Group Director (Director of Immersion Language Programs)

The Group Director is responsible for a designated group of two to six languages (organized into Language Communities) of the 15 language and cultural immersion programs for youth, families and adults offered by CLV. The Language Training Center Group Director covers eight languages, including Persian Farsi. Each Group Director is responsible for multi-language program types for Pre-K learners, educators, school groups and corporate/government employees. Each Group Director works collaboratively with the deans and/or Language Community (LC) representatives in their respective language grouping to address three strategic plan priority areas: (1) enrollment marketing and retention; (2) program quality; and (3) customer relations, including participant, parent, staff, donor, alumni, educational partners and teachers. Each Group Director has pan-CLV administrative areas of concentrated focus (delineated in each individual job description). Other areas of focus may emerge in discussion with the LC leadership teams and the Executive Director.

Each Group Director is focused on program quality and fulfills overarching administrative team duties in areas of marketing and achieving enrollment goals, budgeting and financial management, program and staff development, and thought leadership. The four Group Directors collaborate to ensure consistency of program quality and staff development across the organization, supporting program innovation in each Language Community and program area. They facilitate cross-fertilization of ideas across all LCs. They are responsible for coordinating and integrating each LC’s priorities with the year-round activities of all administrative and operational departments. The Group Director reports to the Executive Director.

Program offices exist in Bemidji, Minn; Moorhead, Minn.; and Minneapolis, Minn. Please note that there is significant travel to and expected short-term residence in Bemidji during peak summer season (June/July/August), regardless of program office location during academic year.

Minimum Qualifications:

1. M.A. or equivalent degree (not restricted to any particular discipline).
2. Professional-level proficiency in English and high proficiency in at least one other world language. (Note that the latter does not need to be a language currently offered by Concordia Language Villages.)
3. Evidence of international academic and/or professional experience (study, work or life abroad; more than travel). Should be a current passport holder.
4. Proven management experience; minimum of 5-7 years.
5. Demonstrable evidence of knowledge of and experience with marketing and/or enrollment management, or be prepared to readily acquire skills in this critical area of responsibility,
6. Prior leadership role in an experiential learning environment related to K-12 language-cultural immersion, preferably with a global education component, to be an effective “voice of the Villages.”
7. Eligibility to be employed legally in the United States, or to attain eligibility.
8. Sympathy with the mission of a liberal arts college affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Desired Skills
1. Management skills and collaborative mindset that facilitates ability to perform well in a decentralized organization and in a work environment that values differentiated leadership styles.
2. Budget and financial acumen, preferably in a non-profit, enrollment-driven organization.
3. Creative flexibility that complements and advances an innovative organizational culture.
4. Strong oral and written communication skills that lend ability to be a strong advocate on the national stage.
5. Cross-cultural skills to bridge languages and cultures that currently comprise the three language groups and to facilitate the interface with internal and external partners.

Preferred Qualifications:
1. Prior experience in residential learning environment.
2. Prior leadership role at CLV.
3. Exposure to fundraising and alumni relations.
4. Proficiency in a world language beyond English that is one of the other 14 languages offered by Concordia Language Villages.

For more information and to apply, please visit http://hr.cord.edu/postings/4994. Concordia College is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Criminal background check required.