Wellesley College is in search of a Resident Director for their program in France, which is based in Aix-en-Provence. The position will begin on July 1, 2024, for the 2024-2025 academic year. This role is employed by the Association Wellesley-in-Aix, a registered non-profit organization based in France, and reports to the President of the Association or their designee.

The Wellesley-in-Aix (WIA) program is a well-established program that aims to fully immerse students in the language and culture of France. Students who participate in the program must have completed the equivalent of at least five semesters of college-level French. They will take their courses at Aix-Marseille Université (AMU), Institut d’Etudes Politiques (Sciences-Po Aix), and also have access to a selection of 4-5 in-house courses exclusively reserved for WIA students.

The main responsibility of the Resident Director will be to provide consistent and compassionate support to students as they study and live in France. This includes assisting them in adapting to the new academic environment and community. The Resident Director will be passionate about fostering intercultural communication and will support students in their residential life and academic pathways, while also working towards expanding program learning goals by promoting new initiatives. Additionally, the Director will strive for an inclusive and diverse vision for education abroad and will organize student activities, such as excursions, trips, and cultural programming, that are relevant to a diverse student body, including but not limited to First Gen, International, LGBTQ+, students with disabilities, and BIPOC students.

The ideal candidate for the position will have experience in student program design, logistics, and implementation. They should also have the ability to coordinate marketing and promotion efforts to meet program goals, as well as possess essential administrative skills related to the effective delivery of education abroad. The Resident Director should have excellent attention to detail, be comfortable with administrative management and student affairs, and have a strong understanding of both the US and French educational systems and academic cultures. The position is based full-time in Aix-en-Provence and requires the appropriate permit/authorization to work in France.

As the on-site representative of Wellesley College in France, the Resident Director will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the program, including student safety, general oversight, and specific administrative and academic duties. They will work closely with the Wellesley College French, Francophone and Italian Studies Department.

The responsibilities of the Resident Director fall into four main categories:

Academic:

– Organizing the academic program in Aix and Marseille.
– Acting as the primary academic advisor for program students.
– Maintaining contact with the program’s instructors and professors and administrators at AMU and Sciences-Po-Aix.
– Collaborating with the Wellesley College French, Francophone and Italian Studies Department to solicit and review proposals for in-house courses.
– Monitoring final grading and reporting grades to the Wellesley College Registrar.
– Maintaining contact with relevant faculty and administrators at Wellesley College and other home institutions attended by students.

Student Life:

– Organizing the cultural program in Aix.
– Maintaining regular contact with students and being available to discuss personal and cultural adjustment issues.
– Assisting students in finding extracurricular activities.
– Serving as an on-call emergency contact, available 24/7 on rotation with other staff members.
– Seeking assistance from relevant resources based on student needs (e.g., physicians and counselors).
– Briefing students on relevant safety and preparedness topics.

Administrative:

– Acting as a liaison with Wellesley College, including regular contact with the French, Francophone, and Italian Studies Department, the Office of International Studies (OIS), the Office of Finance and Administration, and the Provost’s Office. Additionally, visiting the Wellesley College campus once a year.
– Supervising the maintenance of the Centre Wellesley-in-Aix villa, including soliciting bids and monitoring necessary repairs.
– Taking responsibility for on-site program facilities, such as paying taxes and ensuring compliance.
– Ensuring compliance with French law and maintaining appropriate legal and financial representation to meet those requirements.
– Overseeing the recruitment and onboarding process of host families.
– Submitting an annual report to the Wellesley College administration on the program.
– Maintaining a handbook of administrative tasks.
– Updating the student handbook as necessary.
– Selecting, hiring, and mentoring teaching faculty in Aix with the guidance and approval of the WIA committee.
– Preparing and updating labor contracts for professors and personnel.
– Managing personnel, including the housing coordinator and tutor.
– Occasionally visiting US partner schools to recruit students and engage with study abroad advisors and faculty.
– Participating in student recruitment presentations and pre-departure orientations.

Finances:

– Taking responsibility for financial administration on-site.
– Meeting with the program’s accounting firm regarding payroll matters.
– Preparing the annual budget for submission to the WIA Association for approval.
– Authorizing expenditures, including payroll, in accordance with the approved budget.
– Approving all invoices and timesheets.
– Ensuring compliance with accounting and invoice payment procedures outlined by the Treasurer of the WIA Association.

For further details, please see the complete description in English and French here: [link to document]