Specialist - Curriculum Dev-Fixed Term (Associate Director)

Michigan State University; East Lansing (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Michigan State University seeks an Associate Director for the Center for Global Learning and Innovation. The role leads the unit, oversees staff and operations, and ensures alignment with university priorities and ethics initiatives.

The position oversees finances, program development, and campus partnerships, with a hybrid work arrangement and a focus on student and faculty support across international learning initiatives.

Qualifications

• Master's degree and 8 years of progressive responsibility in education abroad context.
• Experience with budgets, contracts and agreements, and program development.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills; attention to detail and professional demeanor.
• Familiarity with intercultural learning and COIL is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead unit leadership and operations, including policy setting and staff oversight.
• Coordinate Education Abroad Working Group and cross‑functional collaborations.
• Oversee budgets, forecasting, and annual projections for program portfolios.
• Serve as liaison to campus committees and external partners; advance strategic initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Time management

Policy development

Supervision

Project management

Budgeting

Teaching experience

Education

Master's degree in related field

Doctorate preferred

Tools

Enrollment management software

Education abroad program management

Job description

Center For Global Learning Innovation 10054633

Faculty/Academic Staff

Area of Interest: Administrative/Business/Professional

Area of Interest: Advising/Counseling

Area of Interest: Education/Training

Opening on: Aug 31 2026

Closing at: Sep 14 2026 - 23:55 EDT

Salary Commensurate with Experience

International Studies And Programs

Working/Functional Title

Associate Director

Position Summary

The Associate Director, Center for Global Learning and Innovation (“the Associate Director”) fulfills a key leadership role for the unit, functioning as the back-up for the Assistant Dean for Global Learning and Innovation and Executive Director of Education Abroad (“the Assistant Dean”) attending ISP and University meetings in the absence of the Assistant Dean, such as ISP Directors meetings, Campus Student Success Group meetings, and International Enrollment Management meetings, and representing the Center as the standing member of certain committees relating to global learning, undergraduate education, and student success initiatives. In the absence of the Assistant Dean, and/or as directed, the Associate Director assumes oversight of the Center for Global Learning and Innovation staff and operations.

The Associate Director oversees the operational aspects of the office, including logistics, communications, systems, as well as policies and procedures related to the health, safety, security and conduct of program participants. The Associate Director takes the lead on handling matters of policy that exist/develop in the overlapping space of programs and finances and communicates policies to colleges, including those related to faculty/program director expectations, finances, and student participation in programs. The Associate Director coordinates and leads meetings of and serves as the primary liaison to the Education Abroad Working Group. This position also functions as the unit representative to the MSU Ethics Initiative, promoting ethical and responsible decision-making and provision of services throughout the Center’s programs and activities.

Hybrid work statement: The department is currently operating under a hybrid modality structure, with staff working three days in person and two days remotely. This structure is subject to change at any time.

Core Duties & Responsibilities

Unit Leadership, Management and Operations (60%)

• Serve as a member of the Assistant Dean’s core leadership group
• Serve as the designated Center back-up for the Assistant Dean, attending ISP and University meetings and engaging in projects in the absence of, and/or as directed by, the Assistant Dean
• Assume general oversight of the unit in the absence of the Assistant Dean
• Represent the Center as a standing member of certain committees and occasional member of timely task forces or working groups
• Supervise the Senior Assistant Director for Global Learning Programs, Global Teaching & Learning Specialist, Senior Innovation Officer and additional staff as needed, in alignment with the evolving structure of the Center
• Maintain a connection to the Business Office for certain overarching projects on an ongoing basis (e.g. annual college allocations, operations budget, annual projections, and annual true-up) and at the request of the Assistant Dean for specific projects as needed
• Manage daily operational strategy and ensure the implementation of strategic initiatives and priorities
• Set and communicate policies and procedures regarding all operational aspects of the office, including standard messaging, office time expectations, and daily activities
• Lead and develop process improvement initiatives to include convening and directing process mapping teams to address and improve processes and procedures and to ensure that the office is following best practice in the field
• Manage, with the Office Manager, a team of Work/Study students
• Provide continuous review and improvement of processes for efficiency and accuracy and collaborate with the Assistant Dean and Senior Assistant Director on strategic planning and initiatives
• Ensure unit compliance with University policies and reporting requirements such as annual submission of business continuity plans, staff attendance, HR performance excellence expectations (e.g., annual reviews, mid-year check-ins), oversight of new hire onboarding processes, etc.
• Analyze consistent and timely internal reporting needs, continually refining and communicating expectations to staff; work with supervisors to ensure staff compliance with internal reporting (e.g., marketing and communications report, student participation reports, ASP comprehensive report, TLS activities report, global youth initiatives report).
• Provide leadership in ensuring smooth communication flow of leadership decisions to internal and external constituents and cross-functional workflow within the unit
• Assist the Assistant Dean in the continuous review of utilization of technology and the development of the team as professional global educators

