Job Description

Duke University:

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Be You.

The Office of Undergraduate Education (OUE) at Duke University is seeking an experienced and visionary Director of Global Education to lead the Duke Global Education Office (GEO). In this leadership role, you will play and integral part in shaping the future of global learning opportunities for undergraduate students while advancing Duke's commitment to experiential education, intercultural learning, and academic excellence.

As Director, you will provide strategic, operational, financial, and organizational leadership for Duke's portfolio of global and domestic study-away programs. You will work closely with university leaders, faculty, students, and international partners to develop innovative educational experiences that prepare students to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world. This role offers the opportunity to influence institutional strategy, support global partnerships, strengthen student access and belonging, and ensure the continued success of one of Duke's most impactful educational programs.

You will join a collaborative and mission-driven team dedicated to providing transformational educational experiences that broaden perspectives, foster cultural understanding, and support student success both inside and outside the classroom.

Minimum Requirements

• Earned doctorate (Ph.D. or Ed.D.) with demonstrated relevance to global education, international education, higher education administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible leadership experience in international education.
• Experience leading international education programs with responsibility for personnel management, operational oversight, risk mitigation, and financial stewardship.
• Demonstrated experience developing, expanding, and sustaining successful study-away or international education programs.
• Experience negotiating partnerships, contracts, and agreements with domestic and international institutions.
• Experience navigating legal, compliance, risk management, and safety considerations associated with international programming.
• Proven ability to lead complex teams and organizational change initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications

• Eight+ years in the field of international education.
• Extensive knowledge of undergraduate global education and study-away program administration.
• Experience expanding global education opportunities in emerging or underrepresented regions.
• Demonstrated success managing complex budgets, growing revenue streams and program financial performance.
• Experience collaborating with faculty, academic leadership, student affairs professionals, legal counsel, and risk management partners.
• Experience with university developed offshore entities.
• Working knowledge of data analytics, assessment methodologies, CRM systems, advising technologies, and AI-enabled tools.
• Active involvement in professional organizations such as NAFSA: Association of International Educators, The Forum on Education Abroad, or similar organizations.
• Record of professional presentations, publications, or contributions to the field of international education.

Other Requirements

• Ability to respond to time-sensitive international incidents and emergency situations.
• Commitment to fostering inclusive, accessible, and culturally responsive learning environments.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed.
• Ability to work effectively across a complex and decentralized university environment.

Be Bold.

As the Director of Global Education, you will:

Lead Strategic Vision and Innovation

• Implement the strategic vision for Duke Global Education in partnership with senior university leadership and the Global Education Advisory Committee.
• Identify and launch innovative global and domestic study-away programs, partnership models, and experiential learning opportunities that align with university priorities and evolving student interests.
• Monitor international education trends and emerging opportunities to ensure Duke remains a leader in global learning.
• Foster a culture of innovation, responsiveness, and continuous improvement that enhances student, faculty, and partner experiences.

Direct Global Operations, Risk Management, and Compliance

• Provide executive oversight of GEO's compliance with U.S. regulations, international laws, Duke policies, host-country requirements, and accreditation expectations.
• Lead risk assessment, emergency preparedness, and crisis response efforts across the global education portfolio in collaboration with Duke's Office of Global Health and Safety.
• Serve as the primary liaison with legal counsel on contracts, institutional agreements, and partnership negotiations.
• Advise university leadership regarding significant legal, financial, operational, and reputational risks.

Oversee Financial Performance and Organizational Effectiveness

• Lead and develop a high-performing, geographically distributed team responsible for advising, program administration, marketing, faculty support, and student services.
• Establish operational priorities, staffing strategies, and workforce plans that support organizational effectiveness and long-term growth.
• Manage GEO's overall financial performance, including budget development, revenue forecasting, enrollment targets, pricing models, and profitability analysis.
• Develop strategies that increase revenue diversification and growth while maintaining affordability and access for students.

Strengthen Academic Programs and Student Success

• Oversee the full lifecycle of study-away programs, including program design, launch, evaluation, enhancement, and retirement.
• Ensure programs align with curricular goals, student learning outcomes, and institutional objectives.
• Direct credit-transfer activities, course approvals, registration processes, and international grade conversion practices.
• Advance student belonging, accessibility, intercultural learning, and educational outcomes through program design and advising services.

Build Partnerships and Advance Duke's Global Presence

• Recruit, support, and engage faculty leaders while reducing administrative barriers associated with program leadership.
• Cultivate collaborations across schools, academic departments, administrative units, and external partners.
• Represent Duke University at national and international conferences, professional organizations, and partnership meetings.
• Enhance Duke's reputation as a leader in global education through professional engagement, thought leadership, and strategic partnerships.

Choose Duke.

The Office of Undergraduate Education serves as a central partner in creating transformative learning experiences that help Duke students thrive academically, professionally, and personally. Through global education, experiential learning, academic support programs, and innovative initiatives, OUE plays a vital role in preparing students to engage thoughtfully with the world around them.

As Director of Global Education, you will have the opportunity to shape the future of international learning at one of the world's leading research universities. You'll work alongside talented faculty, dedicated staff, and ambitious students while fostering meaningful educational experiences across the globe. Your leadership will directly influence student success, institutional partnerships, and Duke's continued commitment to global engagement, innovation, and academic excellence.

Duke is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where people from all backgrounds can contribute, grow, and succeed. We encourage candidates who can help advance cultural competence, accessibility, and belonging within our global education programs and across the university community.