Program Director, Italy (Rome, Italy)

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Director, Italy Programs

Contract Type : Full Time, Permanent Contract

Location : Rome, Italy

Salary : 60,000 Euro, pa

Reports to : Global Director of Operations

At IFSA, we offer a mission-driven environment where your work has a global impact. As part of our Rome and wider IFSA team, you’ll enjoy:

• Flexible work arrangements and appreciation for work/life balance
• Professional development support and opportunities to collaborate across regions
• A culture rooted in inclusive excellence, intercultural agility, and individualized learning
• The chance to shape transformative educational experiences in one of Europe’s most dynamic cities

Position Overview

Are you a lifelong learner, curious about the world around you? Are you passionate about inclusion and the profound impact of global learning? If so, we would love to welcome you to our global community!

The Director, Italy Programs, is responsible for leading and coordinating all aspects of the Italy program, including planning and delivering high-quality IFSA-designed programming, custom courses, co- and extracurricular activities that support learning and satisfaction outcomes, developing university and local partnerships, and engaging with students and faculty to enhance their experience and wellbeing.

This position works closely with colleagues from our sites in Europe, Australia, and China, as well as teams focused on Health & Safety, Academic Affairs, Institutional Engagement, and Student Engagement to uphold academic and operational excellence and contribute to IFSA’s mission of transformative education.

Responsibilities

Leadership

• Recruit, hire, and train new staff in consultation with the Global Director and HR, ensuring alignment with team goals and organizational values
• Lead, develop, and inspire staff to achieve high performance and engagement
• Cultivate practices reflecting IFSA’s commitments to inclusive excellence, intercultural agility, and individualized learning
• Maintain high standards of academic and operational quality, ensuring consistency and continuous improvement
• Develop best practices and foster a culture of continuous improvement
• Facilitate team meetings to encourage communication, idea sharing, and team building
• Lead crisis management efforts, supporting staff during incidents and ensuring protocol adherence

Operations

• Ensure compliance with all IFSA policies including academic, disciplinary, health & safety, operational, and fiscal policies
• Oversee program data management and reporting accuracy
• Support academic management, including course registration, advising, and learning plan consultations
• Conduct regular student advising and meet with students to assess experiences and resolve issues
• Coordinate planning of excursions, activities, orientations, and events to enhance engagement
• Design intercultural programming to engage students with the local community
• Support development and delivery of custom programs
• Evaluate program operations regularly to meet standards of excellence and satisfaction
• Manage program facilities and accommodations, ensuring safety and quality
• Handle financial reporting, budgeting, and resource allocation
• Contribute to additional projects, including remote work or site support

Partnership Management

• Coordinate with university partners in Italy on enrollment, housing, and student support issues
• Build positive relationships with sending and host universities to support growth
• Prepare for and host site visits from U.S. universities and partners
• Travel to U.S. institutions to promote programs and increase enrollment

Strategic Representation

• Represent IFSA in Italy during site visits, conferences, and meetings
• Promote IFSA’s values and programs externally
• Support initiatives to enhance IFSA’s visibility and reputation
• Develop relationships with local partners for programs and activities

Knowledge, Experience, Skills

• Minimum 5 years of management experience in higher education, tourism, event planning, or hospitality
• Exceptional communication skills, including verbal, interpersonal, and written
• Ability to work with diverse stakeholders and build external relationships
• Strong planning, time management, and digital skills, including Salesforce
• Initiative and ability to improve operational procedures
• Attention to detail and team engagement skills
• Flexibility in changing environments and situations
• Knowledge of the university system and student life in Italy
• Crisis management experience
• Ability to support students with diverse backgrounds and needs
• Financial and business development skills
• Bachelor’s degree required; legal right to work in Italy and residence in Rome necessary

Physical & Work Environment

• Remote work when students are not onsite; based in Rome
• Work involves indoor and outdoor activities, including travel and physical tasks
• Occasional work outside regular hours may be required with flexibility

To Apply

Submit your resume and cover letter via the IFSA Careers page. Highlight your experience in higher education and your administrative skills in your cover letter.

IFSA is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion.

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