Assistant Director

Emory University; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Emory University seeks two Assistant Directors to join International Student & Scholar Services. The roles provide leadership for immigration compliance, staff development, and service delivery to Emory's international community.

They will act as Designated School Official (P/DSO) and Alternate Responsible Officer (A/RO), guiding staff, advising academic units on sponsorship and hiring of foreign nationals, and ensuring adherence to federal regulations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with four years of directly related leadership experience.
• Master's degree preferred.
• Must be able to serve as an expert Designated School Official (P/DSO) and Alternate Responsible Officer (A/RO).
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and communicate complex federal/state regulations clearly.
• Experience with Sunapsis and PeopleSoft desired.

Responsibilities

• Oversee complex immigration cases and align with senior leadership on policies and operations.
• Lead onboarding and training of ISSS advisors and staff.
• Develop and deliver comprehensive training on immigration, compliance, and customer service.
• Provide mentoring and performance support to advisors; may supervise staff.
• Represent Emory in petitions and communications with DHS, DOS, and other agencies.

Skills

Leadership

Policy development

Staff training

Immigration compliance

Project management

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Sunapsis

PeopleSoft

Job description

Emory University is committed to providing excellent support and services to our international students and scholars. We are seeking two Assistant Directors to join International Student & Scholar Services and play an important role in supporting Emory’s global community.

Provides leadership support for International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS), contributing to departmental planning and execution, immigration compliance oversight, staff development, and the delivery of services to Emory's international students, scholars, faculty, and employees. Serves as a senior resource for employment-based immigration matters, providing leadership and subject matter expertise on H-1B, E-3, O-1, TN, Waiver, and permanent residence processes.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Oversees complex cases and collaborates with senior leadership to develop and implement policies, procedures, and operational practices that ensure regulatory compliance, operational effectiveness, and high-quality service.

• Frequently monitors changes in immigration rules and proactively recommends strategic institutional responses, policy updates, and process improvements to support compliance and service excellence.
• Leads the onboarding and training of new ISSS advisors and staff.
• Collaborates with office leadership to design, develop, and deliver comprehensive immigration, compliance, and customer service training programs that promote consistency, expertise, and regulatory compliance across the office.
• Provides ongoing mentoring, coaching, and performance support to advisors.
• May supervise professional and/or student staff.

Serves as a key institutional advisor to international students, scholars, faculty, administrators, Human Resources professionals, and program or school leadership regarding immigration regulations, employment authorization, institutional policies, and related matters.

• Advises academic and administrative units on the recruitment, hiring, sponsorship, hosting, and retention of foreign nationals in F-1, J-1, H-1B, E-3, O-1, TN, and permanent residence categories.
• Serves as a Designated School Official (P/DSO) and Alternate Responsible Officer (A/RO), exercising delegated authority to administer federal immigration programs and ensure institutional compliance with Department of Homeland Security and Department of State regulations.
• May lead the annual J-1 Scholar Program assessment process, identify opportunities for program enhancement, and oversee the preparation and submission of the J-1 Annual Report.

Represents Emory University in petitions, applications, and communications with federal, state, and local agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Labor, Department of State, Georgia Department of Driver Services, and Social Security Administration.

• Serves as an institutional liaison on immigration-related matters and compliance issues.
• Analyzes operational, regulatory, and service-related data to identify trends, assess program effectiveness, and support data-informed decision-making.
• Leads and implements business process improvements that promote operational efficiency, customer service excellence, institutional compliance, and effective use of technology.

Develops, implements, and assesses services, programs, workshops, and outreach initiatives for international students, scholars, employees, and hiring or hosting departments.

• Collaborates with campus partners to enhance support services and improve the overall experience of Emory's international community.
• Leads planning and execution of major programs and events, including orientation and pre-arrival initiatives.
• Participates in departmental planning, assessment, and strategic initiatives that advance ISSS goals and support Emory's internationalization efforts.
• Performs related responsibilities as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• A bachelor's degree in a related field and four years of directly related experience, preferably in a leadership role.
• A master's degree is preferred.
• Must be able to serve as an expert Designated School Official (P/DSO) and Alternate Responsible Officer (A/RO) and meet government eligibility requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to learn and understand ever-changing complex federal, state, and local regulations and effectively communicate to others in a timely manner.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Experience using the Sunapsis international office module and PeopleSoft preferred.
• Proficiency and experience in handling employment-based petitions such as H-1B, E-3 and permanent residency and experience living, studying, or working in a country different from one's own desirable.

NOTE: Position tasks are generally required to be performed in-person at an Emory University location. Remote work from home day options may be granted at department discretion. Emory reserves the right to change remote work status with notice to employee.