Chicago Outreach, Public Relations, and Marketing • Develop and maintain strong partnerships with local Chinese host university and organizations • Represent IES Abroad before local and regional Chinese authorities and in the local community, and encourage ways to develop mutual benefits • Maintain excellent working relationships with partner Universities in the U.S. • Develop avenues for collaboration between IES Abroad and the local community • Represent IES Abroad through recruiting visits to partner universities in the U.S. and through annual participation in the IES Abroad Annual Conference and Center Directors’ meeting • Organize and implement site visits from coordinators or faculty from U.S. universities, familiarization trips, faculty development seminars, etc. • Participate in legal entity meetings or webinars as necessary • Collaborate with IES Abroad Chicago staff and the Program Dean to update in a timely way general marketing materials, website, intranet, and all pre-departure materials Student Life In close collaboration with the student affairs staff in Beijing: • Supervise and participate in the onsite orientation of students to Beijing, the IES Abroad Center, and local partner institution • Oversee the creation of student activities and fieldtrips and volunteer and community service activities, ensuring the intercultural effectiveness and relevancy to the IES Abroad and Center mission and academic goals • Locate, develop, and arrange opportunities for academically-related internships for students • Promote strong IES-university student relationships, involvement in university clubs, and an active roommate/ host family program • Continually promote opportunities for intercultural development • Develop, budget, and occasionally participate in student activities and field trips • Oversee the housing staff and ensure the quality of housing options on offer at the Center, to assess and improve housing options, and to deal with problem areas • Oversee student services and assist student services staff in dealing with problem areas • Enforce IES Abroad discipline policies where necessary Emergency Response and Crisis Management • Design, review/revise and implement local crisis management plans in accordance with IES Abroad policy. • Conduct emergency drills each term in collaboration with IES Crisis Management Team • Be available on-call 24 hours in the event of an emergency • Respond rapidly to student crises by accessing local resources and co-coordinating with the IES Abroad Crisis Management Team, Dean of Students, Program Dean, and others where appropriate • Proactively notify IES Abroad Crisis Management Team, Dean of Students office, and Program Dean of local emergencies or areas of concern that may affect the safety of IES Abroad students, staff, and faculty Other Responsibilities • In cooperation with the Director of Global Real Estate, monitor the lease for the Center space and housing and be prepared to assist with negotiations and/or the search for a new Center space if needed • Stay informed on details of the IES Abroad China legal entity and liaise with IES Abroad Chicago staff and local Chinese authorities as needed
Qualifications:	The Center Director will have demonstrated experience in administration and management with strong academic credentials in a recognized academic discipline. The Director must be familiar and experienced working with the nature, organization, and customs of higher education in both the United States and China, and demonstrate skill at collaborating with Chinese and U.S. institutions. The Center Director must have a strong commitment to academic rigor, to educating students in an international environment, and to fostering students’ intercultural development. Requirements • Graduate degree in a relevant academic discipline (humanities or social sciences) required; doctoral degree strongly preferred • 5 – 10 years of progressively responsible managerial experience • Previous experience living and working in China is required; Beijing preferred • Relevant management experience in a study abroad program and prior contact with U.S. university students greatly preferred • Teaching experience at the university level in a subject related to China greatly preferred • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills • Familiarity with the nature, organization, and customs of higher education in China and the U.S. • Ability to work well with students from U.S. colleges and universities • Near-native fluency in both written and spoken Mandarin Chinese and English required • Excellent administrative, organizational, and problem solving abilities • Excellent team building skills • Experience in the development and management of complex budgets; not-for-profit budget management experience desirable • Strong commitment to international education, intercultural issues, and a strong interest in student affairs preferred • Interest in the academic and intercultural growth of university students • Student centered philosophy and sensitivity to issues of diversity • Must be able to lawfully accept employment in China at the time an offer of employment is extended • Ability to travel to other regions of China and to the U.S. on occasion • Background check required

Interested Applicants can apply via the IES Human Resources Website.

https://iesabroad.iapplicants.com/application.php?job_id=592423&app_id=2253

How to Apply

Interested Applicants can apply via the IES Human Resources Website. (see full listing for details)