CEPA is excited to open the search for a qualified candidate to join our team as the Vice President for University Relations and Development. This position is full-time and based in Europe – either at the CEPA Offices in Germany or France with the option to work remotely.

Position Summary

As our Vice President for University Relations and Development, you are a highly knowledgeable and capable leader in a senior management role. You will take a hands-on approach to providing leadership and oversight of all study abroad programs and partnerships.

You will report to the CEO and work closely with the Operations, University Relations, Accounting, and Marketing team members.

You are a creative and committed leader who can advance CEPA’s academic and cultural programs and are dedicated to study abroad and environmentally sustainable initiatives. This is an exciting opportunity to become part of a dynamic and vibrant organization, with a forward-thinking team and a broad network of long-standing, personal partnerships with university and study abroad professionals, mainly in North America.

The position includes travel within Europe and between Europe and North America. It also includes periodic facilitation of faculty seminars, workshops, webinars, and international travel to represent CEPA at annual conferences in the US.

Responsibilities 

• Provide leadership in a highly collaborative and supportive manner that promotes an atmosphere of collegiality and accountability for continuous program development.
• Ensure the ongoing development of quality academics and a positive participant experience in all CEPA study abroad programs, including faculty-led customized group programs, and semester and summer programs for individual students.
• Cultivate existing partnerships, build new professional relationships with university partners, and increase CEPA’s visibility in the field of international education.
• Be a point of contact for CEPA partners, particularly where these relate to academic matters.
• Work with staff, faculty, and administrators from CEPA’s partner network to develop, review, and evaluate study abroad activities.
• Provide leadership in planning, conceptualizing, and implementing new and custom programs for faculty and students that reflect the learning outcomes and goals of the faculty leaders.
• Serve as a liaison to CEPA Foundation’s Academic Advisory Board.
• Stay current on higher education international education/study abroad trends and literature and identify relevant issues and development opportunities for CEPA.

Please note that the above list of responsibilities is not comprehensive but generally demonstrates the areas of responsibility

Qualifications

Education and Experience

Master’s degree or higher and at least 5 years of experience in higher education directly related to international education and study abroad development and programming required. Experience managing professional staff. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

• Background in teaching, curriculum development, experiential education, and/or intercultural cross-cultural exchange.
• Knowledge of North American higher education systems, current trends, best practices in study abroad, and international education.
• Experience developing, implementing, and evaluating study abroad programs for North American college-level students.
• Fluency in English and an advanced level of either German and/or French language skills are required to effectively communicate with our multilingual team members, whose common language is English.
• Excellent written, presentation, interpersonal, business, and negotiating skills.
• Demonstrated ability to:
  • establish priorities, manage shifting priorities, and handle numerous time-sensitive projects with multiple deadlines.
  • make strategic decisions.
  • manage conflicts and solve problems.
  • work with professional colleagues with diplomacy and tactfulness while maintaining effective collaboration, trust, teamwork, and respect.
  • provide academic, managerial, and motivational leadership while fostering a positive work environment.
  • generate and foster innovative and creative ideas.
• Ability to travel locally in Europe and/or internationally, with occasional overnight travel.
• Experience with complex and varied budgetary models and working with foreign currencies to develop and manage budgets.
• Experience with health, safety, international risk mitigation, and crisis management.
• Computer proficiency, including skill in using Microsoft 365
• Experience with social media, website maintenance, and newsletter software are advantages.

Compensation:

Compensation aligns with the responsibilities and expectations of the role, the qualifications and experience of the candidate, and will be adjusted according to European standards.

Starting Date:

Negotiable

Questions? 

If you have any questions about the position, please contact CEPA’s Executive Director, Uli Leibrecht.