Director School of Japanese, Language Schools

Middlebury College; Bread Loaf (VT); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits package

Generous retirement matching

Time-away program (up to 34 days/year)

Educational assistance

Job summary

Middlebury College invites applications for the Director of the School of Japanese in the Language Schools. This part-time, salaried position leads a rigorous eight-week summer immersion program and supports graduate study paths, with the Language Pledge guiding language use on campus.

The Director will oversee curriculum, hire faculty and staff, manage admissions and promotion, and ensure a high-quality immersive experience.

Job description

Director School of Japanese, Language Schools

Description

Founded in 1915, the Middlebury Language Schools are known for theLanguage Pledge®, a commitment by students to communicate only inthe language they are studying for the entire program. With thesupport of outstanding international faculty and a 24/7 immersionenvironment, students who keep the Pledge make remarkable gains inboth linguistic and cultural proficiency.

The School of Japanese, established in 1970, offers an intensiveeight-week summer immersion program as well as graduate studyleading to the Master of Arts in Japanese Language and Culture andthe Doctor of Modern Languages.

The Director provides academic and administrative leadership for aMiddlebury Language School of Japanese, ensuring a rigorous,immersive summer program that upholds the Language Pledge, themission of the Language Schools and of Middlebury College.

This is a part time, non-benefits eligible, salariedposition.

Applications received by December 4, 2026 will be reviewed first by the committee; those received afterward will be considered only if the position has not yet been filled.

Core Responsibilities

The Director spends the summer in residence on the MiddleburyCollege campus, overseeing the instructional and co-curricularprogram, and may teach one course. During the academic year,working remotely, the Director plans the curriculum, hires facultyand summer staff, evaluates and publicizes the program, assistswith student recruitment, and oversees the admissionsprocess.

The Director's performance is evaluated annually in consultationwith the Dean of Language Schools. Each fall, the Director submitsan Annual Report summarizing the School's performance for thesummer, goals for the coming year, and vision for the School.Evaluation criteria include:

• Effective operation of the summer program
• Quality of instruction
• Fiscal responsibility
• Curricular development and innovation
• Student recruitment
• Student satisfaction
• Effective representation of Middlebury
• Contribution to the goals of the Language Schools

Initial appointment is for three years, renewable thereafter subject to satisfactory performance and mutual agreement.

Requirements

• 1. Senior faculty rank, with tenure or tenurable credentials at an established institution
• 2. Native or near-native proficiency in Japanese and strong Englishcommunication skills
• 3. Experience with second-language pedagogy, including the use ofinstructional technology
• 4. Advanced research and teaching experience in a language,humanities, or social science field related to the culture orcultures of the School
• 5. Substantial language teaching experience at the postsecondarylevel
• 6. Experience directing or coordinating a language program or areastudies department
• 7. Demonstrated administrative skills, including budget managementand hiring and supervising faculty and staff
• 8. Strong interpersonal and leadership skills; ability to foster aninclusive immersion community
• 9. Commitment to the Language Pledge and willingness to reside oncampus for the summer session

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:

Work is performed in an office environment and requires the ability to operate standard office equipment and keyboards.

Other:

An offer for this position is contingent upon successful completionof a criminal background check and references.

Benefits

As an employee of Middlebury College in Vermont, you will enjoybeing part of a vibrant supportive community.

Middlebury offers its employees excellent compensation andcompetitive health, dental, life, disability, generous retirementmatching, and vision benefits, and a generous time-away program -up to 34 days per year, increasing as the term of servicelengthens. Employees are eligible for robust educational assistanceprograms. The result is a very high quality-of-life in a gorgeoussetting. Middlebury College offers its employees excellentcompensation and other perks of employment including:

• MiddCard Privileges: access to athletic facilities, discountsat the college store, library privileges, and cultural and sportingevents. Spouses or domestic partners are eligible to receive a cardwith the same privileges.
• Discounts on season passes at Middlebury College's Snow Bowl,the Ralph Myhre Golf Course and the Rikert Outdoor Center.
• Access to our Partner Inclusion Program that provides comprehensive supportservices to the spouses and partners of Middlebury employees.
• A full listing of our benefit offerings can be found on ourwebsite or click to seesome of the other fun perks of working in Middlebury, VT!

Middlebury College is an equal-opportunity employer wherediversity, equity, and inclusion are core values. To this end, the College recruits talented and diverse faculty, staff, and students from across the United States and around the world. Middlebury College encourages applications from women, people of color, people with disabilities, and members of other protected classes and historically underrepresented communities. The College also invites applications from individuals who demonstrate an ongoing commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.