Program and Portfolio Development & Maintenance (15%)

• Work closely with the Business Office and Senior Assistant Director on policies and procedures related to the financial and operational wellbeing of the program portfolio
• Work with the Assistant Dean and Senior Assistant Director on the diversification of program types in the overall program portfolio
• Develop policies, protocols, and opportunities to support the financial and academic success of specific student populations
• Oversee the development and implementation of an effective promotion and outreach strategy for education abroad, with particular emphasis on targeting traditionally underrepresented populations

Support for Faculty/Academic Staff and Campus Connections (25%)

• Coordinate and lead meetings of and serve as the primary liaison to the Education Abroad Working Group; convene timely topic‑specific subgroups of the Education Abroad Working Group as needed
• Serve as an Ex Officio (non‑voting) member of the Risk and Security Assessment Committee (RSAC)
• Serve as a high‑level operational liaison to Central IT and the ISP Web Developer, with the Systems Manager functioning as the daily work liaison
• Function in a consultative capacity to faculty on techniques for assessing global learning
• Assist the Assistant Dean with the introduction of education abroad and global learning opportunities to new faculty/academic staff through annual tabling during orientation and information sessions and meetings throughout the year
• Assist the Assistant Dean with campus‑level advocacy for global learning, which may require benchmarking research, data collection and analyses, campus presentations, serving on campus‑wide committees, attending strategic meetings, and serving as the unit liaison to key campus stakeholders
• Support the development of programs and activities for and contribute to campus conversations in support of the Spartan Global Learning Initiative throughout the university
• Assist the Assistant Dean in making connections between global learning and major University strategic initiatives, such as the modernization of general education initiative, revision of undergraduate learning goals, and the Spartan Undergraduate Experience Strategy (SUES), for Center staff and for the campus community

Additional Functions

Contribute to the professional fields of education abroad and global learning, which may include attending regional, national and international conferences each year as necessary/appropriate/fiscally feasible, leading faculty and staff site visits, serving on advisory boards or committees of external organizations relevant to education abroad, global learning and/or higher education

Contribute to the field of education abroad and global learning, which may include producing scholarly publications, conducting outcomes assessment research, etc.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Masters

Desired Degree

Doctorate

Minimum Requirements

A master’s degree in a related field and 8 years of experience of increasingly responsible work in a professional education abroad context

International education experience, proven management and supervisory skills, experience working with faculty on program development, familiarity with program budgets and financial management, experience with contracts and agreements, education abroad/student advising experience, familiarity with intercultural learning and multiple forms of global learning such as Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), knowledge of curriculum integration concepts, successful promotion and outreach experience, experience contributing to university committees

Excellent communication and presentation skills, attention to detail, time management skills, and a high degree of professionalism

Desired Qualifications

• Doctoral or terminal degree
• Demonstrated scholarship in education abroad specifically or global learning generally
• Proven skills in outcomes assessment related to education abroad, familiarity with non‑European countries and cultures, proficiency in languages other than English, knowledge of enrollment management software, knowledge of higher education marketing and recruitment practices
• Experience living, working or studying abroad
• Teaching experience

Required Application Materials

Resume and cover letter

Department Statement

The Center for Global Learning and Innovation is a dynamic new hub that reinforces MSU’s commitment to internationalization.

The center brings together key programs and fosters collaboration across colleges and departments while enhancing opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to engage with global learning. With a focus on innovation, collaboration and faculty development, the center provides structure and resources to drive a holistic global learning strategy that will equip Spartans with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in a modern, globally connected society.

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life‑changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree‑granting colleges.