Job Posting Title:

Associate Director, ISSS

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Hiring Department:

Global Engagement

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

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FLSA Status:

Exempt from FLSA

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Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue

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Location:

UT MAIN CAMPUS

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Job Details:

General Notes

 advances UT Austin’s academic mission by leading, supporting, and coordinating the university’s international engagement efforts, fostering strategic partnerships on campus and abroad, welcoming a cadre of impressive international students and scholars to campus, and creating opportunities for students and faculty to engage with peers and institutions around the world. Texas Global is comprised of nine units, home to over 140 staff members, and continued growth of the organization is expected.

Purpose

Reporting to the director of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS), the associate director is a dynamic leader who shapes the experience of international students and scholars at every level, from regulatory compliance to community belonging. This role oversees the University’s compliance with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of Labor, and other applicable regulatory agencies, while also driving the intercultural programs and initiatives that help international students and scholars thrive. The associate director leads a talented team, advances ISSS’s strategic vision, and serves as a visible champion for the international community across campus. Note: Application review will begin on July 15 and continue until the position is filled.

Responsibilities

Immigration Services and Compliance

• Serve as F-1 Designated School Official (DSO) and J-1 Alternative Responsible Officer (ARO); liaise with government agencies on policies and issues affecting the international community.
• Translate complex regulatory changes into clear internal policies and consistent advising practices across ISSS teams.
• Build staff expertise through ongoing training on immigration regulations, best practices, and University policies, empowering the team to advise with confidence and care.
• Maintain the integrity of student and scholar records across administrative databases, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Leverage technology to streamline immigration business processes and use data to continuously improve service quality and effectiveness.

Leadership and Supervision

• Lead the teams responsible for student advising, faculty and scholar services, and intercultural programs and initiatives. Supervise the assistant director of each unit, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous growth.
• Champion programming that builds community and belonging for international students and scholars, ensuring these experiences are integrated into the broader ISSS mission.
• Set a high standard for service by training staff in intercultural communication, topical expertise, and student-centered advising; actively invest in staff professional development.
• Represent the director at University meetings, as needed, and build strong partnerships across campus to amplify resources and advocacy for the international community.
• Collaborate with the director to develop and execute ISSS’s strategic vision.
• Manage ISSS operations in the director’s absence.

Communication and Outreach

• Serve as a trusted resource for academic departments and University units, proactively sharing guidance on federal regulations and their implications for specific colleges, schools, and units.
• Develop and deliver engaging training and informational sessions that equip the University community to better support international students and scholars.
• Ensure all ISSS communications -webpages, presentations, handouts, and publications - are clear, accurate, welcoming, and consistent with the Texas Global brand.

Team and Institutional Support

• Champion ISSS and Texas Global priorities by actively participating in strategic initiatives and community-building events.
• Drive innovation through collaborative participation in staff meetings and working groups focused on enhancing service delivery.
• Foster a sense of belonging by supporting and volunteering to staff programs that connect international students and scholars with each other and the greater University community.

Required Qualifications

Master's degree in international education, higher education administration, or a related field. Six or more years of progressive experience with U.S. immigration regulations in a university setting, including significant experience as a Designated School Official (DSO) and/or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO). Demonstrated experience supervising and developing professional staff. Demonstrated ability to design and lead intercultural programs and initiatives that foster belonging and community for international populations. Proficiency with administrative software and emerging technologies to improve workflows and deliver excellent service. Ability to lead with strategic vision, exercise sound judgment, and take initiative in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. Exceptional interpersonal, intercultural communication, and public speaking skills, with the ability to engage various audiences effectively. Excellent written communication skills with strong attention to detail. An equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate. Notice: Due to federal database access requirements, only U.S. citizens and permanent residents may apply for this position.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience preparing USCIS petitions, including Forms I-140, I-129, and other employment-based filings in a university context. Proficiency in a language other than English. Experience working, living, and/or studying abroad. Experience with and proficiency in Sunapsis. Experience with strategic planning, program assessment, or data-driven decision-making in a higher education context.

Salary Range

$88,000 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

Work in a shared office environment. Work around standard office conditions. This position is located in Austin, Texas.

Required Materials

• Resume/CV

• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• Letter of interest

Importantfor applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded.  Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

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Employment Eligibility:

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

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Retirement Plan Eligibility:

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

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Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

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