Executive Director, Office of International Services

Uniglobalcareers; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental coverage

Vision insurance

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Tuition waivers

Job summary

University of Illinois Chicago seeks an Executive Director, Office of International Services, to provide strategic leadership and oversight for all immigration-related services across the university and its regional campuses. You will ensure compliance with federal immigration regulations, advise senior leaders, and manage a team of professionals.

Reporting to the VPGE, you will guide international enrollment, faculty hiring, and scholar programs, while maintaining relationships with DHS, USCIS,

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in Higher Education, International Studies, Public Administration, Law, or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Direct immigration services and compliance for international students, scholars, faculty and visitors.
• Advise senior leadership on immigration policy, risk management and regulatory matters.
• Lead policy development and evaluation of immigration processes and internal controls to minimize risk.
• Serve as senior consultant on immigration issues to administrators and academic leaders.

Skills

Supervisory leadership

Immigration policy

Regulatory compliance

Communication skills

SEVIS administration

Education

Doctoral degree (PhD/EdD/JD)

Tools

DSO designation knowledge

ARO requirements

Job description

United States — International Student Market

1.2M inbound students (2025) +3%

1. India 363K

2. China 266K

3. South Korea 42K

4. Canada 30K

5. Vietnam 26K

9 international branch campuses in United States

Executive Director, Office of International Services

Hiring Department: Office of International Services

Location: Chicago, IL USA

Requisition ID: 1043006

Posting Close Date: November 13, 2026

Salary: The budgeted salary range for the position is $140,000 to $150,000.

About the University of Illinois Chicago

UIC is among the nation's preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. UIC serves over 34,000 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide, including a full complement of health sciences colleges. By emphasizing cutting-edge and transformational research along with a commitment to the success of all students, UIC embodies the dynamic, vibrant and engaged urban university. Recent rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, found UIC climbed up in its rankings among top public schools in the nation and among all national universities. UIC has over 300,000 alumni, and is one of the largest employers in the city of Chicago.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits . This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Vice Provost for Global Engagement (VPGE), the Executive Director, Office of International Services provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for all immigration-related services across the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), including regional campuses and instructional sites. The Executive Director serves as the University's principal authority on immigration regulations affecting international students, scholars, faculty, researchers, and visiting exchange participants.

This position ensures institutional compliance with federal immigration regulations and provides expert guidance to senior university leadership on immigration policy, risk management, and regulatory matters.

Immigration Leadership and Compliance

• Direct all immigration services and compliance functions for international students, scholars, faculty, researchers, and exchange visitors.
• Interpret, implement, and monitor complex federal immigration regulations, policies, and procedures related to F-1, J-1, and other employment-based immigration categories.
• Ensure institutional compliance with regulations administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Department of State (DOS), U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), and other federal agencies.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate immigration policies, procedures, and internal controls to minimize institutional risk and maintain regulatory compliance.
• Serve as the University's senior consultant and subject matter expert on immigration-related matters, advising administrators, academic leaders, human resources professionals, and other stakeholders.
• Monitor changes in federal immigration laws, regulations, and policy guidance and assess institutional impact while recommending appropriate courses of action.

Strategic Advisory Role

• Advise senior university leadership on immigration matters affecting international enrollment, faculty and scholar employment, exchange visitor programs, and institutional compliance.
• Provide policy recommendations regarding international student admissions and enrollment processes, international faculty hiring and retention, scholar programs, and related immigration initiatives.
• Lead institutional responses to immigration policy changes, audits, investigations, and compliance reviews.

Government and External Relations

• Serve as the primary university contact with federal agencies, including DHS, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), DOS, and DOL.
• Collaborates with University Counsel with regard to representing the university in communications concerning immigration regulations, compliance matters, audits, and problem resolution.
• Maintain productive relationships with governmental agencies and professional organizations to support effective immigration services and regulatory compliance.

Office Leadership and Administration

• Provide leadership and oversight for the Office of International Services (OIS), including strategic planning, operational management, and resource allocation.
• Establish priorities and performance standards for immigration services operations.
• Direct the development, implementation, and assessment of programs supporting international student and scholar orientation, transition, retention, and cultural adaptation.
• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate professional staff responsible for immigration advising, case management, and compliance functions.
• Ensure staff maintain current knowledge of immigration regulations, procedures, and best practices.

Institutional Service

• Serve on university and system-wide committees addressing immigration, compliance, international education, and risk management issues.
• Lead special projects and initiatives related to immigration services and international student and scholar support.

Minimum Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in Higher Education, International Studies, Public Administration, Law, or a related field (PhD or EdD or JD).
• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in international student and scholar services, immigration administration, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated supervisory and leadership experience within an international services or immigration-focused office.
• Comprehensive knowledge of U.S. immigration laws, regulations, and procedures affecting international students, scholars, faculty, and exchange visitors.
• Eligibility to meet DHS requirements for designation as a Designated School Official (DSO) and U.S. Department of State requirements for designation as an Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO).
• Demonstrated expertise in SEVIS administration and federal regulatory compliance.
• Strong analytical, policy interpretation, and risk management skills.
• Exceptional communication and relationship management skills with diverse constituencies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced expertise in higher education immigration compliance and international student and scholar services.
• Experience advising senior leadership on complex immigration and regulatory matters.
• Proven track record managing compliance programs, government audits, and regulatory reviews.
• Significant experience serving as a Designated School Official (DSO) and/or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO).

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.