Director, Global Education Office

NAFSA: Association of International Educators; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 73,000 - 146,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke University’s Office of Undergraduate Education seeks a visionary Director of Global Education to lead the Duke Global Education Office. You will shape global learning, intercultural learning, and experiential education for undergraduates in collaboration with faculty, students, and international partners.

The role requires strategic, operational, financial leadership for study-away programs, expanding partnerships, ensuring compliance, risk management, and advancing access and belonging

Qualifications

• Earned doctorate (Ph.D. or Ed.D.) in global education or related field.
• Minimum five years of progressively responsible international education leadership.
• Experience leading study-away programs and managing partnerships.
• Experience with contracts, risk, and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead GEO strategy and operations for global education programs.
• Oversee financial performance, budgeting, and revenue growth for study-away initiatives.
• Collaborate with faculty, students, and partners to expand global education opportunities.

Skills

Leadership experience

Strategic planning

Partnership development

Risk management

Communication

Education

Ph.D. or Ed.D. in related field

Tools

Job description

Director, Global Education Office

Employer: Duke University

Location: Durham, North Carolina

Salary: Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $72,847.00 to USD $145,696.00.

Closing date: Sep 30, 2026

Specialty: Global Education

Position Type: Director

Hours: Full-time

Employment Type: Permanent

Organization Type: College / University

The Office of Undergraduate Education (OUE) at Duke University is seeking an experienced and visionary Director of Global Education to lead the Duke Global Education Office (GEO). In this leadership role, you will play an integral part in shaping the future of global learning opportunities for undergraduate students while advancing Duke's commitment to experiential education, intercultural learning, and academic excellence.

As Director, you will provide strategic, operational, financial, and organizational leadership for Duke's portfolio of global and domestic study-away programs. You will work closely with university leaders, faculty, students, and international partners to develop innovative educational experiences that prepare students to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world. This role offers the opportunity to influence institutional strategy, support global partnerships, strengthen student access and belonging, and ensure the continued success of one of Duke's most impactful educational programs.

You will join a collaborative and mission-driven team dedicated to providing transformational educational experiences that broaden perspectives, foster cultural understanding, and support student success both inside and outside the classroom.

Minimum Requirements

• Earned doctorate (Ph.D. or Ed.D.) with demonstrated relevance to global education, international education, higher education administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible leadership experience in international education.
• Experience leading international education programs with responsibility for personnel management, operational oversight, risk mitigation, and financial stewardship.
• Demonstrated experience developing, expanding, and sustaining successful study-away or international education programs.
• Experience negotiating partnerships, contracts, and agreements with domestic and international institutions.
• Experience navigating legal, compliance, risk management, and safety considerations associated with international programming.
• Proven ability to lead complex teams and organizational change initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications

• Eight+ years in the field of international education.
• Extensive knowledge of undergraduate global education and study-away program administration.
• Experience expanding global education opportunities in emerging or underrepresented regions.
• Demonstrated success managing complex budgets, growing revenue streams and program financial performance.
• Experience collaborating with faculty, academic leadership, student affairs professionals, legal counsel, and risk management partners.
• Experience with university developed offshore entities.
• Working knowledge of data analytics, assessment methodologies, CRM systems, advising technologies, and AI-enabled tools.
• Active involvement in professional organizations such as NAFSA: Association of International Educators, The Forum on Education Abroad, or similar organizations.
• Record of professional presentations, publications, or contributions to the field of international education.

Other Requirements

• Ability to respond to time-sensitive international incidents and emergency situations.
• Commitment to fostering inclusive, accessible, and culturally responsive learning environments.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed.
• Ability to work effectively across a complex and decentralized university environment.

Lead Strategic Vision and Innovation

• Implement the strategic vision for Duke Global Education in partnership with senior university leadership and the Global Education Advisory Committee.
• Identify and launch innovative global and domestic study-away programs, partnership models, and experiential learning opportunities that align with university priorities and evolving student interests.
• Monitor international education trends and emerging opportunities to ensure Duke remains a leader in global learning.
• Foster a culture of innovation, responsiveness, and continuous improvement that enhances student, faculty, and partner experiences.

Direct Global Operations, Risk Management, and Compliance

• Provide executive oversight of GEO's compliance with U.S. regulations, international laws, Duke policies, host-country requirements, and accreditation expectations.
• Lead risk assessment, emergency preparedness, and crisis response efforts across the global education portfolio in collaboration with Duke's Office of Global Health and Safety.
• Serve as the primary liaison with legal counsel on contracts, institutional agreements, and partnership negotiations.
• Advise university leadership regarding significant legal, financial, operational, and reputational risks.

Oversee Financial Performance and Organizational Effectiveness

• Lead and develop a high-performing, geographically distributed team responsible for advising, program administration, marketing, faculty support, and student services.
• Establish operational priorities, staffing strategies, and workforce plans that support organizational effectiveness and long-term growth.
• Manage GEO's overall financial performance, including budget development, revenue forecasting, enrollment targets, pricing models, and profitability analysis.
• Develop strategies that increase revenue diversification and growth while maintaining affordability and access for students.

Strengthen Academic Programs and Student Success

• Oversee the full lifecycle of study-away programs, including program design, launch, evaluation, enhancement, and retirement.
• Ensure programs align with curricular goals, student learning outcomes, and institutional objectives.
• Direct credit-transfer activities, course approvals, registration processes, and international grade conversion practices.
• Advance student belonging, accessibility, intercultural learning, and educational outcomes through program design and advising services.

Build Partnerships and Advance Duke's Global Presence

• Recruit, support, and engage faculty leaders while reducing administrative barriers associated with program leadership.
• Cultivate collaborations across schools, academic departments, administrative units, and external partners.
• Represent Duke University at national and international conferences, professional organizations, and partnership meetings.
• Enhance Duke's reputation as a leader in global education through professional engagement, thought leadership, and strategic partnerships.

The Office of Undergraduate Education serves as a central partner in creating transformative learning experiences that help Duke students thrive academically, professionally, and personally. Through global education, experiential learning, academic support programs, and innovative initiatives, OUE plays a vital role in preparing students to engage thoughtfully with the world around them.

As Director of Global Education, you will have the opportunity to shape the future of international learning at one of the world's leading research universities. You'll work alongside talented faculty, dedicated staff, and ambitious students while fostering meaningful educational experiences across the globe. Your leadership will directly influence student success, institutional partnerships, and Duke's continued commitment to global engagement, innovation, and academic excellence.

Duke is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where people from all backgrounds can contribute, grow, and succeed. We encourage candidates who can help advance cultural competence, accessibility, and belonging within our global education programs and across the university community.

Job Code: 00002672 DIRECTOR, GLOBAL EDUCATION

Job Level: 16

Anticipated Pay Range

Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $72,847.00 to USD $145,696.00. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/

Equal Opportunity Employer

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy- related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and reasonable accommodation(s) can be requested with Duke Access and Accommodations Services (email: [e-mail]; phone: [phone]).