Associate Director and Dean of Faculty

Reports to: IES Abroad Rome Center Director (CD)

Scope of Duties:

The Associate Director and Dean of Faculty:

• Manages all academic aspects of the Center, including program development, course development, faculty recruitment and development, while working closely with the Center Director to maintain the highest level of academic excellence.
• Supports the Center Director in the day-to-day operation and management of the IES Rome Center. Operations include but are not limited to Finance and Administration, Budgeting and Accounting, Student Affairs, Housing, Crisis management, etc.
• Serves as the Acting Director in the absence of the Center Director, assuming full responsibility for leadership and operational duties during periods of personal or professional leave.
• Works with the Center Director on strategic issues relating to fostering continued growth powered by innovative academic programming and delivery while ensuring strict adherence to IES Abroad academic policies.
• Manages faculty recruitment, evaluation, and professional development, collaborating with the Center Director to select, prepare, and support faculty.
• Manages faculty evaluation processes, ensuring continuous feedback, peer review, and adherence to rigorous academic standards.

Responsibilities

Management of the Academic Programs

• Ensures the smooth and successful delivery of programs and courses, both within the IES Rome Center and in working with partner institutions for direct-enroll courses.
• Works to continuously enhance the coherent functioning of the academic department and other units as assigned by the Center Director, including setting the agenda and tasks for members of the academic team.
• Manages academic issues as they arise, develops and improves processes, and addresses human resources issues as they arise
• Oversees and manages Academics Department meetings and holds regular one-on-one meetings with team members.

Faculty Recruitment and Evaluation

• Works closely with the Center Director to recruit excellent faculty, and organize their training and onboarding process to ensure compliance with IES’ high standards of teaching.
• Leads the recruitment and hiring of faculty in alignment with IES Abroad's mission, ensuring that diverse, qualified, and experienced candidates are selected.
• Implements a faculty evaluation framework, conducting regular performance reviews, classroom observations, and providing feedback to support instructional improvement.
• Manages faculty development, organizing workshops and training to enhance teaching strategies, integrate innovative practices, and ensure adherence to IES Abroad’s academic standards.
• Works with the Center Director to align faculty hiring with curricular needs and strategic priorities, ensuring the continual development of high-quality educational programs.

Curricular Development and Faculty Leadership

• Takes the lead in academic strategic planning, including new course development, programs, and international partnerships.
• Works with faculty to update and enhance the curriculum, promoting experiential and intercultural learning.

Student Academic Issues:

• Works closely with the Center Director, and the Head of Student Affairs, to oversee the management of personal and academic student issues, with special emphasis on those impacting students’ academic standing and advising.
• Intervenes when necessary to ensure correct implementation of IES Abroad academic policies, and consults the Center Director, Cluster Dean, and Dean of Students when required, to ensure correct compliance.
• Will be responsible for collaboration in administrative and academic review processes.

Center Management:

• Works closely with the Center Director and Head of Administration and Human Resources in the management of human resources, budgeting, and general operational matters pertaining to the Academic Department.
• Organizes regular meetings to coordinate activities, and coordinates the planning of general procedural matters, including:
• Academic calendars and course schedules at all locations;
• Contents and format of Orientation and ENGAGE sessions;
• Student absences and grade reviews and appeals;
• Oversee visits to the Center by US partner institutions under guidance from the Center Director;
• Field trips and Field Studies (with associated budgetary impact).

Teaching:

• In order to keep abreast of developments in the field, maintain practical experience, and maintain a full understanding of the issues faced by faculty, the Associate Director and Dean of Faculty can teach a course in their subject area(s) at IES Abroad Rome, as long as other responsibilities allow this as decided by the Center Director. The maximum teaching load per semester will be one class. The compensation for teaching is included in the salary.

Administrative Work:

• Participates in program activities (orientation activities, farewell activities, conferences, extracurricular activities, as well as participates in the emergency phone rotation, etc.) as indicated by the Center Director; these may be during weekends and after office hours.
• Is available for consultations by faculty/staff/students during normal office hours, unless otherwise engaged (in teaching/class visits/meetings/outside visits).

Emergency Response and Crisis Management:

• Helps design and implement local crisis management plans in accordance with IES policy.

Qualifications

• PhD or terminal degree in a relevant field
• Familiarity with the US educational system
• At least 7 years teaching experience at the university level
• Excellent teaching evaluations
• Excellent communication skills, with native or near-native fluency in Italian and English
• Excellent computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite
• Academic Management experience
• HR management, leadership and teamwork experience in an intercultural environment
• High Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Anti-racism
• Must be able to lawfully accept employment in Italy at the time an offer of employment is extended
• Background check required

Other Skills desired:

• Knowledge of LMS systems

Salary:

• Commensurate with experience

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.