Associate Director for International Students

About the role

The Office of International Programs and Services (OIPS) strives to encourage global awareness by promoting the integration of international students, researchers, and faculty into the campus community. The office provides guidance to students and scholars studying and working at George Mason University in immigration and employment, assists with adjustment issues, and fosters cross-cultural understanding through programs highlighting global themes.

Responsibilities

• Supervision and Leadership: Provides leadership and oversight of the F-1 advising and regulatory team, including direct supervision of current International Advisors and Immigration Specialists, management of cyclical performance goals, and clear communication of expectations; Serves as a key partner to the Executive Director on supervisory and regulatory matters, including review and implementation of policies and procedures, and provides operational leadership and support of the team in the absence of the Executive Director; Provides in-person support to the team and unit as needed, including providing direction, leading and participating in meetings, and ensuring coverage of office functions when staffing is limited; Acts as a primary communication bridge between leadership and staff, and collaborates with Associate and Assistant Directors, the SEVIS Coordination Team, and Office Manager on workflow and problem resolution; Provides training to new and current staff on regulatory matters and unit procedures, and contributes to development and documentation of SOPs for the unit; Fosters a collaborative and supportive work environment that promotes employee well-being, engagement, and retention; Supervises staff by setting clear performance expectations, providing regular feedback, and addressing performance issues to support employee engagement, accountability, and retention; Encourages and supports ongoing professional development opportunities for all staff, ensuring they have the tools and training needed to succeed in their roles; Organizes workflow and ensures that employees understand their duties or delegated tasks; Sets clear performance expectations, goals, and deadlines aligned with unit, divisional, and university strategic plans; Communicates expectations effectively, monitors employee productivity and development, and provides continuous feedback and coaching to support staff growth and accountability; Prepares and conducts timely performance evaluations, and maintains accurate records of employee performance, feedback, and disciplinary actions, ensuring adherence to legal and university policies and procedures; Collaborates with University Life divisional partners/stakeholders to address performance concerns;
• Student Advising: Provides comprehensive advising to nonimmigrant students on matters related to immigration status, including interpretation of federal regulations, maintenance of status, and benefits such as employment authorization; Supports students’ cultural adjustment and academic success through proactive guidance, problem-solving, and referrals to campus resources; Addresses complex and sensitive cases, exercising sound judgment and ensuring compliance with institutional and federal requirements.
• Compliance Records Management: Provides oversight of record updates to government agencies, and contributes to documentation and collaborative processes necessary to support the biannual SEVP recertification, ensuring adherence to federal regulations governing nonimmigrant students; Offers guidance to academic units, administrators, and other campus stakeholders on issues related to F-1 students; Develops and implements informational sessions and materials for students, unit staff, and the campus community to support regulatory compliance, retention, and career readiness.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Experience as a Designated School Official (DSO), including advising students on complex, sensitive, or high impact immigration matters and its intersection with academic issues;
• Experience working collaboratively within a unit and across departments in a professional setting;
• Experience handling sensitive or confidential information;
• Experience evaluating and improving processes, workflows, or service delivery to enhance efficiency, compliance, and user experience;
• Experience developing and presenting clear and effective written and verbal communication;
• Skill in cross-cultural and interpersonal communication;
• Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities, manage time effectively, meet deadlines, solve problems, and adapt to changing demands in a fast-paced environment;
• Ability to interpret complex federal regulations and apply them to specific policies and cases involving nonimmigrant students;
• Ability to work independently while demonstrating effective collaboration and teamwork skills;
• Ability to maintain flexibility in work schedule, including performing responsibilities outside of standard business hours as needed to meet service goals and objectives;
• Ability to analyze processes and implement improvements to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and service delivery.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience as Responsible Officer/Alternate Responsible Officer for J-1 advising;
• Experience supervising staff from a wide variety of backgrounds, and implementing effective performance management and supervisory practices in a fast paced and dynamic environment;
• Experience developing and delivering training and facilitating knowledge transfer on policies, procedures, or regulatory requirements;
• Experience building collaborative relationships with colleagues and stakeholders across units, departments, or external organizations to support shared objectives;
• Knowledge of best practices in student services and development in a higher education setting;
• Knowledge of systems and technologies used in International Student and Scholars Services (ISSS);
• Skill in data management and reporting.