Department Summary:

The Division of Global Affairs advances Drake University's commitment to global engagement and intercultural understanding through initiatives, programs, and services. The division leads the university's efforts in fostering international partnerships, supporting global learning experiences both on and off campus, recruiting and supporting international students and scholars, and managing programs and events that bring a global perspective to the campus community. Global Affairs also leads the development and execution of Drake's Transnational Education strategy, a key area of focus for the institution. The Division of Global Affairs currently has nine employees and reports to the Office of the President.

Job Summary:

Drake University is seeking a dynamic and accomplished international education administrator to serve as the Global Affairs Specialist - Asia Programs at Drake University. This role will provide administrative management and functional support for the institution’s degree programs embedded within Asia. This position offers a unique opportunity to directly contribute to Drake University’s growth in the space of transnational education, creating access for students around the world to acquire a Drake degree. The GA Specialist will be a team member within the Division of Global Affairs and will report to the Chief Global Affairs Officer and Dean of Global Programs. The Division of Global Affairs reports to the Office of the President.

In 2024, Drake established the QU-Drake United College in collaboration with Qingdao University in Qingdao, China. This project offers dual-degree programs in China where undergraduate students earn both a Qingdao and a Drake degree through a jointly developed curriculum.

The GA Specialist will play a key role in managing day-to-day administration of the project. In addition, the Specialist will be the primary point of contact for partners in Asia and provide key project management support to ensure intended outcomes are met. The GA Specialist will work closely with Drake University leadership and the leadership of the QU-Drake United College in China to ensure a smooth-running collaboration that results in a cohesive, high-quality program.

Drake is actively exploring additional curricular projects in Asia. The GA Specialist for Asia Programs will have the unique opportunity to assist in the development of these programs and will ultimately provide day-to-day management for these projects in addition to QU-Drake United College in China.

Minimum Qualifications:

-Master’s degree or above in a relevant field

-At least five years of experience in international education or a related field

-Exceptional communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills

-Ability to work in a cross-cultural environment and manage international partnerships

-Project management experience

-Fluency in Mandarin Chinese

Preferred Qualifications:

-Familiarity with Asian higher education systems, especially Chinese

-Proven experience with dual or joint academic degree programs

-Experience working in an international academic setting

Job Duties:

• 55% - Provide administrative management, coordination, and ongoing functional leadership for Drake’s degree programs embedded within Asia. This includes program development and launch, accreditation processes, faculty hiring process support, visa support, delegation visits (inbound and outbound), pre-departure orientation for faculty, student registration, and more. - (Essential)
• 10% - Serve as primary point of contact for partners in China and other parts of Asia related to transnational education. - (Essential)
• 10% - Monitor the performance of the international degree programs, providing regular performance reports and updates to Drake University leadership. - (Essential)
• 10% - Travel internationally to review operations, assess progress and performance, and provide on-site support to Drake faculty and students. - (Essential)
• 5% - Serve as a point of contact for Drake faculty and staff living outside of the United States, addressing concerns, gathering feedback, and liaising with Drake campus leadership to ensure smooth communication and collaboration. - (Essential)
• 5% - Assist with management and oversight of program budgets and expenses. - (Essential)
• 5% - Perform additional duties as assigned by Chief Global Affairs Officer/Dean of Global Programs. - (Essential)

Salary & Benefits:

At Drake, we are proud to offer our employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents a comprehensive benefits package, which includes a wide range of core benefits, perks, and discounts. If you are exploring a job with Drake University, we invite you to spend a little time with our Drake Benefits Guide 2025. One of our popular policies provides a tuition waiver for Drake employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents. Drake also participates in not one, but two tuition exchange programs available to dependent children. Tuition Benefits