Associate Director, International Relation & Higher Studies

About the Role

The Associate Director IR & HS will lead our institution's internationalization efforts, driving alignment with our global engagement strategy and achieving international student recruitment targets.

Responsibilities

• Report of Vice Chancellor
• To work with different departments to develop and frame their international agenda.
• Co-create the vision and strategy for Global Engagement alongside the Divisional Leadership Team.
• Utilize market data and analytics to shape our global academic portfolio.
• Forge strategic research-led partnerships in key regional hubs.
• Lead efficient systems and processes within the Global Engagement Division.
• Engage in national and global networks, elevating our profile.
• Build relationships with foreign universities/institutions on behalf of University.
• Support the delivery, logistics, and documentation of academic and non-academic partnership and the related communication and coordination.
• Lead and manage a range of projects to support the development and maintenance of international partnerships.
• Liaise with partner universities in different countries to identify and build opportunities for partnership activities.
• Prepare and manage the confidentiality agreements and gather and analyze preliminary data such as audited account, shareholding and leadership details.
• Organize high-profile incoming and outgoing visits linked to the development and maintenance of international partnerships.
• Supervise the International Relations Office Administration for their duties in relation to international partnerships.
• Interfacing with embassies and consulates of various countries, engage with them on frequent intervals and solicit feedback on behalf of the University.
• Organizing Student abroad and Faculty abroad Programs, invite the expression of interest from students and faculties for the program, select students and faculties for the program and provide visa assistance.
• Ensuring FRRO compliance for our International students, assist them in visa procurement and visa enquiry support.
• Oversee the operation of Student Drop-in centre for international students.
• Monitor and review the performance and value of international partnerships.
• Produce analysis of the university's performance against international benchmarks of potential international partners.
• Providing guidance to the digital team for enhancing organic online presence and executing campaigns in various countries.
• Continuously evaluating and enhancing recruitment approaches to attract a wide range of students.
• Analysing enrolment trends and adjusting strategies to meet changing market demands.
• Contributing to the development of a positive and inclusive campus culture for international students.
• Participating in relevant international conferences, workshops, and events to expand professional networks and knowledge.
• Engaging with alumni and current international students to leverage their experiences for recruitment purposes.
• Collaborating with marketing and communications teams to create compelling promotional materials.
• Managing budgets allocated for recruitment activities and ensuring optimal resource utilization.
• Collaborate with international education exhibitors, representing universities in diverse International Education Expos across various countries.
• Provide updates on international engagements, including preparing background papers and other relevant material.
• Conduct extensive market and competitor research to identify the most suitable regions for business expansion.
• Analyze international projects, programs, and campaigns to identify issues, propose solutions, and find ways to improve the current business model.
• Define KPIs and growth metrics for marketing initiatives in different countries/regions.
• Cooperate with institutions, businesses, organizations, and the media to ensure the success of the current and future international projects.
• Propose and implement cultivation activities, solicitations, and reporting and stewardship plans.
• Stay well-informed about international development constituencies, School and university-wide activities, Penn Alumni, other appropriate units; collaborate, coordinate, counsel as appropriate.
• Oversee strategy for three international boards: Asia, Latin America, and Europe/Middle East/Africa.
• Create collaborative programs pertaining to international students and their issues.
• Outreach to other student organizations, academic colleges, and administrative areas addressing similar issues including, but not limited to, Diversity Development, Intercultural Student Services, the Cultural Resource Centers, University Housing and Dining Services.

Qualifications

• PG/ Ph.D

Required Skills

• 15+ Years of sound experience in International Relations.
• Outstanding analytical, project management, and leadership skills.
• Supervise a team and administrative staff.
• Ability to function with a high degree of independence with an assigned group of prospects yet interact collaboratively with colleagues.
• Entrepreneurial inclination and capacity for success within an intensely goal-oriented and collaborative environment.
• Perform as a senior administrator of the school with the ability to communicate, interact, and facilitate conversations with high-level prospects.
• Fluency in a second language is desirable, but not required.
• Comfort with diversity in all forms, with different cultural values and norms.
• Excellent listening skills and the ability to understand individual, institutional, and cultural nuances.
• Understanding of and appreciation for all constituent elements of a high-functioning development department.
• Strong interest in and commitment to the work.
• Excellent planning, organizational skills; able to manage multiple issues and projects simultaneously.
• The ability to travel extensively is required, both internationally and domestically.
• Familiarity with database and other computer software, preferably Microsoft Office.
• Strong desire to effect change for a global community that reaches beyond physical campuses.
• Deep understanding and application of relationship management principles and best practices across borders.
• In-depth knowledge of internationalization systems, student recruitment, and partnership development.
• Professional qualification/relevant degree with extensive leadership and managerial experience in international policy, strategy, and operations.
• Strong interpersonal skills for motivation, negotiation, influence, and networking at a national and international level.
• Extensive leadership experience in internationalization, particularly in Higher Education, with a broad vision.

Preferred Skills