Interim Director, Oldenborg Center for Modern Languages and International Relations

Job Posting Location:

Claremont, CA

Job Posting Title:

Interim Director, Oldenborg Center for Modern Languages and International Relations

Job Description:

ABOUT POMONA COLLEGE: Located near Los Angeles, California, Pomona College is widely regarded as one of the nation's premier liberal arts colleges. Established in 1887, Pomona College is known for small classes, a challenging curriculum, close relationships between students and faculty, and a range of student research and leadership opportunities. Pomona is a member of The Claremont Colleges.

JOB PURPOSE:

The Interim Director of the Oldenborg Center for Modern Languages and International Relations manages the Oldenborg Center, offering programs that support global studies, language learning, and the College’s global engagement. This position is responsible for overseeing International Student and Scholar Services; coordinating student programs in the language immersion residence hall; overseeing language tables in the Center’s dining hall; and supporting the college’s Self-Instructed Language Program (SILP). The position hosts a speaker series (Oldenborg Luncheon Colloquium) and is responsible for hiring and supervising language residents.

The Oldenborg Interim Director is responsible for the direction and oversight of 13 employees, one or more student employees, and all of the activities and services provided by them in the Center for Global Engagement/Oldenborg. The position works in close collaboration with the Associate Director, Language Instruction, the Assistant Director for programming, the Assistant Director for International Student & Scholar Services, the Administrative Coordinator, 7 part-time Language Residents, and 2 part-time SILP coaches to provide services to campus students, staff and faculty.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Reporting directly to the Vice President and Dean of the College, the Oldenborg Interim Director works independently and collaboratively to perform the following essential duties and responsibilities:

Provide clear direction and oversight of all department activities in order to develop and achieve annual goals, including budgeting, planning and staff development.  Responsible for monitoring and evaluating direct reports, and overall staff performance and daily assignments.  Manage and oversee hiring and training of staff. Maintain an efficient, collegial, and proactive work environment within the Center and with collaborating departments.

Meet regularly and work closely with the Senior Global Fellow and other campus partners to provide creative, strategic planning leadership for future development of Oldenborg within the emerging Center for Global Engagement (CGE). Provide innovative change management expertise to support the team, forward thinking, and ongoing educational programming for the two-year transition period while the new CGE physical space is being built.

Ensure overall quality of residential hall programming, noon language tables, luncheon lecture series, educational outings, language resident assistance to language faculty, and other Oldenborg programming and events.

Provide support to instructor of record for conversation classes and SILP; and the Assistant Director of International Student and Scholar Services.

Collaborate closely and effectively with the rotating Oldenborg Faculty Fellow on the distinct annual projects assigned to the Center’s academic faculty partner.

Manage relationships with campus stakeholders (especially with College faculty, Division of Student Affairs, Facilities and Campus Services).

Collaborate with various units (e.g., Campus Life, Dining Services, Maintenance, Housekeeping) to ensure quality of residential component of Oldenborg programming.

Serve ex officio on the International and Domestic Programs Committee and the new Global Pomona Council.

Provide collaborative guidance to the Associate Director of Language Instruction who manages the relationship with Instructional Technology Services (ITS), especially ITG and Media Services and ensures the Foreign Language Resource Center (FLRC) equipment and Oldenborg classroom spaces (language resident lounges, international theater, OLC venue) are updated on regular basis.

Oversee the Center’s relationship with the Finance Office and HR.

Coordinate special projects/tasks/duties and provide assistance as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education: M.A. or Ph.D. in field related to international or intercultural education.
• Licenses/Certificates: A valid Class C driver’s license is required. 
• Experience: Demonstrated experience at a director or senior administrative level with staff supervisory responsibilities required, preferably within a field related to international and/or intercultural education. Desired experience with offices and organizations managing change and new initiatives. A background that combines international education administration with foreign language instruction or training is highly desirable. Candidates with experience in F and/or J visa compliance and regulatory work is helpful but not required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND CRITICAL SKILLS: This position must possess the knowledge, skills and abilities to be able to successfully perform the essential functions of the job or must be able to demonstrate how the essential functions will be performed (with or without reasonable accommodation) using other knowledge, skills and abilities not listed below.

Deploy professional skills in language program management, international education and language technology, in collaboration with colleagues, to best promote the College’s strategic interests.

• Demonstrate leadership in an educational capacity, preferably with regard to language instruction & pedagogy (not required).
• Know how to plan and coordinate workshops, orientations, colloquia, and events.
• Possess a strong interest in international, cross-cultural, economic, and political issues as they relate to students’ programs of study.
• Possess strong intercultural communication skills.
• Can comfortably work in a vibrant residential college setting with students, faculty, and staff from a variety of educational and cultural backgrounds.

Demonstrate effective, accurate and clear communication with excellent verbal, written, interpersonal, reading, and leadership skills to supervise, facilitate, motivate and inspire a highly diverse group of employees, student employees, (faculty, students, alumni, volunteers, community partners, and stakeholders).

• Demonstrate professional discretion in communicating with students and faculty.

Operate computers with basic Microsoft Office software (such as Word, Excel, Outlook, Access, and PowerPoint) and associated professional software.  Demonstrate understanding of the use of technology/devices/equipment in assessing and improving center systems and processes to achieve annual goals and maintain confidentiality.

Handle all activities and highly confidential information with patience, discretion, good judgment, courtesy and tact while working with people from a wide variety of backgrounds.

Prioritize and perform multiple projects/tasks, meet deadlines/timelines, respond to others in a timely manner, and work both independently and as a collaborative member of the College with a high standard of integrity and ethics, in support of the College’s strategic vision and the division’s/department’s annual goals.

Use exceptional organizational, time management and presentation skills to complete work with accuracy and a keen attention to detail.

Operate the College’s vehicles safely for campus-related work and meet all insurance-related requirements.

REQUIRED HOURS:  This is a full-time position with regular hours from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Occasional evening, weekend, and holiday hours may be required for special events and Language Resident orientation. Some travel may be necessary. Work hours may vary based on the needs of the College or department.

ADDITIONAL POSITION DETAILS:

The rate for this role is between $115,000 - $125,000 with a competitive benefits package. Initial appointment is for one year, with the possibility of renewal, not to exceed a total duration of two years.The specific factors that the College will consider when offering a salary to an individual will include, but not be limited to: education, training, relevant prior experience, and performance in prior roles. All staff positions are ineligible for visa or permanent resident card sponsorship. As a California employer, Pomona College requires all employees to be residents of California.

ADA/OSHA: This job description defines the essential job duties of this position.  The College expects that employees hired for this position can perform the essential functions of this job without imposing risk of substantial harm to the health or safety of themselves or others.  It may also include marginal functions, generally defined within Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

DISCLAIMER: This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification.  It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this position.  When duties and responsibilities change and develop, the College will review this job description and make changes of business necessity.