About Us

The Global First Year is a partnership between Florida International University (FIU) and Shorelight. The Global First Year combines English language instruction and support with academic instruction and acculturation. The mission of the program is to immerse first-year international students in the academic and cultural life of the university, help them integrate into campus life, and provide the support that increases their academic successes and likelihood in obtaining their FIU degrees.

Job Overview

The Managing Director (MD) develops and serves as the operational leader across programs for international students at Florida International University Global First Year. The MD’s primary responsibility is to drive enrollment goals and ensure a high-quality experience for all students in this specialized academic program. As the most senior member of the staff, the MD builds the partnership, provides strategic and ongoing leadership, and oversees day-to-day operations.

The successful candidate is a skilled relationship manager who can successfully lead an innovative educational partnership venture. The MD is committed to quality and to the specialized attention and guidance that international students require. The MD displays an entrepreneurial spirit to continuously innovate methods to advance the partnership, leading and inspiring others to do the same. Demonstrated experience in building positive and productive relationships is critical.  The MD is an excellent communicator and a strong strategic thinker with the dual capacity to see the big picture and attend to details. The MD must be a strong team player who can enthuse and galvanize colleagues around the institution’s mission, vision, and goals.

Essential Functions

Enrollment

• Serve as strategic leader of the partnership, including understanding and driving enrollment and diversity goals, driving annual strategy, and partnering with university leadership
• Partner with student recruitment leadership to understand competitive landscape and key market opportunities
• Lead all training on academic partnership programs and support regional recruitment activity through campus webinars, campaigns, and events

Student Experience

• Ensure that the program retains students and guides, prepares, and motivates them to degree completion
• Develop the strategy and programs required to deliver exemplary and differentiated customer service
• Ensure academic integrity and compliance
• Ensure systems and procedures are established and followed to maintain accurate records and reporting on all aspects of the program
• Analyze data and reports on the progress of the program and achievement of objectives

Campus Fiscal Operations

• Assume overall P&L responsibility, including budget management
• Contribute to financial planning and analysis to support strategic plan
• Lead new product development and optimization to support revenue growth and margin improvement

Relationship Management

• Partner with key stakeholders across the university to ensure effective communication, collaboration, and support of key initiatives and goals
• Foster external relationships and partnerships to enhance the profile and success of the program
• Represent the program internationally and domestically, including participation in marketing events
• Manage relationships with all key FIU and Shorelight stakeholders across acquisition, academics, student services, finance, and operations

People Management

• Recruit, develop, and retain team members to ensure productivity and engagement
• Engage in talent management activities such as goal setting, performance evaluations, stay interviews, development planning, and ongoing feedback to develop team members and achieve organizational goals
• Provide coaching, counseling, and corrective action (when necessary) to team members
• Foster a culture that reflects Shorelight’s and FIU’s values

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• 5+ years’ experience in management with strong team motivational skills
• Demonstrated P&L responsibility
• Proven ability to recruit, lead, motivate, coach, develop, and retain top academic and/or administrative staff
• Record of leadership delivering strategic, financial, and operational objectives
• Understanding of student support services for international students
• Direct experience within higher education or related educational services
• Demonstrated and exceptional interpersonal, communication, presentation, and negotiation skills
• Eligibility to work in and travel freely to and from the United States without sponsorship

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree
• Experience working within a joint venture and/or a highly matrixed organizational structure

Application Process

To apply for this position, please visit the Shorelight Careers page to submit an application with a resume and cover letter.

Background Check Required–Education, Criminal, Identity

FIU Global First Year is an Equal Opportunity Employer.