Position Title:

Director of Marist Italy

Department/School:

International Programs

Salary/Pay Rate:

$115,000 - $125,000

Job Summary:

A nationally recognized leader in international education, Marist University seeks the next director of its Marist Italy branch campus in Florence. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced educator eager to lead a unique, celebrated program toward new heights of distinction and innovation.

Reporting to the Associate Provost for International Engagement, the Director of Marist Italy will be responsible for fostering continuous improvement and revitalization of current academic offerings (which include four-year degree programs as well as year-long and semesterly study abroad curricula); developing new academic programs in partnership with Marist home campus leadership; and supervising academic and co- curricular program assessment. The Director serves as Marist’s primary liaison to our Italian partner Istituto Lorenzo de’ Medici (LdM), nurturing positive, effective, and culturally informed relations and dialogue.

The Director embodies leadership and takes responsibility for smooth operations of the Florence branch campus as a whole. This work includes ensuring high quality, best practice, and innovative academics, co- and extra-curricular programming, experiential and other high-impact programs, student life, housing, physical and mental health and wellness, risk assessment and crisis management, business operations, and representing Marist effectively within Florence’s international education community and Italy more broadly. The Director is also responsible for developing and elevating strong post-study abroad Italy programming and Florence alumni support on the home campus as well.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Ten or more years of experience in international education and study abroad, including supporting US American students’ academic, cultural, and personal adjustment to living in another culture.
• Fluency in Italian and English.
• Master’s degree in a relevant field.
• Deep knowledge of Italy and Italian culture and society, through academic study, lived experience, or a combination thereof.
• Active in the professional field of international education, for example through NAFSA and The Forum on Education Abroad. Active engagement with NAFSA’s Education Abroad Knowledge Community and/or The Forum’s Standards of Good Practice in Education Abroad.
• Strong supervision and teambuilding skills, intercultural management, and commitment to developing and leading dynamic and high performing teams toward a common mission.
• Exemplary intercultural skills and ability to establish and consistently enhance working relationships, discussions, and collaborations across cultures.
• Adaptability, energy, and commitment to running the strongest possible international programs.

Essential Functions:

• Provide leadership of Marist’s campus in Florence, including supervision of the Associate Director, Assistant Director, Student Services Coordinator, and Residence Life Coordinator. Together with the team, create, offer, and ensure ongoing improvements to Marist’s programs in Italy.
• Foster and nurture strong communication and relations with program partners and affiliates.
• Set and supervise workflow and projects by Marist Italy staff based on the Marist home campus in NY.
• Manage the Italy budget and set priorities for programmatic and other expenditure.
• Other duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications:

Doctorate in relevant field.

Required Application Documents:

Resume, Cover Letter, & Contact Information of 3 Professional References 

The anticipated start date for this position is July 1, 2026; however, the date is subject to change based on the search process and the operational needs of the department.

Benefits:

The position includes a comprehensive benefit package*. Benefits for this position include but are not limited to the following:

• 3 weeks of paid vacation. 4 weeks of paid vacation beginning in the 6th year of employment.
• Unlimited paid sick time.
• 14+ paid holidays per year.
• Medical, Dental & Vision insurance programs at a 15% employee / 85% employer contribution rate. Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Dependent Care (FSD).
• Life insurance.
• Generous short-term and long-term disability programs and workers compensation.
• 403(b) defined contribution plan:
  • First 6 years University contributes 7.5%, Employee contributes a mandatory 4%.
  • University contribution increases to 10.5% in year 7, and 12% after 15 years.
  • Employee contribution decreases to 1% in year 7. Remains 1% thereafter.
  • Typical eligibility requirements: 1 year of service and 1,000 hours with Marist University.
• 403(b) Tax Deferred Annuity – Roth option available. Voluntary, up to IRS maximum contribution.
• Tuition Benefits:
  • Up to 16 undergraduate credits per semester. Up to 18 graduate credit per academic calendar. Eligibility extends to employee, spouse, and dependent children under age 26.
  • University pays 100% tuition only.
  • Eligible dependents may be Reimbursed up to $2,000 per semester towards tuition at another accredited institution.

*Eligibility requirements including waiting periods and/or employee probationary periods may apply at the discretion of the University.

About the Department/School:

Explore. Experience. Excel.

About 50% of students study abroad during their time at Marist (compared to about 6% nationally), and these opportunities pave the way for an expansive, global education. With more than 75 program offerings, students can choose to study abroad for two weeks, a full semester, a year, or even earn their entire four-year degree overseas! From our Florence, Italy campus to destinations on six continents, students have memorable experiences that last a lifetime.

Marist is considered a national leader in international education, earning top annual rankings in the Institute of International Education’s Open Doors report, and winning the prestigious Senator Paul Simon Spotlight Award for our First-Year Abroad programs in Ireland and Italy.

About Marist University:

Founded in 1929, Marist is a comprehensive, independent four-year institution whose signature educational approach blends the liberal arts with pre-professional studies and emphasizes experiential learning to enrich classroom instruction. With campuses in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and Florence, Italy, plus over 70 programs offering a variety of international study, Marist is a portal to the world and is devoted to nurturing a welcoming, inclusive community. Through six schools offering almost 50 majors, Marist cultivates the intellectual growth and well-being of its more than 6,000 undergraduate and graduate students and encourages them to color outside traditional academic lines as they pursue coursework and personal experiences that provide valuable occupational expertise and reflect their individual passions. Marist has been acclaimed a top institution in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, the Wall Street Journal/College Pulse, Princeton Review, and others. To learn more, please visit https://www.marist.edu/about 

Type of Position:

Full-time

Classification:

Administrative (Exempt)

Months per Year:

12

Work Schedule:

M-TH 9 am – 5 pm; F 9 am – 3:30 pm; some evenings and weekends required.

Hours per Week:

37.5

Location:

The position is based in Florence, Italy. The Director will also travel extensively around Italy as well as spend time on the Marist home campus in NY and other international sites as needed.

Number of Position Openings:

1

Equal Employment Statement:

Marist University is committed to creating an inclusive workforce on our campus by ensuring that barriers to equal employment opportunity and upward mobility do not exist here. To this end, the University will strive to achieve the full and fair participation of all members of the Marist community.

Equal opportunity means employment, development, and promotion of individuals without consideration of race, color, disability, religion, age, sex, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, or veteran status unless there is a bona fide occupational requirement which excludes persons in one of these protected groups. The University will review its employment policies and procedures to ensure that barriers which may unnecessarily exclude protected groups are identified and eliminated. The University will also explore alternative approaches if any policy or practice is found to have a negative impact on protected groups.

Marist's policy of non-discrimination includes not only employment practices but also extends to all services and programs provided by the University. It shall be considered a violation of University policy for any member of the community to discriminate against any individual or group with respect to employment or attendance at Marist University on the basis of race, color, disability, religion, age, sex, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other condition established by law.