Director, Fulbright Foreign Student Program, Western Hemisphere

Director, Fulbright Foreign Student Program, Western Hemisphere

Global Programs Unit

Reports to: Director of Academic Exchanges

Salary Range: Grade 8

Anticipated Start Date: 10/1/2024

Term of Employment: Full-time

Apply by: Until filled

Base of Designation: Washington, DC

Remote Eligible: Remote OR Hybrid - either

Conditional on Funding? Yes

World Learning seeks a Director for the anticipated Fulbright Foreign Student Program for the Western Hemisphere to oversee implementation of this important and complex graduate exchange program. The Fulbright Program promotes mutual understanding and creates lasting connections in a complex and changing world. It is the U.S. Government's flagship international educational exchange and is conducted in partnership with participating governments, host institutions, and other entities that provide both direct and indirect support. Participants are selected for their academic merit and leadership potential through a competitive process. The Director will be World Learning's primary point of contact with the Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), as well as bilateral Fulbright commissions and U.S. embassies in the region. In addition, the Director will develop and maintain relationships and agreements with U.S. higher education institutions that participate in the program. The Director will supervise the Senior Manager to form a management partnership that prioritizes strong customer relations, compliant systems, and lasting impact.

Recruitment is contingent upon successful award of the project.

ABOUT GLOBAL PROGRAMS

This position will be a part of the Global Programs unit of World Learning which designs, implements, monitors, and evaluates global development and exchange programs. We work with various donors, including the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development, to achieve immediate impact and sustainable outcomes. Consistent with our organization's status as both a global nonprofit and an accredited institution of higher education, we prioritize experiential programs that are grounded in theory, proven in practice, and lift up diverse voices.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain overall responsibility for ensuring the successful implementation of the Fulbright Foreign Student Program for the Western Hemisphere, prioritizing effective relationships with key stakeholders, sustained impact, and responsible and compliant program processes.
• As the primary strategic point of contact for ECA, develop strong relationships with the Western Hemisphere Affairs (WHA) Fulbright branch and successfully navigate complex issues with the Bureau.
• Similarly, serve as trusted point person for U.S. Embassies and Fulbright Commissions in WHA, working with each to understand their particular aims for the program and the nuances of funding models and partnerships.
• Develop and sustain partnerships with diverse higher education institutions to provide exceptional support, flexible financing, and high-quality academics to WHA grantees. Responsible for negotiating cost-share agreements with university partners that allow for program sustainability and pathways for continued funding at the conclusion of the Fulbright grant.
• Effectively represent the program to government officials and other partners, actively participating in key Fulbright stakeholder meetings and contributing to high-level discussions of Fulbright policies based on the realities of program implementation. Some domestic and international travel required.
• Engage in business development to support yearly organizational targets for academic exchange programming. This includes responsibility for the design and writing of the annual program renewal proposal.
• Oversee program budget to ensure realism and adequacy based on complexities of this multi-stakeholder program.
• Effectively represent program issues to World Learning internal partners on Finance, Compliance, IT, and Human Resources teams.
• Supervise the Senior Manager who oversees day-to-day program placement and advising operations.

REQUIREMENTS
Required Experience/Education:

• A master's or doctorate degree is required.
• At least ten years of relevant work experience is required.
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the location where this position is offered.

Required Skills:

• In-depth knowledge of management of U.S. Department of State-funded academic exchanges, including participant recruitment, selection, placement, and advising.
• Understanding of larger U.S. and partner country interests in investing in academic exchange.
• Experience establishing, negotiating,