Director of Study Abroad Programs

About the Role

The Director of Study Abroad Programs is responsible for Maximo Nivel’s international study abroad programs, including Volunteer Abroad, International Internships, TEFL Certification, Native Spanish Program, Adventure & Culture, Gap Year, and more. The Director leads the international programs business and ensures excellent client service and program management. This role works closely with international clients by providing in-country support, project organization, class scheduling, housing, travel, and assistance with any other needs program participants may have. The Director is also closely involved with partner management, including regular communication with both international and local partners.

Primary Responsibilities

• Work to improve and advance Maximo Nivel’s international study abroad programs.
• Increase enrollment in Maximo Nivel’s international programs.
• Deliver excellent client service and promote a “great client service” philosophy within the International Programs Team.
• Lead the identification and development of new volunteer projects and internship placements.
• Lead the sourcing and development of host families and other accommodations for international clients.
• Recommend travel and tourism services, including trekking, tours, and other travel and adventure programs.

The Director is in charge of client and program management, including airport pick-up, orientation and welcome, sales and client service, site visits and problem-solving, coordinating donations and aid, housing support and problem-solving, sending emails, answering phones, updating the CRM system, scheduling volunteers, Spanish classes, and family-stays, and managing travel details such as flights, hotel, arrival, and departure.

There are several reports and administrative tasks the Director is responsible for on a regular basis using Excel, including monthly program registration, weekly arrivals, families and beds, Spanish class schedule, and participant feedback summary. The Director is also involved in collecting payments, invoicing, and proactively liaising and working with the Academic and Accounting teams.

Team Management

The Study Abroad Programs Team consists of the Director and a team of 5-7 people, including 4-6 Field Managers and a Client Service Manager. The Director is responsible for organizing, leading, and motivating the International Programs Team to achieve business results and annual objectives. The Director is part of the in-country Executive Team and reports to the Country Manager.

Field Managers provide overall program management for all of Maximo Nivel’s Volunteer Abroad and International Internship programs. With respect to volunteers, Field Managers work to ensure program participants are busy and productive at their projects and that they are engaged and actively working at their placements.

Client Service Manager is an “inside person” who works to deliver daily client service to all clients and ensure excellent overall program management. The Client Service Manager works closely with international clients, providing in-country sales, client service, housing, travel, and all other ongoing support required.

Development Work

The Director meets with and assesses new and existing volunteer project sites for suitability to host international volunteers and to work with Máximo Nivel. Suitability is determined by assessing the existing organization, existing team, need, ability and willingness to work with international volunteers, and the ability for Maximo Nivel and its volunteers to bring impact to the project. The Director must develop strong, interactive relationships with the Director(s) of every volunteer project. They must work toward creating mutually beneficial relationships, ensuring Maximo Nivel is a good partner and that international volunteers and the project benefit from the relationship. Benefits include improved realization of the project’s mission, improved organization, improved cleanliness, improved attendance, construction, food, supplies, improved support for the project Director and staff, and more.

Family-Stays

The Director meets with and assesses new and existing family-stay homes for their suitability to provide housing and food to Maximo Nivel’s international clients. Suitability is determined by assessing the family’s motivation for housing international clients, cleanliness, hospitality, number of rooms and beds, ability to provide good food and timely meals, and willingness to provide a cultural immersion experience. The Director must work closely with and proactively build relationships with all family-stays. It is the Director’s responsibility to ensure that capacity and scheduling of beds and family-stays is optimized.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree; Master’s degree preferred
• Bilingual English/Spanish required
• At least 5 years of professional experience
• Experience leading and motivating a busy team
• Must be very client-service oriented
• Business-minded and very strong at managing details
• Passion for traveling and helping others
• Excellent computer skills, including Word and Excel

Salary & Schedule

$1,600 - $2,000 per month (USD) + bonus

Health insurance, paid vacation, and work visa assistance are also provided.

The Director works Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM/8:00 AM to 6:00 PM with 1 hour for lunch. Whenever business needs dictate, the Director of Study Abroad Programs should be present. Generally speaking, the Director works every other weekend, normally alternating with one weekend off and the next weekend on. Weekends require only Saturday or Sunday, but not both days, other than at peak times of the year.

Please send your resume/CV in PDF format only. Please apply using the form below.