Director – Lewis Global Studies Center

If you have any questions about the position or our application process, reach out to us at [email protected].

Job Description

This position has an anticipated start-date of Spring 2026.

Job Summary

Serve as the strategic leader of the Lewis Global Studies Center (LGSC) at Smith College, advancing Smith's mission to prepare women for global citizenship and leadership. Shape and advance Smith’s global strategy initiatives by collaborating with campus-wide leadership and providing strategic management of education abroad, international students and scholars, and LGSC-affiliated programs; through this work, ensure academic integrity, strong partnerships, and alignment with institutional priorities. Represent the College on international issues and advise leadership on opportunities and risks. Collaborate with the faculty liaison and LGSC Steering Committee to integrate global learning across the curriculum, to deepen international and intercultural engagement for students, faculty, and staff, and cultivate an understanding of the global context of a Smith education. Oversee international risk management, student travel, and scholar engagement in campus life. Manage the LGSC staff and budget, as well as long- and short-term planning, operating procedures, and policy-setting for the Office for International Study (OIS) and International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO).

Take appropriate actions to support a diverse workforce and participate in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Essential Functions

Lewis Global Studies Center Administration: (35%)

• Provide strategic leadership for education abroad and international student and scholar services in close collaboration with LGSC staff. Offer executive supervision for the directors and managers of all units, overseeing the Center’s key operations to ensure that resources, procedures, budgeting, staffing, and impact evaluation are managed through sustainable and innovative approaches that advance Smith's mission. Ensure consistent communication of the Center’s mission across digital platforms.
• Oversee assessment strategies and outcomes for the regular review of education abroad and international student programming. Lead assessment of Smith's international travel policies, international education risks, and compliance with local fiscal, labor, and regulatory policies. Provide strategic leadership in evaluating Smith's international travel policies, identifying and mitigating international education risks, and ensuring full compliance with fiscal, labor, and regulatory standards.
• Work closely with the Associate Provost to advance Smith’s global strategy initiatives, manage all international agreements, contracts and MOUs, and ensure LGSC policies align with Smith’s HR, IT, Finance, and other administrative standards. Collaborate with the Provost’s Office to provide guidance and support to faculty seeking to develop international affiliations and global projects. Support the College in shaping institutional global priorities through collaboration with senior leadership, faculty, and campus partners.  
• In partnership with the faculty liaison, co-chair the LGSC Steering Committee to shape strategic planning for co-curricular and academic programming. Together with the faculty liaison, provide strategic leadership to ensure that key academic programs—such as the Interdisciplinary Studies Diploma Program and the Translation Studies Concentration—are effectively supported through cross-campus administrative offices. Oversee professional development workshops for faculty and staff on global learning, intercultural communication, risk management, faculty-led program pedagogy, and related topics.
• Manage external grants, projects, and gifts associated with the Center. Provide analyses and evaluate the effectiveness of office programs to improve programs and services.

Education Abroad: (20%)

• Supervise and collaborate with the education abroad staff members to develop and implement a comprehensive plan for education abroad programming. 
• Coordinate Smith's compliance with local labor, fiscal, immigration, and academic policies at the different education abroad sites.
• Oversee content and delivery of annual training and professional development to directors, especially around risk assessment and crisis management, in coordination with the Associate Director for Education Abroad. 
• With the Associate Provost, co-chair and support the faculty Committee on Study Abroad; review and develop policies that align the academic integrity of the study abroad programs with the College’s curriculum and learning capacities. 
• Collaborate with the education abroad staff to develop and implement assessment strategies and outcomes for the ongoing evaluation of study abroad program review, including financial analysis and key performance indicators for study abroad programs. 

International Students & Scholars: (20%)

• Provide strategic leadership for International Students and Scholars services in collaboration with the Associate Dean for International Students and Scholars.
• Coordinate with ISSO staff to design and implement strategic approaches to better integrate international students and scholars with campus-wide resources, including student life, academic learning, career development, and health services.
• Collaborate with the Office for Equity and Inclusion and other campus partners to develop initiatives and resources to address the unique needs of international students and scholars, supporting their success and sense of belonging within the broader college mission.
• Lead global risk assessment and crisis management support for the ISSO team when critical incidents or regulatory reforms impact international students and scholars; serve as a campus liaison in communications and outreach to campus constituents. 
• Provide leadership in developing and coordinating international faculty and staff onboarding procedures and policies, helping to liaise with appropriate campus administrative offices.
• Maintain current knowledge of federal immigration and Department of Homeland Security regulations relevant to higher education and the international student and scholar community.
• Offer support in the interpretation and implementation of F- 1 and J- visa compliance. Ensure that compliance with immigration and student visa policies are implemented in ways consistent with the values of Smith College and a liberal arts education. 
• Serve as Designated School Official (DSO) and Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) in SEVIS for F/J programs, in case of emergencies.

Management/Leadership: (15%)

• Manages one or more direct reports in regular and/or fixed-term role(s)
• Accountable for hiring, development/coaching, and performance-related decisions with support from Human Resources
• Makes informed decisions impacting the team and the college, including setting priorities, allocating resources, and problem-solving
• Effectively communicates expectations, provides feedback, and ensures alignment with department goals
• Addresses conflicts and challenges within the team to promote a positive work environment
• Formulates and implements policies and procedures 

Other Functions: (10%)

• Participate in college-wide strategic planning processes.
• Collaborates with the Five Colleges to enhance the global experience of the Smith community.
• Represent the College and the LGSC at international, national and regional meetings and conferences.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

All employees are expected to participate in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Minimum Qualifications (knowledge, skills, education, experience, certifications, licenses)

• 5+ years of supervisory experience.
• 12+ years of demonstrated experience in global risk assessment and crisis management required.
• Graduate degree in a related field.
• Must be knowledgeable of best practices in international education — especially in regard to study abroad and international students & scholars — and maintain an in-depth awareness of the changing landscape of higher education.

Preferred Qualifications

• International experience and fluency in a language other than English preferred.
• Prior experience in international currency budget preparations and financial analysis preferred.

Skills

Must exhibit sound judgment, creativity and vision, and a capacity to lead a complex program and its staff. Demonstrate ability to effectively develop and implement key projects, and to work collaboratively. Demonstrate ability to assess and ensure compliance with international labor, fiscal, immigration, and academic regulations as well as to mitigate risk in these areas. Must have strong organizational and supervisory skills, excellent speaking and writing skills, strong analytical and research skills, as well as the ability to work well with a diverse student population and with faculty and staff.

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About Smith College

Located in Northampton, MA, Smith College is one of the largest women’s colleges in the country and is dedicated to excellence in teaching and research across the liberal arts.  A faculty of outstanding scholars interact with students in small classes, as advisors, and through student-faculty research projects. The College is a member of the Five College Consortium with Amherst, Hampshire and Mt. Holyoke Colleges, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Students cross-enroll and faculty cross-teach across the Five Colleges.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 151B, it is the policy of Smith College to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact our recruiting team at [email protected].

As set forth in our mission and values, Smith College is committed to promoting a culture of  equity and inclusion among students, staff and faculty.  The College will not discriminate in employment on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or any other classification protected by law. Smith College is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination.