Manager, US Institutional Relations

Position: Manager, US Institutional Relations, CIEE Study Abroad

Reports to: Director, Strategic Partners

Department: Institutional Relations

Location:  US Remote

Who we are:

CIEE is a nonprofit study abroad and intercultural exchange organization that transforms lives and builds bridges between individuals and nations through study abroad and international exchange experiences that help people develop skills for living in a globally interdependent multi-cultural world. 

Why work with us:  

• You will change the world. CIEE builds bridges between people, countries, and cultures. We help young people participate in high-quality international exchange and study abroad programs that bring the world together. We change lives; our alumni change the world. Be part of the change!
• You will receive a competitive total rewards package. CIEE provides all employees with exceptional benefits offerings that increase total compensation by up to 25%. Our top-tier benefits include:
  • Paid time off and Parental leave
  • Gym Reimbursement Program
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Short-term & Long-term Disability
  • 6 floating Fridays (based on our eligibility rules)
  • CIEE Study Abroad Program discounts
  • 403(b) Retirement Plan with employer contribution
  • Insurance Coverage (life, travel, medical, dental, and vision) 
  • Flexible Spending Accounts/Health Savings Accounts (medical and dependent)
  • Voluntary Benefits (identity theft protection, pet insurance, accident, and critical illness)
• You will be part of a fast-paced, international, and collaborative team of professionals. CIEE operates the largest nonprofit network of study-abroad locations, with facilities and staff in 30 countries. Additionally, we help international participants from over 140 countries come to the USA each year. Committed to excellence and solving whatever problem the world throws at them, CIEE professionals work on international teams and are dedicated to advancing our almost 80-year-old mission to make the world a more peaceful place. 

Who you are:

The Manager, Institutional Relations (MIR), serves as the primary liaison between CIEE and an assigned portfolio of institutions of higher education. The MIR’s primary goals are to understand each college’s needs related to international education and study abroad, present CIEE’s full suite of study abroad programs and services to the institution, and meet and or exceed enrollment targets for all CIEE study abroad programs and services (e.g. study abroad, internships, custom programs, faculty training, Pre-College Programs, insurance, etc). A successful MIR will be a proactive problem solver with excellent interpersonal, communication, and sales skills. This position will require domestic travel and some international travel. 

What you’ll do:

• Manage CIEE’s current relationships with study abroad staff, faculty, and other administrators at partner institutions with the goal of increasing enrollments and overall revenue at those institutions.
• Strategize with institutional partners to increase enrollment of students in study abroad programs.
• Develop and sustain new relationships with Study Abroad Office staff, faculty, and other institution administrators in your portfolio.
• Collaborate with study abroad partners to expand CIEE’s brand presence and working relationships with all institutional influencers and stakeholders outside of the study abroad office.
• Strategize with institutions to increase and diversify study abroad participation.
• Function as primary CIEE contact for all institutions in the portfolio using regular phone, email, and in-person interaction.
• Create and host student-facing activities, faculty meetings, staff trainings, and other outreach activities as assigned.
• Represent CIEE at study abroad events, pre-departure orientations, and other institutional engagements throughout the portfolio.
• Strategize with the Assistant Director, Institutional Relations to plan and implement an annual strategy for achieving goals.
• Collaborate with various internal departments to leverage their expertise for customer support and sales calls with key institutions. Represent CIEE at national and regional professional conferences including NAFSA, Forum, and CIEE’s annual conferences.
• Maintain detailed records of all activities related to institutions in the designated portfolio and manage institutional profiles in CRM (SalesForce).
• Develop fluency with data visualisation software in driving evidence-based partner support, strategy, and decision-making.
• Provide input on marketing strategies for institutions in the assigned portfolio and conduct market research, as necessary.
• Manage personal travel budget appropriately.
• Hours may be uneven and fall outside of the typical 9-5 range. Extensive seasonal travel may be required - as much as 2-4 days/week, during two separate 2-3 month periods aligning with the Fall and Spring college semesters. Roughly 95% of travel is domestic, 5% is international.
• Meet individual and team goals for enrollments and approved programs. Other goals will be assigned. These goals are both seasonal and annual. Goals and targets are evaluated and adjusted on a routine basis.
• Other duties as assigned.

Accountability

• Must achieve individual and team sales goals set by department and company leadership. Variable compensation is based on achievement.
• Overall ownership of the CIEE-partner relationships with the assigned institutions in portfolio.
• Work with Director to design and implement a sales plan for portfolio to increase enrollments and approved programs.
• Respond in a timely manner to all questions, issues, problems, and needs of advisors, faculty, parents, colleagues, and any other constituents.
• Represent CIEE with integrity, excellence, transparency, and in the spirit of its mission.

Management

• Manage a team of Admissions Advisors to support your assigned portfolio of institutions.
• Drive strategy and implementation for direct student application support and on-campus student engagement for the Admissions Advisor(s) to take forward.
• Manage employee performance and productivity by setting clear expectations and goals, reviewing activity reporting, and conducting performance. reviews, observing and giving feedback, and addressing performance issues as well as providing professional development.
• Supervise, manage, and evaluate the Admissions Advisor(s) in a highly collegial, collaborative, and consultative manner through regular one-on-one meetings.
• Manage the on-campus strategy for Campus Ambassadors at institutions in your portfolio. 
• Meet with Campus Ambassadors on a regular basis to drive strategy and ensure Ambassadors have accurate messaging, are following requirements or expectations of the study abroad office, understand specific procedures or processes for study abroad at their institution, and to review Ambassador activity and engagement plans based on the Weekly Tasks they will have been assigned by the Campus Outreach Manager.

What you’ll bring:

• Bachelor’s degree or international equivalent.
• High energy, positive, proactive, team-oriented, problem-solver.
• A minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience in consultative sales of intangibles or services. Sales to or within institutions of higher education, personal study abroad or international experience, and experience in international education are preferred attributes.
• Individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, who will bring to CIEE a variety of perspectives and skills, are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Consultative sales skills: Must have the proven ability to meet targets.
• Customer service: Must have strong customer service skills and the ability to resolve issues fairly, expediently, and cost-effectively while continuing to manage relationships.
• Communication: Superior written, verbal, public speaking, and phone skills. Must be able to effectively communicate with students, parents, faculty, employees, and industry partners; individually and in groups.
• Organization and administration: Must have strong administrative and organizational skills, and be able to ensure the effective coordination of a variety of activities.
• Academia: Must have a familiarity of U.S. academic institutions and their culture. Must have the ability to function well in a complex institutional framework, have a high tolerance for ambiguity, flexibility, and the ability to respond quickly and appropriately to changing circumstances.
• Technology: Must have fluency in day-to-day computer use including the Microsoft Office Suite and a willingness to use technology to improve performance. Experience in MS Excel required.
• Travel: Must be willing and able to travel, up to 40%.
• Demonstrated interest in higher education preferred.
• Valid US driver’s license.

CIEE believes that professionals with varied backgrounds bring unique approaches and ideas to solving problems and advancing our mission to bring the world together. Qualified candidates from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Due to federal regulations and CIEE policies, a background check, reference check, and education and employment verification will be conducted as conditions of employment.