Director, Study Abroad Programs – San Jose, Costa Rica

– GENERAL DESCRIPTION
– The Director of Study Abroad Programs is responsible for ’s international study abroad programs, including: Volunteer Abroad, International Internships, TEFL Certification, Native Spanish Program, Adventure & Culture, Gap Year, and more.

The Director of Study Abroad Programs leads the international programs business and ensures excellent client service and program management.

The Director works closely with international clients providing in-country support, project organization, class scheduling, housing, travel, and responding to any other needs that program participants have.

The Director is also closely involved with partner management, including regular communication with both international and local partners.

– PRIMARY RESPONSBILITIES –
– Work at improving and advancing ’s International study abroad programs.

– Increase enrollment into ’s international programs.

– Deliver excellent client service; and driving the philosophy of “great client service” within the International Programs Team.

– Lead the identification and development of new volunteer projects and internship placements.

– Lead the sourcing and development of host families and other accommodations for international clients.

– Recommend travel and tourism services—trekking, tours, and other travel and adventure programs.

The Director is in charge of client and program management, including: – Airport pick-up – Orientation and welcome – Sales and client service – Site visits and problem-solving – Coordinating donations and aid – Housing support and problem solving – Sending emails, answering phones, and updating the CRM system – Scheduling: Volunteers, Spanish classes, family-stays – Travel details (Flights, hotel, arrival, departure, etc.).

There are several reports and administrative tasks the Director is responsible for on a regular basis using Excel: Monthly program registration, Weekly Arrivals, Families & Beds, Spanish class schedule, and participant feedback summary.

The Director is also involved with collecting payments, invoicing, and proactively liaising and working with the Academic and Accounting teams.

– TEAM MANAGEMENT –
The Study Abroad Programs Team consists of the Director and a team of 5-7 people, including 4-6 Field Managers and a Client Service Manager.

The Director is responsible for organizing, leading, and motivating the International Programs Team to achieve business results and annual objectives.

The Director is part of the in-country Executive Team and reports to the Country Manager.

Field Managers— Field Managers provide overall program management for all of ’s Volunteer Abroad and International Internship programs.

With respect to volunteers, Field Managers work to ensure program participants are busy and productive at their projects—that they’re engaged and actively working at their placements.

Resources include some limited funding, volunteers, and the creativity and organizational skills the Director and Field Managers bring to the project sites.

Client Service Manager— The Client Service Manager is an “inside person” who works to deliver daily client service to all clients and ensure excellent, overall program management.

The Client Service Manager works closely with international clients providing in-country sales, client service, housing, travel, and all other ongoing support required.

Development Work— The Director meets with and assesses new and existing volunteer project sites for suitability to host international volunteers and to work with Máximo Nivel.