Associate Director - International Engagement

About the Opportunity

Role Overview

The Associate Director of International Engagement is responsible for facilitating and advancing Northeastern University’s international academic partnerships, with a focus on relationship management, delegation planning and engagement, academic program development, and compliance support. The role serves as a central point of coordination across the Offices of the Provost and Chancellor, Global Experience, Global Services, Enrollment Management, other central units, and the colleges to ensure partnerships move from exploration to execution in a structured, compliant, and sustainable manner.

Core Responsibilities

International Partnership Development & Relationship Management — 35%

• Serve as primary relationship facilitator for a portfolio of international academic partners, under the oversight of the Senior Vice Provost for Network Academics.
• Maintain ongoing engagement through regular communication, follow-ups, and issue resolution.
• Coordinate internally to align partnership activity with institutional priorities and leadership expectations.
• Identify and advance new partnership opportunities while sustaining existing relationships.

Delegation Visit Management — 20%

• Plan and manage senior-level international delegation visits in alignment with the Executive Vice Provost, Senior Vice Provost for Research, and Senior Vice Provost for Network Academics.
• Develop agendas aligned with academic, research, and strategic priorities.
• Coordinate participants, logistics, briefing materials, and follow-up actions.
• Ensure delegation visits result in defined next steps and sustained engagement.

Academic Program Development (MoAs, MOUs, Plans of Study) — 20%

• Support the development and drafting of Memoranda of Agreement (MoAs), Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs), Letters of Intent, and related partnership documentation.
• Coordinate the design and review of dual-degree, bachelors completion, and plusone admission articulation program curricula and plans of study with relevant academic units and university partners.
• Manage academic feasibility, sequencing, governance, and internal approvals.
• Serve as the central coordinator across colleges, legal, enrollment, and academic leadership.

Committee Coordination— 15%

• Manage the Exchange Visitors Program (EVP) committee review process for J-1 visiting scholar appointments under the oversight of the Senior Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs.
• Coordinate the External Programs Committee (EPC) committee convening, communication, and review process under the oversight of the Senior Vice Provost for Academic Programs.
• Support committee awareness and compliance with institutional policy, visa timelines, and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate committee communication with stakeholders and campus teams including OGS, colleges, HR, and hosting units.

Research Development Coordination — 10%

• Manage initial and high-level research discussions with prospective international partners in coordination with and under the oversight of the Senior Vice Provost for Network Academics and the Senior Vice Provost for Research.
• Coordinate research-focused meetings (both virtual and in person).
• Frame opportunities in alignment with institutional research priorities.
• Ensure clear handoff of research opportunities to the SVP for Research team for deeper development.

Other Duties and Cross-Functional Responsibilities — As Assigned

• Support professional licensure disclosure coordination (e.g., NC-SARA–related requirements) under Provost-level oversight.
• Contribute to special projects and time-limited initiatives aligned with Provost-level priorities.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred
• 5–7 years of progressively responsible experience in international higher education, global partnerships, or a related field
• Demonstrated experience managing international academic partnerships, institutional agreements, or cross-border program development
• Knowledge of international student and scholar visa regulations, including J-1 visa requirements and compliance
• Experience coordinating high-level delegation visits, executive meetings, or diplomatic engagements
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent initiatives across complex organizational structures
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to represent senior leadership professionally with internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to work collaboratively across academic, administrative, and legal units in a complex university environment
• Familiarity with dual-degree program structures, Memoranda of Agreement, and academic governance processes preferred
• Experience working with international research partnerships or sponsored research coordination a plus
• Demonstrated cultural competency and ability to build relationships across diverse global contexts
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and relevant collaboration and project management tools

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities

International Partnership Development & Relationship Management

• Serve as the primary relationship facilitator for a portfolio of international academic partners under the oversight of the Senior Vice Provost for Network Academics
• Maintain ongoing partner engagement through regular communication, follow-ups, and issue resolution
• Identify and advance new partnership opportunities while sustaining and deepening existing relationships
• Coordinate internally across colleges and central units to align partnership activity with institutional priorities and leadership expectations
• Manage the development and drafting of Memoranda of Agreement, Letters of Intent, and related partnership documentation
• Coordinate the design and review of dual-degree structures and plans of study with academic units, managing feasibility, sequencing, governance, and internal approvals

Delegation Visit Management & Research Coordination

• Plan and manage senior-level international delegation visits, including agenda development, participant coordination, logistics, briefing materials, and follow-up actions
• Ensure delegation visits result in clearly defined next steps and sustained engagement
• Manage initial high-level research discussions with prospective international partners in coordination with the Senior Vice Provost for Network Academics and Senior Vice Provost for Research
• Coordinate research-focused meetings during delegation visits and frame opportunities in alignment with institutional research priorities
• Ensure clear and timely handoff of research opportunities to the SVP for Research team for deeper development

Compliance, Cross-Functional Coordination & Special Projects

• Manage the EVP committee review process for J-1 visiting scholar appointments, ensuring compliance with institutional policy, visa timelines, and regulatory requirements
• Coordinate with the Office of Global Services, colleges, HR, and hosting units to address start dates, documentation, and visa-related risks
• Support professional licensure disclosure coordination, including NC-SARA-related requirements, under Provost-level oversight
• Serve as a central coordinator across the Offices of the Provost and Chancellor, Global Experiences, Global Services, Enrollment Management, and the colleges to ensure partnerships move from exploration to execution in a structured and sustainable manner
• Contribute to special projects and time-limited initiatives aligned with Provost-level priorities as assigned

Position Type

Academic Administration

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Compensation Grade/Pay Type:

109S

Expected Hiring Range:

$67,855.00 - $95,845.00

With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.