Program Director for International Sponsored Student Programs

The Program Director for International Sponsored Student Programs provides strategic leadership, relationship management, advocacy, and support services for over 40 international sponsors and over 300 sponsored students each year at the University of Minnesota. "Sponsored" students are international students who are recruited, placed, and funded by their home-country governments, U.S. governmental programming organizations through the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the U.S. Department of State (for example, Fulbright), non-profit organizations, or an employer. The University has a direct financial relationship with sponsoring agencies and is also responsible for ensuring that students and sponsors comply with their individual contractual obligations.

This role is responsible for the full lifecycle of the sponsored student experience: from cultivating external sponsor partnerships, facilitating new placements, coordinating with university departments, and ensuring academic and financial compliance. Serving as the primary liaison between sponsoring agencies and University departments, the role ensures that the University of Minnesota meets compliance commitments while remaining a premier destination for global talent and student success.

This position reports to the ISSS Associate Director, works closely with the ISSS Director on strategic planning of the sponsored student program, supervises the Assistant Director for Exchange and Sponsored Students, and collaborates with staff across ISSS to ensure sponsored student-specific needs are met. This position requires a high level of problem-solving, critical thinking, and consultative skills for developing integrative solutions for how technologies, processes, resources, and departments can work together to ensure a successful sponsored student program at the University of Minnesota. The application deadline for this position is Friday, February 20th.

Note: Visa sponsorship, including H-1B, may be considered for qualified candidates whose visa circumstances do not require payment of the $100,000 H-1B fee.

Overview of ISSS
ISSS offers a hybrid work environment with a three-day in-office requirement and two days of virtual work. Flexibility is provided during travel times.

Strategic Planning (20%)
* Develop, implement, and evaluate multi-year strategic plans in consultation with the ISSS Director and Associate Director to enhance the international sponsored student portfolio and to align it with ISSS and University goals.
* Analyze global trends to forecast enrollment, assess the needs of sponsors, and identify opportunities for adapting program offerings and support structures.
* Design and update policies that strengthen the sponsored student program while ensuring the University's strict adherence to federal regulations and individual sponsorship mandates.
* Audit and adapt administrative processes annually to increase efficiency and effectiveness.

Strategic Partnership Development and Management (20%)
* Represent the University as the primary point of contact for sponsoring organizations such as foreign governments, U.S. federal agencies, NGOs, and corporate partners.
* Research and cultivate new partnerships, including traveling to meet with sponsoring organizations to align their missions with University programs.
* Develop and execute communication strategies to inform internal University stakeholders of the benefits, trends, and requirements of the sponsored student population.
* Collaborate with internal stakeholders on the development of hosting proposals, negotiate complex contracts, and implement recruitment plans that highlight the University's robust support infrastructure to prospective sponsoring agencies.
* Participate in sponsoring agency recruitment events, including fairs and conferences.
* Supervise 1 FTE with joint responsibility in the Sponsored Student Programs and the Exchange Student Program.

Program Coordination & Financial Oversight (30%)
* Lead the overall sponsored student workflow; establish clear roles, embed consistent procedures based on policies, coordinate process improvements, and provide specialized guidance as needed to a cross-functional team of ISSS staff.
* Manage the ISSS Sponsored Financial Support funds, including forecasting, disbursement, and ongoing fund monitoring.
* Collaborate with sponsorship placement offices, University offices, and academic departments to recommend allocation of annual financial support funds. Generate final decisions in collaboration with the ISSS Director to ensure compliance and financial stability.
* Lead the Sponsored Student Financial Working Group to streamline billing with the University's Third Party Billing office, Boynton Health insurance coverage, and student account processes.
* Oversee the data management plan (utilizing Sunapsis and other tools) to track academic compliance with sponsoring agencies across undergraduate, graduate, and non-degree levels.
* Serve on committees to represent the Sponsored Student perspective as needed.
* Coordinate sponsored student events, presentations, orientations, and services with the Assistant Director of Exchange and Sponsored Students and the New Student Transition Team.

Campus Liaison & Advocacy (20%)
* Interpret and convey intricate scholarship rules and University policies to students, academic departments, external agencies, and internal ISSS staff.
* Partner with Undergraduate and Graduate Admissions to facilitate the application process and monitor the academic progress of students each semester to ensure sponsorship requirements are met.
* Serve as a subject matter expert for colleges, departments, and ISSS staff regarding the specific nuances of sponsored student support and sponsor compliance, including application, admission, registration, academic advising, and student life requirements, including health insurance and work regulations.
* Monitor the academic progress of sponsored students and coordinate information sharing with the sponsoring organization while maintaining privacy and confidentiality laws.
* Liaise with the ISSS Crisis Team and sponsoring organizations to manage sensitive student emergencies or student conduct issues.

Supervision (10%)
* Supervise the Assistant Director for Exchange and Sponsored Programs
* Provide ongoing feedback and conduct annual performance reviews for staff
* Serve as a resource and a first line of consultation on complex cases
* Guide supervisees' workload, clarify responsibilities, and schedules. Meet regularly to review how the work and special projects are going and what changes/updates need to be made.
* Review and approve professional development requests; pre-approve and approve final professional development reimbursements

Required Qualifications:
* BA/BS degree in higher education, counseling, international education, or related field plus at least six years of relevant experience, or master's degree in higher education, counseling, international education, or related field plus at least four years of relevant experience
* Experience collaborating with departments, governmental and non-governmental agencies, and students to ensure successful placement and retention of sponsored students
* Significant experience with managing complex funding distribution and tracking financial agreements
* Demonstrated experience with strategic thinking and advanced problem-solving in managing complex institutional relationships with sponsoring agencies
* Familiarity with student record systems (e.g., Sunapsis, PeopleSoft) and federal reporting requirements.
* Ability to work effectively with individuals from varied administrative, academic, cultural, religious, national, ethnic, and linguistic backgrounds.
* Strong interpersonal communication skills, both oral and written.
* Ability to assume responsibility and to work with minimum guidance.

Preferred Qualifications:
* High level of knowledge of higher education, policies, and procedures.
* Ability to manage complex financial forecasting and develop multi-year strategic plans.
* Proven skills in supporting sponsored students with concerns and navigating institutional resources
* Experience with collaborating with staff and departments to properly advise sponsored students
* A proven track record of providing sponsored student services that prioritize well-being, academic retention, and sponsoring agency compliance.
* ARO and DSO immigration advising experience

International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) is dedicated to serving the University of Minnesota's international community.

Its primary mission is to assist international students and scholars in successfully accomplishing the goals that brought them to the University. ISSS supports the University's internationalization efforts by helping departments bring new foreign nationals into the community; by providing intercultural training for students, staff, and faculty; and by offering events that build links between the U.S. and international communities on campus. The office helps new international students transition to the University of Minnesota through Global Gopher Experiences, a series of virtual and in-person events, and convenes the International Student Advisory Board to ensure international student voices are represented on campus.

Pay Range: $69,400 - $82,745 annually, depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume. The application deadline for this position is Friday, February 20th.

Note: Visa sponsorship, including H-1B, may be considered for qualified candidates whose visa circumstances do not require payment of the $100,000 H-1B fee.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

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